California

Skip the State, tell me about the trip
Skip the intro altogether - Let me see the pictures

As you know, we closed The Roaring Rock for a week to trek to San Francisco and the most famous wine area in the US; Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. California is an interesting place. Some say, it's really six states. It is big enough. Take a look at the Merriam-Webster Map Almost half the land is federal land, primarily national parks and forests. Before we tell you more about our trip, let us tell you a little more about the state.

In the far north, near the Oregon border is largely unpopulated except by loggers and farmers, some of whom who raise illegal plants.
There is the LA area with a reputation that you are all too familiar with. Entertainment, movies and music are the focus here.
There is the high country near the Nevada border. Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, winter sports, hiking camping, many state parks and so much more make this area very attractive. Of course, the lowest place in the US is Death Valley which is also in this area
In the south at the Mexican border there is a distinctly Spanish flavor.
The Central Valley, California's agricultural heartland, is actually 2 valleys that stretch almost 500 miles down the center of the state. The Sacramento Valley and San Joaquin Valley are bordered on the east by the Sierra Nevada Mountains and by the Coast Range to the west. Supplying large percentages of the nations fruit, some grains, mushrooms and of course table and wine grapes.
And then there is Wine Country, running from the north side of San Francisco Bay about 150 miles north along Route 101 and from the Central Valley to the coast.

That's where we went. The first two days in San Francisco brought back memories of 30 years ago when the Wilsons were on the road. George was a drummer playing with many famous Jazz artists. Staying near Fisherman's Wharf, we ate at deluxe venues that overlooked the Bay and Alcatraz but also at a little Irish Pub, enjoying fish and chips and a Harp Ale.

Next it was north to the Fetzer complex in Hopland, with a cooperage (barrel making), herb gardens, and a light lunch and great tour and tasting. Dinner at Santi's in Geyserville. The next morning over the hills to the Napa Valley. We visited the Culinary Institute, the town of Yountville and the Grgich Cellars for a tour and tasting. We stopped for a tasting at Beringer then back westward to the Russian River and lunch and tour at Korbel. Korbel was started by immigrants who built a successful lumber business first.

We continued west to the Pacific at the mouth of the Russian River, then turned north to follow the beautiful California Route 1 along the cliffs. Around every curve was a more beautiful vista. Although it was January, the hills were green. We reached the town of Gualala just at Sunset and a winter storm blew up. We stopped for a libation at Ocean Song but the night was so black and the wind and rain so heavy that we were a bit disheartened. We were spending three days on the cliffs of Sea Ranch just at the border of Sonoma and Mendocino Counties.

The next day dawned bright and fair and the rolling breakers showed the results of the storm. After breakfast, it was north to the quaint town of Mendocino on the coast. Built by New Englanders in a Victorian style, it was home to the old TV series, "Murder, She Wrote" with Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher. Just up the coast is the lumber town of Ft. Bragg and lunch overlooking the harbor. It's a Coast Guard station and we watched the training as the young sailors matched their skills against the huge waves from the previous night. A little north of there is a state park with hundreds of new born seals. We visited one of the many coastal lighthouses. We ate dinner at the house that night and played Uno.

The next day was again clear and we headed over to the Anderson Valley by way of a winding road through the coastal redwoods. Originally a valley of apple orchards, it has become a wine center. We visited Roederer, whose delicious champagnes have been served at the Roaring Rock, then an outdoor light lunch at the Navarro Winery, the down to Pedroncelli, another favorite at the 'Rock'. A long dirt road back over the mountains brought us to dinner at fabulous St. Orres. As you can see from the picture below, there is a strong Russian influence in this area. The Russians had a small outpost on the coast to supply fresh produce to their trappers in Sitka during the 1800s. Known as Fort Ross, a state park is now on the site with some original and some recreated buildings. Docents explain the story.

The restaurant is not an original but it looks like it. A private room for our group of 5, wonderful wine, food and first class service topped the evening. Sunday was our last day in California and we headed south along the coast in fair weather. We met friends in the town of Point Reyes station for a late lunch and then continued to Muir Woods. The trees are amazing, many over 1000 years old. We arrived at our hotel in time for happy hour, a nights sleep and an early flight back. It went far too fast.

Click on the Thumbnails to enlarge the pictures