California's Wine Country featuring San Francisco, Sonoma and Napa Valley

California's Wine Country reveals its wealth of epicurean treasures on this 7 day Explorations tour. Enjoy a 2-night stay in San Francisco. Learn the secrets of champagne during a tour at Korbel. See olive oil freshly created. Meet an artisanal cheese maker who shares knowledge as well as fine cheeses. Stroll through the edible organic garden at COPIA, the American Center for Wine, Food and Arts, and among the old growth redwoods in Muir Woods National Monument. Sit back in a restored Pullman car on the Napa Valley Wine Train.

Highlights
Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Muir Woods, Napa & Sonoma Valleys, COPIA, Napa Valley Wine Train, Korbel, Bodega Bay, Glen Ellen

Collette Experience

  • Take time to walk through the home to some of the world's tallest trees at Muir Woods.
  • Spend 4 relaxing nights in the heart of California's wine country.
  • Enjoy an exquisite lunch aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train.
  • A cellar tour of Korbel teaches you the secrets of champagne making.

    • Details

    Tour Operator
    Collette Vacations
    Offer
    Offer valid through 2/28/2009
    Duration
    7 Days
    DayDestinationDescription
    Day 1San FranciscoSan Francisco, California: On this exciting tour you will experience the vibrancy of San Francisco and explore the beautiful countryside of the Napa and Sonoma valleys. Traveling through this world-renowned region, gain an understanding of wine culture and production through private discussions with vineyard experts and sample locally made food during culinary tours and tastings. Today you arrive in the stunning "City by the Bay", San Francisco. This wonderful city is celebrated for its colorful culture, breathtaking setting, temperate climate and picturesque waterfront.
    Day 2San FranciscoSan Francisco: This morning you will be met by a local guide for a sightseeing tour of the city. Highlights include the Twin Peaks, Seal Rocks and the Golden Gate Bridge. The remainder of the day is free to independently explore the best of what San Francisco has to offer. Ride the famed cable car, take a bay cruise, shop along the waterfront, or visit one of the cities' famous museums - the choice is yours! Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner on Fisherman's Wharf.
    Day 3Santa RosaSan Francisco - Napa Valley - Santa Rosa: Only a few miles north of San Francisco, across the famed Golden Gate Bridge in an isolated canyon, is the old-growth coastal redwood forest of Muir Woods National Monument, named for famed naturalist, John Muir. Stroll through 1000-year-old giant trees towering 260 feet high and find out why the sun seldom hits the ground! Continue your travels into the verdant Napa Valley. Long known as the epicenter of California wine and cuisine, this sun drenched valley features small towns nestled in the curve of the hills and vineyards and farms dotting the landscape. Upon arrival in Napa visit COPIA: The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts, where you will enjoy a private lecture on food and wine pairing and explore the cultural center and museum.
    Day 4Santa RosaSanta Rosa - Napa Valley - Sonoma - Santa Rosa: All aboard!! Arrive at the Napa Valley Station for a wine symposium and tasting before you board the Napa Valley Wine Train. The Napa Valley Railroad Company was founded in 1864 by Samuel Brannan. In 1885 the Southern Pacific Railroad Company purchased the line and it continued in operation for the next 102 years until sold to the Napa Valley Wine Train, Inc. in 1987. Today, the train offers a splendidly restored 1915 Pullman train that takes you through the beautiful Napa Valley. Enjoy an exquisite lunch aboard and see for yourself why this journey has been rated as one of the "20 Best Rail Experiences in the World." Later, travel to the town of Sonoma and enjoy some free time to explore Sonoma Plaza, a National Historic Landmark, framed with lovingly preserved adobe buildings housing unique shops and restaurants.
    Day 5Santa RosaSanta Rosa - Bodega Bay - Santa Rosa: Start your day with a visit to the Kendall Jackson Wine Center. Upon arrival, enjoy a tour of the winery and learn the process of winemaking from one of the staff at this world-famous wine center. Following the tour, enjoy a tasting before taking time to explore the beautifully manicured gardens. Next, travel to one of the most well-known champagne makers in the United States, Korbel. Enjoy a cellar tour to learn the process of making champagne followed by a tasting of select champagnes. Following this quintessential Sonoma experience, travel along the beautiful and rugged California coast to the quaint fishing village of Bodega Bay, made famous as the location for Alfred Hitchcock's movie "The Birds." Your day winds down as you return to your hotel traveling through Sonoma Valley's picturesque landscape lined with farms and vineyards.
    Day 6Santa RosaSanta Rosa - Glen Ellen - Santa Rosa: Spend the day exploring the flavors of Sonoma! Begin your day in the village of Glen Ellen. During your visit discover the step-by-step milling process of how olive oil is made. Following your tour, partake in a tasting and judge for yourself which one suits your palate. Next, learn about the art of chocolate truffle making during a "sweet" and informative stop. No visit to wine country would be complete without learning about wine's most favored pairing - cheese. Visit an artisanal cheese maker to learn about the process of making cheese, followed by a tasting of his wares. Stop at the Red Barn Store at Oak Hill Farm, a quintessential old-fashioned barn and farm stand, for the chance to purchase handmade wreaths, fresh flowers and organic produce grown right on the rolling fields of the farm. Tonight will be the highlight of your trip with a special dinner at one of the regions' finest restaurants surrounded by scenic Northern California landscape and acres of lush vineyards. Here you will toast your great trip to San Francisco and the wine country of California.
    Day 7Tour ConcludesSonoma Valley - Tour Concludes: Your tour ends in the Sonoma Valley this morning.
    Dates/Pricing
    DatePrice / DescriptionQuote
    April 17, 2009$1,999.00* (USD) / Land OnlyQuote
    May 08, 2009$2,049.00* (USD) / Land OnlyQuote
    July 17, 2009$2,049.00* (USD) / Land OnlyQuote
    August 07, 2009$2,049.00* (USD) / Land OnlyQuote
    September 04, 2009$2,049.00* (USD) / Land OnlyQuote
    September 18, 2009$2,049.00* (USD) / Land OnlyQuote
    September 25, 2009$2,049.00* (USD) / Land OnlyQuote
    October 09, 2009$2,049.00* (USD) / Land OnlyQuote
    March 12, 2010$2,049.00* (USD) / Land OnlyQuote
    April 23, 2010$2,049.00* (USD) / Land OnlyQuote
    Disclaimer
    Note
    Tour prices are Land Only rates based on per person double occupancy. Please call for triple or child occupancy rates. Taxes and fees are additional for tours that feature a cruise; port taxes are not included in the prices shown. Some dates may feature various changes in hotels, sightseeing and inclusions. Please confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking.
    Online Agency Travel Websites