Backroads of California Wine Country: Napa + Sonoma

Love the outdoors AND amazing food + wine? A Backroads bike trip of California Wine Country might be right up your alley. What could be better than rolling hills blanketed with vineyards as far as the eye can see, the shade of soaring redwoods, stunning rugged coastline, and some of the best gourmet food and delicious wine the country has to offer?

I was lucky enough to personally experience a Backroads trip so I was able to see how everything works firsthand. The Trip Leaders are absolutely phenomenal and are not only extremely knowledgeable about the area but are also masters at making the trip run as seamlessly as possible. Before your trip, you also receive a highly detailed set of documents which outline everything from your day-to-day itinerary, where you will be staying, options for which route to take (from easy to advanced), particular experiences and meals, as well as tips on what to pack and what to expect while traveling.

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On my trip, I got to see the magnificent Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve, bike through picturesque winding roads surrounded by vineyards, taste world-class wines at Silver Oak and Caymus (among others), and bond with the other people in my group. I had not met a single person prior to the trip–other than one of the Trip Leaders–and came away with lasting friendships with wonderful people from around the country. During the day, the group would split up into smaller groups and some guests would even go off on their own. Each bike was equipped with a pre-programmed GPS to get you from the starting point to the finish line each day. In the evening, the whole group would gather for an incredible meal.

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“Snackroads”

Not only will you get to have memorable dinners each night, your Trip Leaders also prepare amazing picnic lunches and snacks along the way. Why else would they be nicknamed “Snackroads”? 

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Backroads trips are designed to be flexible. You have the freedom to choose how much or how little adventure you are up for each day. If you want some downtime, you can spend the day enjoying the hotel or make it a spa day. You can bike all morning and always take the van back to your hotel after lunch. Have one too many glasses at Caymus? The van is always ready to take you “home” for a nap. Not sure if you can handle a full-on bike experience? No problem. Backroads also offers e-bikes (spoiler alert: that’s what I did!). You still have to work, but it’s nice to get a little boost going up the inclines. 

Backroads now offers a more easy-going experience with their Dolce Tempo trips. Think e-bikes, boutique hotels, local immersive experiences, wine tastings and vineyard tours. They also offer private trips (12+ people), ocean and river cruise trips, multi-adventure trips, and are great for solo travelers as well.

A few other important things to mention about Backroads: 

• As the name implies, the Backroads experience is mostly about getting you off the beaten path. While some main routes are inevitable, they really do an amazing job at scouting out the best, most scenic routes of getting you from Point A to Point B.
• It is a mostly inclusive experience meaning most of your meals, snacks, guides, private guided tours, transportation, trip planning, equipment, park or entry fees and most gratuities are included in trip cost.
• Backroads also has trips with different “comfort levels” in terms of accommodation: from ‘Casual’ to ‘Premiere’. If you are not into roughing it, ‘Premiere’ would be the way to go. The JST Hotel of the Month for March 2021, Solage, is included in Backroads’ California Wine Country Bike Tour. There is no roughing it at Solage!

Not sure you’re up for a biking adventure? I also love to create custom trips based on your interests and “adventure level”. I work with the best of the best to explore this great world of ours however you feel most comfortable seeing it. 

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JST Hotel of the Month

Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection

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Looking for casual European elegance in the heart of California wine country? Look no further than the newly-redesigned Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection, in Calistoga. Think rustic charm and refined-yet-understated elegance surrounded by beautiful mountains and picturesque vineyards. Solage truly is the perfect blend of sophistication and luxury without being too stuffy–the perfect oasis to come home to after a day of wine tastings, hiking the nearby scenic trails or taking out one of the complimentary cruiser bikes for the day. Make sure to allow for some time to enjoy the award-winning spa, followed by a delicious dinner at Solbar, a foodie favorite. The outdoor patio was doubled during the redesign to allow for more al fresco dining space–a welcome luxury in today’s world. Picture yourself dining under a row of Mulberry trees and rattan tree lights after a pre-dinner drink by a fire pit or game of bocce with glass of wine in hand. The resort’s iconic pool–some say the best in Napa Valley–has taken it to the next level with new private cabanas that turn into private viewing rooms for Dive-In Movie and DJ nights. All 100 of their well-appointed studios and suites have been reimagined from top to bottom and I absolutely love the natural, soothing color palate and feel of the rooms. If possible, try and stay over the weekend so you can enjoy Friday and Saturday S’mores Nights. Craving an ultra-private romantic experience? Solage’s Starlight Nights allows you to have the spa’s bathhouse all to yourself for the evening.

Added Amenities

Full breakfast for two (not including alcohol) + $100 Resort Credit + Welcome house Napa Valley Cabernet

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