Community Corner
Shaking Off the Winter Slumber
Kayaking, Napa wine Train and white water rafting just a couple of ideas from our Great Escape grab bag.
Beginner and advanced sea kayaking classes and tours are offered in the Point Reyes National Park area and beyond. Point Reyes tours include Drake's Estero, a stunning place to paddle on the California coast offering viewing of wildlife such as harbor seals, bat rays, leopard sharks and many bird species.
Another tour is of Tomales Bay, appropriate for the whole family and first-time paddlers. The Day on the Bay tour goes to secluded beaches, and the Tule Elk-Hog Island tour is a shorter tour that takes paddlers to Nick's Cove. Also offered is the Estero Americano Tour, which explores farmland in West Marin.
Find out what's happening in Petalumawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
A detailed schedule of tours, classes and other events is available online or by phone. 12938 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Inverness, or 19225 Shoreline Highway, Marshall. Reservations: (415) 669-2600, Marshall Site: (415) 663-1754, Inverness Site: (415) 669-2600.
Find out what's happening in Petalumawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The park includes a boat launch, fish-cleaning station, boat rinsing station and picnic areas. The campgrounds are open year-round and offer camping facilities in beautiful surroundings. $6 parking. Sunrise-sunset. 201 Doran Beach Road, Bodega Bay. (707) 875-3540.
At this ranch on the coast, you can milk the goats, feed the chickens, hike the trails and eat lunch in the garden. Projects include making bread and cheese, spinning wool, papermaking, and making solar ovens, candles and worm boxes. $15 general; free children ages 2 and under; $60 family of four or more, unless otherwise noted. 2025 Shoreline Highway, Muir Beach. (415) 381-6155.
Take an hour-long, early morning, hot air balloon ride over the Napa Valley. The flight includes a narration by the certified balloon pilot, a replica balloon pin, a
certificate of ascension, and a Champagne Brunch in a serene Napa Valley wine
country setting. Reservations required. Meet at the Napa General Store, 540 Main St., Napa.
Chase and Brunch Option. Daily, one half hour before sunrise, weather permitting. This is a chance to participate in the festivities without the flight. Come watch the inflation of the balloon, have a picture taken in front of the balloon before lift-off, and then join the company's hospitality staff to meet the flight on landing and the Champagne Brunch celebration.
Reservations required. Daily, one half hour before sunrise, weather permitting. Vineyard Gardens, 5091 Solano Ave., Napa. (800) 464-6824, (707) 252-2222.
The preserve contains one of the largest regional art collections in the country as well as a bounty of flora and fauna. Explore the Meadow Trail and outdoor sculpture gardens, the art galleries and the wildlife preserve. Reservations are required for tours of the preserve.
Take the Discovery Tour, 2.5 hours. $15. Wednesday-Friday, 1 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12noon. On this tour, visitors can view the bulk of the collection inside the Gatehouse Gallery, the Main Gallery, and the former di Rosa Residence.
In addition, visitors may walk through the garden areas, the glass chapel and the central courtyard, viewing some 150 pieces of outdoor sculpture. The collection may not be appropriate for all age groups. Children must be under adult supervision.
Still photography of outdoor works of art, for personal purposes only, is
welcome. Weekday Tour takes two hours; Saturday tour takes two and a half
hours. Reservations required. $15. 5200 Sonoma Highway, Napa. (707) 226-5991.
NAPA VALLEY WINE TRAIN
The Wine Train travels 36 miles past 26 wineries through the heart of California's famed wine country. Passengers dine in white-linen style aboard authentically refurbished 1915-era Pullman cars pulled by 1950svintage diesel locomotives. All trains require reservations.
Daily Luncheon and Dinner Excursions, ongoing. A three-hour train trip with fine dining. There are three different styles of restaurants to choose from with prices varying according to the restaurant. Included in the ticket prices is a wine-tasting seminar prior to departure, train trip and lunch or dinner.
Check-in is one-hour before the scheduled departure time, with boarding 20 to 30 minutes before departure. Advance reservations required for all trips.
Luncheon Excursions: check in at 10:30 a.m. for 11 a.m. boarding; Dinner Excursions: check in at 5:30 p.m. for 6 p.m. boarding; Brunch Excursions: check in at 8:55 a.m. for 9 a.m. boarding; departures vary depending on special scheduled events and brunches. $80 to $150 per person.
RIVER'S EDGE KAYAK AND CANOE TRIPS
Take an easy canoe or kayak trip down the beautiful Russian River. Four trips of varying length are offered during the spring, summer and fall. In addition, hourly and day-long rentals are available. All trips down the river offer beautiful places to swim, fish, and picnic as well as an abundance of river wildlife. 13840 Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg. (800) 345-0869, (707) 433-7247.
A 320-acre park featuring camping, fishing, picnic areas, and trails for walking, hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. There is also a swimming lagoon and a lake. Park also has environmental discovery center that offers multi-sensory, hands-on activities for all ages, with rotating exhibits that focus on different aspects of the natural resources of Sonoma County.
Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. (707) 539-2865. $4 to $5 per vehicle. Oct. 1 through April 30: weekends and holiday, sunrise to sunset. 391
Violetti Drive, Santa Rosa. (707) 539-8092, (707) 565-2041.
Additional reporting and research by Bay City News
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
