6 days tour

Cycle Sonoma & The Napa Valley

Cycle Sonoma & The Napa Valley

This tour includes:

Guide

All Intrepid cycling group trips are accompanied by one of our cycling leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Our cycling leaders are all passionate cyclists, as youโ€™d expect, but they also go through some pretty rigorous cycle-trip specific training. Each one has undergone on-road training and supervision and knows how to do safety checks, basic repairs and emergency first-aid. And at the end of the day theyโ€™re still regular Intrepid leaders, which means they will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you were interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip. As an extra safety precaution our cycling leader will provide you with the daily routes through RideWithGPS smartphone app and supply a phone holding strap to connect your phone to the handlebars. On this trip you will be accompanied by two local leaders - one to cycle with you, and one to drive the support vehicle.

Others

Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park Petrified Forest visit Armstrong Redwoods State Park

Transport

Bicycle (e-bike option available,subject to availability),Support vehicle While there are occasions we use local public transport such as trains, buses or taxis to cover long distances or attend non-cycling activities we predominantly use the bicycle as our main form of transport. On most of our trips we also have a support vehicle as secondary transport for travelling longer distances, avoiding hazardous areas to cycle, as a backup should we have any incidents and of course an option for those that would prefer not to cycle for an hour or a day. These vehicles range from a minivan in most regions up to a full sized coach or overland vehicle in others. Your main luggage is transported in the support vehicle An e-bike option (at additional cost) may be available on this trip. We have limited numbers of these bikes available and they are an โ€™on requestโ€™ basis only. A request does not guarantee an e-bike, only a confirmed booking. Please ask your agent for more details at the time of booking. BRINGING YOUR OWN BIKE: While weโ€™re confident in the quality and suitability of the bikes we include, we do recognise that sometimes you just need the comfort of your own bike to enjoy the ride. If you are thinking of bringing your own bike on this trip, please advise us at time of booking and take note of the below information. If you do choose to bring your own bike, please note that we will not being carrying a spare bike for you. SUITABLE TYPE OF BIKE: Although the surfaces of the roads we travel on are generally good there are occasionally gravel or potholed sections of road/track. As such, we recommend a โ€™mountainโ€™ or โ€™hybridโ€™ style bike with plenty of gear selections for easy cruising. For more details on the type of roads weโ€™ll be riding on see the โ€˜Physical Ratingโ€™ section of your Essential Trip Information. Please contact your booking agent if you have any questions about the suitability of your bike. OUR BIKES: We use Cannondale Quick 6 โ€˜hybridโ€™ bikes on this trip. These bikes are a hybrid/fitness bike-style with an alloy frame, flat bars, rim brakes, a fixed front fork and 21 gears. For more specific information please see https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/bikes/active/fitness/quick/quick-6 We usually cannot accept tandem bikes on our trips as they are often too large for our transport. In some destinations we can make an exception. Please ask your booking agent if you are interested in bringing a tandem bike. BEFORE THE TRIP: We recommend that you have a full service of your bike performed by a trained mechanic to help minimise any issues you may have during the trip. Please also ensure that you have specific and adequate cover for loss, damage or theft for your bike under your travel, home and contents or specialist insurance policy. DURING THE TRIP: Your bike will be transported in the same way as our included bikes, usually in the support vehicle or on the bike trailer. While we endeavour to take the best care we can, you should recognise that transported bikes do get the occasional bump or scratch along the way. The same applies when we take other forms of transport, such as a train, where we are unable to pack the bikes ourselves. Your bike will be secured in the same way as our included bikes. This can occasionally be outside the vehicle (where the bikes are locked together). In order to reach our destination, it is necessary for us to travel via various modes of transportation, including planes and trains. Any extra costs involved with transporting personal bikes are your responsibility. This includes (but is not limited to) additional transport costs and customs/import fees. While our mechanics can usually assist with minor repairs, you are responsible for the safety and upkeep of your own bicycle. This includes conducting regular safety checks of your bike during the trip and cleaning your bike. In addition, any parts that require replacing are your responsibility. Most destinations have access to only limited spares along the way and access to bike shops can be days apart. Therefore, please ensure you bring any spare parts that you may require (especially specialist parts). TRANSPORTING YOUR BIKE TO/FROM THE DESTINATION: Your preferred airline should have no problem carrying your bike, but many will charge an extra fee. Contact them before departing to discuss their arrangements for transporting bikes. A well-padded bike box (obtainable from a bike shop) is usually the best method of plane transportation. We recommend that you accompany your bicycle on the flight. Unaccompanied bicycles have been known to spend some extra days in the hands of customs authorities. Many taxis are not large enough to transport a bike box/bag so you may be delayed waiting for a suitably sized vehicle. For those arriving by their own car long term parking is available at Hyatt SOMA: , at a cost of $71.82 per night. This parking can only be booked with the hotel directly.

Accommodation

The accommodation we use on this itinerary is a mixture of simple 2 star hotels and motels, chosen for their comfort, position, service, and facilities. 3 star Hotel (5 nights)

Meals

5 breakfasts

Not included:

Flights

Flights are not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Optional

Other activities and services are not included.

Others

Other activities and services are not included.

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Cycle Sonoma & The Napa Valley

  • Day 1 Day 1: San Francisco - Napa To Sonoma Cycling
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: San Francisco - Napa To Sonoma Cycling

      Welcome to your California cycling adventure. Leave San Francisco and head north across the world-renowned Golden Gate Bridge for the one-hour journey to the heart of the renowned Napa Valley winemaking region and the outskirts of Napa itself. Here youโ€™ll be fitted to your bike and, after a short safety talk, start your first ride in Californian Wine Country, enjoying a gorgeous route through the pastoral beauty of the farms and vineyards. First stop of the day is the Artesa Vineyards & Winery in the foothills of Mt. Veeder โ€“ an iconic winery that blends perfectly into its environment โ€“ then continue riding this rolling vineyard-filled route towards the historic town of Sonoma, passing many stunning wineries along the way. Finish up your ride in Sonoma and drop into the tree-lined town plaza, visiting the historic Mission San Francisco Solano and the Sonoma Barracks. This is where the 1846 Bear Flag Revolt took place in a bid to separate California from Mexico. Refuel from your first ride tonight by choosing from the range of top-quality restaurants that line the square.

      Accommodation: Hotel/Motel

  • Day 2 Day 2: Sonoma To Santa Rosa Cycling
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Sonoma To Santa Rosa Cycling

      After breakfast, saddle up and leave sleepy Sonoma behind, ride out through the rolling green hills and countless vineyards, passing the Jack London State Historic Village and Park as you begin the long but manageable tree-lined climb. Once the climbing is done itโ€™s an enjoyable freewheeling descent all the way down into the Bennett Valley and the historic city of Santa Rosa, your home for the next two nights. While the largest city in Californiaโ€™s Wine Country Santa Rosa still retains a small town vibe. Sadly the 1906 San Francisco earthquake destroyed the entire downtown but rebuilt centre is still a great place to spend the evening exploring the many excellent bars, cafes and restaurants.

      Accommodation: Hotel/Motel

  • Day 3 Day 3: Santa Rosa - Napa Valley Cycling
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Santa Rosa - Napa Valley Cycling

      After breakfast, youโ€™ll avoid a long climb up the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains by transferring by vehicle (approximately 30 minutes) into the Napa Valley proper and the small town of Calistoga, home to world-famous geothermal hot spring pools and some of the finest Napa wineries including the Chateau Montelena which has its place in wine history with its 1976 win of the Judgement of Paris that put California on the world stage for wine quality. From here ride back into Sonoma County via the Franz Valley and over Chalk Hill to return to Santa Rosa for the evening.

      Accommodation: Hotel/Motel

  • Day 4 Day 4: Cycle Santa Rosa To Healdsburg
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Cycle Santa Rosa To Healdsburg

      Today leave Santa Rosa and pedal west along the picturesque and traffic-free Santa Rosa Creek Trail, a raised path with great views of the waterway, farms, vineyards, and mountains, then continue along mostly flat and quiet roads to the town of Sebastopol, once a prime apple-growing region now turned over into vineyards. Here, lining Florence Ave, youโ€™ll be treated to the whimsical and slightly surreal sculptures made from scrap metal by a local artist couple. Then continue north on undulating roads to the Russian River Valley, one of the cooler wine-growing regions in northern California, specializing in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir โ€“ youโ€™re free to stop to taste along the way to Healdsburg. Tonight is free for you to explore the town of Healdsburg, and your leader will have a number of suggestions for you in a town thatโ€™s as much about food as wine.

      Accommodation: Hotel/Motel

  • Day 5 Day 5: Healdsburg - Redwoods & Russian River Cycling
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Healdsburg - Redwoods & Russian River Cycling

      Today is a true cycling highlight as you ride into the heart of Californian redwoods country at the Armstrong Redwoods State Park. Itโ€™s impossible not to marvel at the 1,400-year-old trees that tower over 300 feet high, so take some time to appreciate the majesty of nature. Then leave wine country behind and follow the Russian River through light forest all the way to the small coastal town of Jenner, where the river meets the Pacific Ocean. Youโ€™ll be able to take in the sight of harbor seals beached on the riverbank with the ocean waves crashing behind them. From here drive (approximately 1 hour) back to Healdsburg. This afternoon youโ€™ll have some free time to simply relax. Or maybe consider enjoying the many tasting rooms in town or treating yourself to a massage at a nearby spa.

      Accommodation: Hotel/Motel

  • Day 6 Day 6: Wine Country Cycling - San Francisco
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Wine Country Cycling - San Francisco

      The final ride of the week will include some truly classic wine country cycling as you spend the morning making your way from the Lake Sonoma Overlook (an amazing 360-degree hilltop view the across Lake Sonoma Bridge and the Russian River) downhill then along quiet back roads dotted with welcoming vineyards. At the end of the ride head back to the hotel, where youโ€™ll have a chance to return to your room to freshen up and pack before departing Healdsburg. Take the drive back toward San Francisco, taking the leisurely route through the famed Napa Valley, visiting St Helena for lunch (and one last tasting) before arriving back at Fishermanโ€™s Wharf around 3 pm.

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Average

There are several physical activities that last from 2 to 6 hours in easy terrains, low altitude flats, or water experiences. Please ask if youโ€™re not sure this applies to you.

Age range

Age range

Min: 15 / Max: 99

Age range allowed for this experience.

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