Don’t get us wrong, we love, support, and partake of Colorado’s wine country. It’s becoming world-renowned and totally worth exploring one sip at a time via all of our local wineries and tasting rooms. But, let’s face it, there’s no ocean in Colorado. But Sonoma County, in California, has miles and miles of stunning coastline, great restaurants, a Redwood forest(!), tree-lined roads revealing expansive vineyards on rolling hills – and so much more. Here are some of the reasons to get there, now!
Direct flights have opened up from Denver International Airport to the Charles Schulz Regional Sonoma County Airport. It’s a small airport that requires no schlepping, no trains, no escalators – it’s all right there and so easy to deal with. Plus, they have a charming cafe with spacious patio that serves, you guessed it, California wine. Find out more about their direct flights, here.
Sonoma County’s motto is “Life Opens Up,” comparing the human benefits of experiencing new and interesting things with the benefits that happen to a bottle of wine when we open it to let it breathe. It’s so true! It definitely happened to us when we visited – there’s nothing like running into the ocean, strolling through amazing gardens, sipping delicious wines high on a hillside overlooking a vineyard, and reveling in lush plantlife, everywhere. We felt renewed.
We wrote about our trip in more detail, offering up our itinerary for 4 Perfect Days in Sonoma County on our sister site, the digital, culinary travel magazine, Real Food Traveler. Here are a few highlights from that itinerary that, to us, are unlike anything you’d find in Colorado and/or, are just so special, they are worth experiencing:
4 (of many) Reasons to Get to Sonoma, Denver!
Walk among trees that go back 1,400 years in Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, aka Armstrong Woods. That’ll give you perspective on your place in life and on our planet but quick! And we can all use a dose of that while communing in nature.
The ocean, OMG, is so beautiful and powerful. There are many places to pull over and make your way down paths along rugged cliffs that lead to white sands, or marinas where you can pull over and get some very fresh seafood and some kitchy shack. The Jenner Headlands is a great place to stop. It provides hiking and gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean.
Quite simply, the Farmhouse Inn doesn’t exist in Colorado. A striking blend of old, new, chic, and comfy, you’ll long talk about your stay at this place.
Food tours exist everywhere, including in Colorado. But Gourmet Food & Wine Tours in Sonoma County combines regional history, a nice walk, a chance to meet locals and local artisans, while also discovering a variety of restaurants. It’s a great way to get to know the area and to find out which restaurants you might want to go back to later in your trip.
Be true to your (Colorado wine) crew, absolutely. But don’t miss this opportunity to get yourself to Sonoma County, California easily and quickly, with pleasant departure and arrival times (no red-eyes, thank you very much). Let your life open up a little more.
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