4 or 5 Day Sonoma County Self-guided Road Bike Tour Details

Tour start and finish in Santa Rosa

We'll meet you in Santa Rosa on the morning of your tour start for a pre-tour orientation and provide you with all the equipment and information that you’ll need for your trip. You'll receive a custom created trip package that will include maps, route descriptions and area information. We'll take the time to review the route with you, give personal tips and advice and answer any questions you may have. After that you'll be traveling on your own, but we'll always be just a phone call away. Your rooms will be reserved and your luggage transferred.

Day One:  Santa Rosa to Bodega Bay (approximately 40 miles). This ride takes you from downtown Santa Rosa across the valley and through the Coastal Range to the ocean town of Bodega Bay. The ride starts out on a bike trail along the Santa Rosa Creek for the first 5 miles and is all flat. Then you will make your way through the old apple country of the Graton area while climbing gradually to the town of Occidental. In Occidental you will take Coleman Valley Road to the coast. This road starts with a challenging 1.5 mile climb, but its well worth it! Here you will ride one of the most spectacular roads to bike anywhere in the world! There are several sharp, but not too long, hills before you reach the ocean. When you are standing on a bluff a few hundred feet above the crashing waves below and absorbing the spectacular surroundings, you quickly forget those last climbs (you'll need to watch for cows on the road along the ridge before you descend!). From there you have just a couple miles along the coast to Bodega Bay where you can spend your first evening looking out at the ocean.

Day Two: Bodega Bay to Healdsburg (approximately 45 miles). Heading north on Hwy 1 to the mouth of the Russian River, you will be riding along the classic Pacific coastline—huge rocks and crashing waves abound. Turning inland you'll follow the Russian River to the town of Guerneville where you can make a short side trip to the Armstrong Woods Redwood Preserve (home to over 350 foot tall Redwoods!). From there you have the classic choice: over the mountain or around the mountain? If you choose "over" you'll experience the steep narrow twisting Sweetwater Springs Road. It winds through beautiful Redwoods and swoops through the canyon. If you go around, you will continue along the Russian River past Korbel "Champagne" Cellars and numerous wineries of the lower Russian River appellation. Either way you'll end up on the incredible Westside Road that rolls north past organic farms, vineyards, and wineries to the wonderful and charming town of Healdsburg. Within walking distance of your evenings lodging you can enjoy a stroll around the Spanish style plaza and dinner at an outstanding local restaurant.

Day Three:  Healdsburg Loop (multiple distance options). Spend the day exploring the Dry Creek Valley and surrounding areas. You'll have options from a casual 25-mile winery tour to the very challenging and spectacular Geysers Road. It's beautiful as well as pastoral—bicycle touring at its best. If you're a wine lover this is your chance to experience the terroir of the Dry Creek and taste the wines of the local boutique vintners. You'll spend another evening at your Healdsburg inn and have to face the tough decision as to which restaurant you'll enjoy that night.

Day Four:  Healdsburg to Santa Rosa (approximately 40 miles). Heading west from Healdsburg you'll cross the south end of the Alexander Valley passing the famous Jimtown Country Store and numerous wineries including Sausal, Alexander Valley and Fieldstone. At the east side of the valley you'll turn right and head south through the Chalk Hill appellation to the Windsor Plain. A loop back around to the west takes you past Russian Hill, Slusser Vineyards and onto the Santa Rosa Creek Bike Trail. Before you know it you'll be back in the Old Railroad Square area sipping a coffee at Aroma Roasters.

Day Five:  Take an optional casual morning ride out the Joe Rodota Trail to the town of Sebastopol for coffee or farther into the West County on a customized ride for more adventure before departing.

For additional info on some of the areas you might visit…

Armstrong Redwoods: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=450

Lake Sonoma Recreation area: http://www.parks.sonoma.net/laktrls.html

Sonoma Coast: http://www.russianrivertravel.com/coast.htm

Dry Creek Valley: http://www.wdcv.com/

$1095 per person for 5 day & 4 night value lodging package including free bike rental (based on double occupancy-weekdays) add $30 pp for each Friday or Saturday night. Based on lodging availability.

$1395 per person for 5 day & 4 night luxury lodging package including free bike rental (based on double occupancy-weekdays) add $30 pp for each Friday or Saturday night. Based on lodging availability.

-4 nights lodging some with breakfast

(What is the difference between Value Lodging and Luxury Lodging?)

-2 Dinners (Luxury package only)

-5 Days of self-guided bike touring including:

-Custom designed route with maps, detailed directions and local insider’s area information and attractions

-Pre-tour orientation including bike fitting and route briefing personal recommendations

-Luggage transfers as needed

-Daily "feed bag" with hydration drinks & energy bars

-Emergency roadside assistance

-5 day Trek Pilot 2.1 Road Bike rentals including helmets, lock, handle bar bag, pump, tire levers, wrenches, spare tubes, rear rack with trunk bag or panniers, and water bottles

Does not include transportation to your starting point or gratuities

Terms & Conditions

$200 per person deposit due upon reservation and the balance due 30 days prior to the tour start. Cancellation prior to 30 days results in the loss of 50% of your deposit. Cancellation from 30-16 days prior results in 50% loss of total tour price. Total cost is non-refundable 15 days prior to tour start. All cancellations must be received in writing.

Wine Country Bikes and its agents and associates act only as agents for the traveler and can accept no responsibility for the service of neither any tour operator, accommodation, restaurant or carrier used in connection with these tours, nor any liability for claims, damages, expenses or other financial loss to persons or property. In the event that it becomes necessary or advisable to alter the itinerary or arrangements for the comfort and/or well-being of the participants, such alterations will be made without penalty to the operator. The right is reserved to cancel a tour and to decline to accept any person as a member of a tour.