With great weather, breathtaking scenery and over 500 vineyards, ‍‍Sonoma and Napa Valley are a cyclist's paradise. You'll find terrain suitable for all abilities, just one of the reasons Bicycling Magazine described pedaling here as "the perfect cycling vacation." Off the bike you'll be treated to wine tastings, world-class cuisine and delightful accommodations. Our Sonoma & Napa Valley Bike Tour gives you the best of both worlds in California's world-renowned wine region.

Itinerary

Day 1: Biking to Bodega Bay‍ (31 miles) After pickup in San Francisco, you'll be shuttled to the pastoral, ranching part of Sonoma County near the coast. After a brief orientation, you pedal along a favorite route past an incredible local bakery known for their delectable bready treats (don't worry, celiacs, they have two kinds of gluten-free scones, so you can enjoy too). The reward today is a sweet climb and descent along Coleman Valley Road, which on sunny days offers an incredible view of the Pacific Ocean. We'll end up at our hotel for the night and the first of many great meals together. Meals included: Dinner

Day 2: Biking among Redwoods (25, 45 or 60 miles, Hiking – 2 miles) After breakfast you'll head up along the rugged Pacific Coast and along the Russian River into the heart of the redwoods. You'll savor a visit to a state park that includes 1,400-year-old trees that tower over 300 feet, creating an enchanting ambience. If you choose to cycle after lunch, you'll continue up the Russian River to Healdsburg. En route, you'll pass many wineries on quiet roads. Today's itinerary includes a wine tasting at one of the area's best wineries. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Biking Dry Creek (22 or 55 miles) How much you cycle today is – as always – up to you. You may choose to spend more time exploring the charming town of Healdsburg, but if you'd rather, you can spend more time riding the Dry Creek Valley. From here you'll look out across acres of vines with the Mayacamas Mountains framing the scene. In short, you'll enjoy some truly classic wine country riding on lightly trafficked roads where there seems to be a winery every half mile. Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4: Biking Alexander Valley (21 or 47 miles) Today you'll bike the Alexander Valley, Knights Valley and Northern Napa. You'll find many opportunities to visit famous wineries along the way. Indeed, you'll savor a gourmet picnic lunch overlooking the vineyards of one such oasis before touring the winery. You'll stay the next two nights in the quaint Napa County town of Calistoga known for its boutique shops and excellent restaurants. Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 5: Biking Napa Valley (40 or 71 miles) This morning you'll take to the Silverado Trail which affords a great view across the Napa Valley as well as being home to some of the best known wineries in the area. You're welcome to continue on a more extensive ride, but we encourage you to relax with an optional spa treatment for which Calistoga is famous. Choose from massage, hydrotherapy, mud baths, facials and more. Tonight, you'll enjoy recalling the stories of the week with the rest of the group over your farewell dinner. Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6: Biking Crystal Springs Loop (18 miles) Today's ride is a short loop past some of the smaller wineries of Napa. Of course, you can choose to sleep in and relax or enjoy another chance to explore town. Either way you'll have some time to get ready and pack up before being shuttled back across the Golden Gate Bridge to downtown San Francisco. Meals included: Breakfast

Lodging

Bodega Bay Lodge - 1 night Poised atop a tranquil bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Bodega Bay Lodge reflects the wild beauty of this romantic region and offers an array of incredible things to do in Sonoma. Watch the fishermen ply the bay for the day's catch. Spot migrating whales in the waves. Scout for rare birds in a location prized by the Audubon Society and Alfred Hitchcock.

h2hotel‍ - 2 nights Glimpse the undulating "Green Roof" of h2hotel and you'll know you've arrived to the charming historic town of Healdsburg, where h2hotel is rooted. To the heart of Northern Sonoma Wine Country, which unfolds just outside its doors. To one of our 36 eco-chic rooms – all with private balconies or patios; a simple, organic aesthetic; and creative amenities – that's just waiting for you.

Calistoga Motor Lodge and Spa - 2 nights Every great journey needs a worthy destination. Welcome to the hoteliers'. They fell in love with a 1940's roadside motel (formerly the Sunburst Calistoga) perfectly placed at the head of the Silverado Trail, in the heart of California's most scenic wine region. They cleaned her up and gave her new life as the Calistoga Motor Lodge and Spa - an epic ode to the Great American Road Trip of the 50's, 60's, and 70's. Framed by vineyards and bike trails, and with pools fed by geothermal waters flowing underneath their grounds, their stylish Mid-Century Modern digs are the perfect foundation for those looking to find their next great adventure from the perfect home base. Whether it's backroad wine country or a relaxing mineral bath, their backyard can be your backyard, and it's anything but ordinary.

Pricing & Inclusions

Trip Price Includes:‍‍

• Lodging as outlined in lodging section above based on double occupancy
• Meals as noted in itinerary above
• Non-optional activities as outlined in itinerary above
• Ride-friendly snacks and beverages throughout each day
• Hybrid or alloy road bike rental – carbon road bike or E-bike available for an upgrade fee
• Services of professional trip leader(s)
• Van support during the trip & porterage service
• Black Sheep Adventures reusable water bottle, wool (baaaah) socks & luggage tags

Trip Price Excludes:

• Pre & post tour travel
• Alcoholic beverages
• Optional activities such as spa treatments
• Gratuities for your BSA guides

Get acquainted with Northern California's Wine Country and the Pacific Coast on our six-stage Sonoma Bike Tour that even the pros would envy. We'll expose you to valleys of world-famous vineyards, forests of massive redwoods, perfect pastoral landscapes and the captivating California Coast. We spend the entire week in Sonoma, the neighboring county just to the west of Napa Valley. Sonoma's roads are exceptional for cycling accommodating a range of abilities. Our Sonoma Bike Tour has been designed to offer a comprehensive cycling experience within California's celebrated Wine Country.

Itinerary

Day 1 ‍-‍‍ Meet San Francisco, Ride Petaluma to Healdsburg - up to 53 miles with 2,600 ft gain & loss Meet in San Francisco and we will shuttle you the rest of the way to our starting location for o‍‍ur Sonoma bike tour. Once in Petaluma, after introductions and a brief orientation meeting, you'll bike through rolling oak and grassy terrain, then continue through the Russian River wine growing regions into Healdsburg. Tonight's team dinner is at Spoonbar Restaurant for "some of the most satisfying and modern food in Sonoma County". Sleep well in our lodging for the next 2 nights at the h2hotel Healdsburg. Meals included: Dinner

Day 2 - Dry Creek & Chalk Hill Loop‍‍‍ - up to 62 miles with 2,700 ft gain & loss We offer up a route today that is pure perfection, starting and ending in Healdsburg. Some of the nation's best-rated wineries are on this route, but we'll prove to you that it's the cycling that truly makes this region iconic. Beginning in the heart of the Dry Creek Valley, we'll traverse east into the awaiting embrace of Alexander Valley, full of wineries and butted-up against volcanic mountains. Then it's an honest climb up and over Chalk Hill, known for its excellent grape growing conditions, which delivers us along the edge of the Russian River Valley. Treat yourself to splendid vistas of vineyards and the surrounding mountains throughout the day. This afternoon, it's time to sample what we've been seeing, so we'll take the opportunity to visit a guide-favorite winery and explore the Sonoma varietals that put this region on the map. An extended Bighorn Ride tackles an additional loop in Dry Creek before heading back to Healdsburg to enjoy the rest of the day in town. Dinner tonight will be on your own with many selections to choose from. Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 3 - Healdsburg to Timber Cove via King Ridge Road - up to 61 miles with 4,600 ft gain & loss Today we leave the vineyards behind us as we ride through the redwoods of the Russian River to the tiny bohemian town of Cazadero. From there, we have a significant ride up King Ridge Road, one of the greatest cycling routes anywhere. It climbs steeply through a dense redwood forest, emerging into sunlight and grassy meadows of the coast range. Ride from hotel to hotel with the Bighorn option, or shuttle the first 25 miles and take time to visit the Armstrong Redwoods State Park before hopping on the bike. King Ridge undulates along the crest of this coastal range before plummeting through the redwoods back to the sea. Our lodging and team dinner tonight are at Timber Cove, a quiet and calming resort with amazing views of the Pacific. Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4 - Timber Cove to Bodega Bay - up to 41 miles with 2,800 ft gain & loss Enjoy the morning with a leisurely breakfast after yesterday's big effort. Today's ride will hug the Pacific Coast along Highway One, arguably one of the most scenic roads you'll ever experience. There is very little development on this section so the traffic is minimal as the road twists and turns along this rugged and unspoiled section of the Pacific's edge. The sound of waves crashing below will carry you south to the Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa, our home for the next two nights. Here you can enjoy the views of the bay from your patio, or better yet, unwind with a massage. Dinner tonight is at the hotel's restaurant, Drakes Sonoma Coast Kitchen. Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5 - Occidental Loop‍‍‍ - up to 49 miles with 3,800 ft gain & loss Roll out south from Bodega Bay along Highway One for several more miles to the town of Freestone and home to one of the best bakeries we've visited. Grab a snack and enjoy that espresso, then it's through the redwoods again to the bohemian town of Occidental. Here, you can opt for our Bighorn Ride extension along the Bohemian Highway to the town of Guerneville and back along rolling country roads to Occidental before rejoining the main route. Round out the circuit with an ascent of Coleman Valley Road, a challenging climb featured in the Amgen Tour of California professional stage race. Later this afternoon, we thought you might enjoy a toast to a week of rock-solid riding, so we've arranged a tasting at another Sonoma standout winery to raise a glass and cheers your friends, both old and new. The final group dinner this evening is at the nearby award-winning restaurant, Terrapin Creek Cafe. Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6 - Coastal Roll, Depart San Francisco - up to 23 miles with 1,900 ft gain & loss Spin out the legs on a loop ride in Sonoma's golden farmland. Coastal views and rolling hills are the highlight for this morning's final cool down. After returning to Bodega Bay Lodge, you'll have time to clean up and check out, and we'll transfer you back to San Francisco where we will say goodbye and you can continue your adventure as you please! Meals included: Breakfast

Lodging

h2 Hotel – 2 nights A LEED-certified "green" hotel ideally located in downtown Healdsburg. Features a living roof, bamboo flooring, solar heating, a heated pool, bar and restaurant. Timber Cove – 1 night Perched on a dramatic bluff high above the Pacific Ocean lies Timber Cove: iconic, reimagined. A one-of-a-kind hotel situated within California's ruggedly breathtaking Sonoma coastline, Timber Cove is a magical place where stately redwoods pay homage before the vastness of the sea. Guests experience a deep connection with nature, both land and sea, while relaxing in a casual, sophisticated space. Bodega Bay Lodge – 2 nights This fantastic accommodation is a AAA 4-diamond lodge overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Doran Beach State Park and the spectacular green bluffs of Bodega Head. All 84 guestrooms have ocean views, sweeping vistas, and sea breezes all enhanced by bird calls and calming sounds of the distant fog horns. Full service spa with pool and hot tub, and "one of the most romantic restaurants in Sonoma County".

Pricing & Inclusions

Trip Price Includes:‍‍

• Lodging as outlined in lodging section above based on double occupancy
• Meals as noted in itinerary above
• Non-optional activities as outlined in itinerary above
• Ride-friendly snacks and beverages throughout each day
• Hybrid or alloy road bike rental – carbon road bike or E-bike available for an upgrade fee
• Services of professional trip leader(s)
• Van support during the trip & porterage service
• Black Sheep Adventures reusable water bottle, wool (baaaah) socks & luggage tags

Trip Price Excludes:

• Pre & post tour travel
• Alcoholic beverages
• Optional activities such as spa treatments
• Gratuities for your BSA guides