Things To Do
The Petrified Forest
Very close to the venue! Here you check out million year old petrified trees.
Castello di Amorosa
Book a wine tasting at an authentic Italian Tuscan castle! Must book in advance, (tastings start at $60) check the website for the booking link.
Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center
Charlie Brown and Peanuts Comic strip creator Charles Schultz was from Santa Rosa, CA and there is a cool museum with an ice skating rink next to it dedicated to his work.
Jack London State Historic Park
Literary fans will enjoy the Historic Jack London state park, home of Jack London, author of such classics as White Fang, and Call of the Wild. His estate is now a national park with a museum, and you can even see the ruins of his stone mansion the Wolf House. If you go, we recommend seeing the museum first and then hiking a half mile to the wolf house, or on the weekends there is a shuttle service. If you are in for a longer hike, we recommend Jack London Mountain and Quarry trail for an hour and a half hike through the vineyard, up the forest hillside, by the lake and back. You may even want to listen to one of his books on audiobook as you hike (Mike recommends Tales of the South Sea.)
Lincoln Ave Wine Walk
Stroll down this wine-tasting-room-studded avenue and stop in for a tasting wherever looks fun. Start at the Tank Garage Winery and work your way up the street, for good walk-in wine tasting options.
Hike: Redwood trail to Ritchey Canyon
A 3 mile loop with 300ft. elevation, it's a beginner level trail close to town that should take around an hour to hike. Trail starts here (38°33'04.3"N 122°31'06.8"W) or just pull it into google maps or your alltrails app.
Hike: Armstrong Woods Giant Redwoods
If you'd like to drive a litter further (45 min from the venue) and always wanted to see giant california redwoods trees, you are welcome to check out to Armstrong Woods hike around.
Hike: Spot Whales on the Sonoma Coast
If you'd like to drive a little further away (1 hour drive from the venue) you can check out the Kortum Trail on the coast near Jenner, CA. Park at Shell Beach and hike north along the cliffs for dramatic views, and keep an eye out for Gray Whales off the coast and seals on the beach. A 2 hour hike, there and back with 200 ft elevation. An easy hike, and Mike's favorite.
Tamber Bey Vineyards
Wine tasting in the courtyard of this vineyard on a hill (tastings here start at $50). Be sure to visit the horses there, too!
Bennett Lane Winery
Wine tasting at this informal vineyard known for their full bodied reds (tastings start at $35). Over seventy wines over 90+ points.