The parallel volcanic mountain ranges north of San Francisco have created rich flat valleys which are ideal for two coexistent activities: growing excellent wine grapes, and casual bicycling. Taking advantage of that, we have put together a tour that balances the two before heading out to the Pt. Reyes peninsula, where more of nature’s labors are on display.

While this is primarily a bicycling tour, there are optional hikes and/or kayaking available at Pt. Reyes as well. Below are the daily activities for the tour, but since we keep our tour groups small, we can offer flexibility regarding personal requests such as more or less bicycling or wine tasting, and including a variety of other attractions you may wish to enjoy.

Upon receipt of your deposit for reservation, we send you our pre-tour package, which includes a questionnaire designed to make such modifications. For those concerned about the fitness level required, this tour is reasonably easy to moderate on the body as the terrain is generally flat or gently hilly, with only a couple of significant hills to ride over. In any case, you are always welcome to ride in the support van if fatigued.

Day 1: Cycling Alexander Valley

We pick you up mid-morning (9-9:30) at your hotel in the San Francisco area and drive across the Golden Gate Bridge and on up to Healdsburg at the north end of the Sonoma Valley. There we check into our romantic lodgings for the first two nights, and you’ll have some time to relax and lunch before we embark on our first ride. This will be a loop exploring the rural Alexander Valley, on which we will stop to taste the fine wines made at Murphy-Goode and White Oak Wineries. After that is the short journey back to the B&B to relax before we go to dinner.

Lodgings: for the first two nights are in an idyllic, post-Civil War Victorian with tasteful décor, private baths for each room, and a delightful breakfast offering.

Dinner: Will be at Ravenous, where the food would make your mouth water even if you didn’t smell the buttered popcorn from the classic movie theatre next door. (Maybe we’ll see the pianist/ singer-songwriter Tom Waits, a frequent patron.)

Day 2: Northern Napa and Southern Alexander Valleys

This is our big bicycling day, but the pleasantness of the route is worth it. We start by driving over to Calistoga and doing a bit of sightseeing there: options include the Bothe-Napa Redwood grove, Kornell sparkling wines, and Old Faithful Geyser.

Our 23-mile ride then brings us back into the Alexander Valley, at the south end of which we stop at Hanna Winery for a panoramic lunch and optional wine tasting. We then ride lush Chalk Hill Rd. to a private tour and savoring of the winery’s superb varietals. You then have the option of riding on into the Sonoma Valley, and taking the Old Redwood Hwy back into Healdsburg and our B&B.

Dinner: Bistro Ralph is renown for freshness and innovation with California Cuisine, and is the locals’ favorite

Day 3: Dry Creek

Our day begins with a ride around the charming, rustic Dry Creek Valley (unless you decide to go ballooning), where you have the option of visiting one or two of the truly outstanding wineries. Indeed, riding West Dry Creek Road embodies the ideal of our excursion: a gently undulating rural road looking over vast tracts of vineyards and their accompanying vivid floral arrangements. From there we amble into the Russian River flood plain, where the sea of grapevines continues to stretch down the valley. This leads us to the river itself, and we follow it as it flows to the sea, which provides a great opportunity to visit a local brewery should one wish (after all, as the vintners in the area say: “It takes a lot of beer to make fine wine.”)

We then get to be reminded of our relative insignificance when we visit the giant Redwoods; some of which are over 1400 years old and 300 feet tall. From there we continue through the Evergreen-laden valley and out to the chiseled coastline, along which the road takes us to our evening rest and repast. Lodgings: The Inn at the Tides, with its superb views, pleasant gardens, and a hot tub and pool to soak the delicious aches away.

Dinner: The hotel restaurant offers superb cuisine in a romantic setting overlooking Bodega Bay.

Day 4: Bodega Bay

Depending on the fogginess, we have the option of riding out to Bodega Head, the point that protects the harbor. If sunny, this is a superb venue to view the Pacific crashing against the rocky shore, and observe a colony of seals on an offshore rock. We then ride back to Hwy 1, which we take down to the Valley Ford area and Dillon Beach for lunch. From there we continue on south towards Pt. Reyes, perhaps stopping at famous Tony’s Oysters for a sampling of their locally harvested wares. It is a short ride into Pt. Reyes and our Bed and Breakfast or Inn, where one may relax before dinner; or if you’re still energetic, we will take a drive up to the Mount Vision Overlook with its view of the entire peninsula. Lodging: The recently renovated serene Olema Inn, or one of the neighboring hilltop ranch style bed and breakfasts. Dinner: The Olema Inn draws diners from far and wide to enjoy their superb California Cuisine.