SONOMA COUNTY EXCURSIONS Safari West Sonoma Admission and Jeep Tour – from $83 When visiting Sonoma, take a break from wine tasting to walk on the wild side at Safari West! Home to more than 700 exotic animals, the open-air wildlife preserve offers the experience of an African safari without leaving California. Get an up-close encounter with species like cheetahs, giraffes, wildebeests and flamingos on a 3-hour Jeep and walking tour, while a friendly ranger offers insight into the amazing animal kingdom and the park’s conservation programs. WHAT TO EXPECT: For three hours, explore the 400-acre (162-hectare) preserve both in the Jeep and on foot, and travel over rugged dirt roads in search of exotic animals. During the tour, your guide will tell you all about the wildlife at the preserve, including endangered species such as the Cape buffalo, springbok, blue wildebeest and red lechwe (a type of antelope). Learn how Safari West works to promote conservation of these beautiful wild animals. On your drive, pass by herds of African animals including gazelles, zebras, oryx, antelopes and — everyone’s favorite — giraffes, who may just come right up to the Jeep to look you in the eye. Then, hop out of your vehicle with your guide to walk for roughly 30 to 45 minutes. Admire flamingos and other colorful birds in the open-air aviary, observe cheetahs up close, check out the residents of Lemur Island, and laugh at the antics of the monkeys. Platypus Wine Tours – JOIN-IN WINE TOUR OF NORTH SONOMA, RUSSIAN RIVER AND HEALDSBURG - $110 *picks up from hotel with advance reservations* Fridays/Saturdays only Picnic lunch included – winery tasting fees are extra During our high season, (May 1-November 14), this tour operates on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, & Mondays. Off-season, (November 15-April 30), it operates on Fridays & Saturdays. Many would argue that this is the most authentic of the region’s wine country areas. And those advocates might have a point, given that the ratio of small family wineries is the highest here. Add to that the lovely rolling green hills, the myriad of trees and the simple rustic charm, and what emerges is an enclave that will absolutely steal your heart. Our small-group guided wine tours are organized Join-in style, so on this tour, you’ll share your day with a few other friendly, wine-interested travelers. This will be an intimate, yet social and lighthearted journey through this beautiful and unpopulated area. We’ll show you four charming, hidden gem wineries, shepherded by an up-beat and well-informed tour guide. Along the way, you’ll enjoy a very tasty picnic lunch and have the opportunity to taste some wonderful wines. Visit four wineries – rich in charm and history Take in awesome and inspiring views Taste some delicious wines Learn tidbits of local wine making, history and culture Dine on a very tasty picnic lunch – served at a winery Cheese platter and bottled water served on board the bus Share the experience with other fun people Personable and well-informed tour guide Feel you’ve experienced the real North Sonoma Wine Country! Ziplining Adventure in Sonoma – from $99 By: Sonoma Canopy Tours Experience the majesty of California’s redwoods with a thrilling Sonoma zipline adventure! Soar between some of the oldest and largest trees on Earth on a seven-zipline course that includes a treetop spiral staircase and two sky bridges. Get an amazing perspective of Sonoma’s protected redwood forest and feel your heart race as you glide 200 feet (61 meters) above a rocky ravine. Expert guides ensure your safety during the 2.5-hour experience. WHAT TO EXPECT: Sonoma County is home to one of the few remaining protected redwood forests in California. Experience the majesty of the ancient trees with this unique, adrenaline-pumping tour. Choose from several daily departure times, and make your way to the base camp just west of Santa Rosa. Gear up with a helmet, gloves and a harness and listen as your experienced guides provide a safety orientation and ziplining tips and tricks. Sonoma Redwoods Hiking Tour – from $90 By: Smart Tours Discover the coastal redwoods of Northern California on a hiking tour with transportation from Santa Rosa. With a guide, you'll drive past Sonoma County vineyards to reach a redwood grove, where you'll walk among some of the oldest and tallest trees in the world. As you go, listen to commentary from your guide about the forest ecosystem and history. WHAT TO EXPECT: We meet in Santa Rosa at 10 AM and depart on a 30 minute drive through beautiful Sonoma Wine Country. During the drive our guide will discuss the hike and the local geography to give you a better idea of what makes this area so special. Drinks and snacks for your hike will be handed out and before you know it we will arrive at our hiking location. We will hike under and around the redwoods for approximately 2 hours and then return to Santa Rosa with plenty of time to for you explore more of Sonoma County with the helpful advice of our fantastic guides. Sonoma Coast Kayak and Hiking Tour – from $139 By: Smart Tours Experience two quintessential Sonoma County activities on one convenient day trip from Santa Rosa. Hike the picturesque Sonoma Coast and kayak the mouth of the Russian River near Jenner with a small group of fellow adventurers. Enjoy a delicious lunch and convenient round-trip transportation in a comfortable minivan on this fun and hassle-free excursion. WHAT TO EXPECT: We provide the transportation from our central meeting location in Santa Rosa, driving through the scenic Russian River Valley and down iconic Highway 1. Spend the morning strolling along the edge of the Sonoma Coast watching the crashing waves and then take a quick shuttle out to Jenner for lunch at our favorite riverside cafe before hopping in a kayak and exploring the amazing area where the River hits the Coast. Keep your eyes open for seals, osprey, pelicans, and river otters all while you paddle the gentle waters of Jenner. Walk the beach and watch crashing waves in one of Sonoma County's most beautiful settings. While on the beach look for the rare treat of a migrating whale spout or some of our resident bald eagles. Please let us know if you require hotel/pickup and drop off or have any dietary or physical restrictions. Wine Country Journeys – from $130 http://www.wcjourneys.com/ 707-478-7317 Guided small group wine tasting tours throughout Sonoma County's beautiful Wine Country. Enjoy an unforgettable day while you visit a minimum of four small family owned or boutique wineries in the northern Sonoma wine regions of the Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley - up around the historic town of Healdsburg. Our wine educators/guides will introduce you to the wines, wineries, and vineyards of Sonoma County - perfectly blending education with entertainment. Tours stop at a gourmet deli where you may purchase a fresh lunch that we take to the next winery and eat picnic style. We keep our groups small - 8 guests or less and we always cover the tasting fees! Sonoma Wine Tours – https://sonomawinetours.com/ All of the tours offered by Sonoma Wine Tours may be customized to your preferences or, we’ll arrange a custom tour based on the needs of your group. Be it a couple, group of friends or corporate event. Sonoma Tours offered: Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Russian River, Sonoma Barrel Tasting, Sonoma Boutique Wineries, Sonoma Champagne, Sonoma Family Owned Wineries, Sonoma Historic Wineries, and Sonoma Winemaker Wine Country Bike Tour – Sonoma – from $80 http://www.sonoma-adventures.com/ Sonoma Advenutres (formerly Goodtime Touring Company) organizes Sonoma Valley bike excursions for as few as two people. We also accommodate corporate and group bicycle and van tours customized to meet their specific needs. Savor the flavors and scenery of Sonoma Valley and Sonoma County... experience the warm spring and summer days... lazy afternoons on the Sonoma Plaza ...quiet nights...expressive wines...all of it a perfect setting for a leisurely bike ride through the vineyards and a toast to the "good life" with an award winning Cabernet! Advance reservations are a must for all tours. Up & Away Ballooning- Hot Air Balloon Rides – from $239 Fly with us over Sonoma County, drift away into the morning sky in one of our beautiful balloons! Enjoy the narration of your pilot and the spectacular morning view of the valley below. Our standard join-in flight package is our most popular and our state-of-the-art baskets ensure that all of our guests get an unobstructed view. Enjoy an approximately one hour flight followed by a delicious post-flight breakfast. Also offering a combined package with Ace It Bike Tours, Bike and Brew guided Tour below - $355 Windsor Bike ‘N Brew Tour – from $130 By: Ace It Bike Tours Hop on high quality comfy bikes and take a journey with your guide through the beautiful countryside of Windsor! Spectacular views on quiet country roads and serene trails with corridors of trees awaits you, visiting off the beaten path Breweries and specialty Tap Room Cafes. Taste delicious fresh craft beers at its finest! Learn about history of brewing from our friendly guides and establishment members themselves. You might discover your new favorite beer along the ride! WHAT TO EXPECT: While Sonoma County is famous for its wine, the area boasts a burgeoning craft beer scene as well. Meet your brew-loving guide in downtown Windsor at the touring center in midmorning, and gear up with a helmet and high- quality bike.