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Family Adventure Vacation
If you want to challenge a roomful of Sonoma and Napa Valley concierge professionals, try asking them how they can accommodate your family on your wine country vacation. If you’d rather skip the puzzled looks, turn to Sonoma Valley Bike Tours and our Family Adventure Vacation.
Contrary to popular thought, the wine country is a great place to bring children. In fact, many families from the San Francisco Bay Area move here to take advantage of the rural, small-town charm and the wide array of outdoor outlets for the entire family… Although the fabulous wines are a notable bonus!
Our Family Adventure Vacation offers a weeklong snapshot of family living in the greater Bay Area, as we extend beyond the wine country to include biking over the Golden Gate Bridge, kayaking in Sausalito, hiking through the coastal redwoods and beachcombing at Pt. Reyes National Seashore. We’ll seize every opportunity along the way learn about the local geology and wildlife surrounding us. And Mom & Dad will appreciate the chance to learn a bit, too… and about Northern California’s famous wines, of course!
This is your family’s vacation. We’re simply here to organize, guide and support you! Your Tour Guides will be on hand throughout the trip to tend to your every need: from luggage transport to your burning questions about vineyards, wine, wildlife, history and geology. For every planned activity, there’s a “bail out” option built in so you have the final say on the amount of adventure and relaxation that’s right for your family. We also arrange all of your breakfasts, lunches, and dinners along the trip. Our goal is to make this not just a vacation you’re taking the kids on… this is a vacation for you, too!
With these basics in mind, we invite you to take a look at the Sample Itinerary outlined below for an in-depth look at what we have in store for your family’s wine country vacation:
Day 1, Sunday (Your Arrival Day)
You'll fly into SFO (San Francisco) airport and take Evans Transportation shuttle service to Napa Valley (www.evanstransportation.com for schedule and fare info). Upon arrival at the local Evans’ station, we'll pick you up and take you to the nearby Napa Valley Embassy Suites.
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Your family will have a chance to settle in, enjoy Embassy Suites’ two-hour evening beverage reception, indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpool and sauna. Depending on your arrival time, you may even enjoy a self-guided bike ride before dinner at Rings Steak, Seafood & Chops located at Embassy Suites. |
Day 2, Monday
We’ll start the day with a Vacation Kick-Off Breakfast, where you will meet your Tour Guides and the other families on this trip. We’ll go over your vacation itinerary and the options available to you throughout and answer any last-minute questions you may have.
Our first adventure gets under way after breakfast, as we shuttle the group out to the Carneros wine-growing region straddling Napa and Sonoma Valleys. The Carneros Distict, which is best known for its award winning Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, features miles of undulating vineyards, making it the perfect setting for our first activity: mountain biking “IN” the vineyards!
Bouchaine Vineyards is the only winery that allows us the unique chance to bike off-road through its vineyard property. The terrain is gentle and perfect for beginners and the off-road element eliminates any concern about traffic. But this adventure holds one more surprise, as the property borders a wildlife preserve that extends to the northernmost reaches the San Francisco/San Pablo Bay. Egrets, blue herons, mallards, cormorants, and hawks are common sightings as we bike through the marshlands, along with a plethora of wetland and coastal flora. Your guide will “educate lightly” on the migration practices of our feathered friends as you admire them up close.
After our bike ride, we’ll head back to Bouchaine’s patio deck, where we’ll enjoy a wine tasting and a picnic-style lunch overlooking the vineyards. After lunch, the adults will continue the wine-tasting trend by cycling to another nearby winery. Meanwhile, the kids will be encouraged to participate in their own guided afternoon bike ride; a welcome for them to avoid the “boring wine stuff” and do something that’s fun and totally geared for them.
After some afternoon down time back at the hotel, we’ll host “pizza night” for the entire group tonight at one of our favorite mom & pop eateries, Mary’s Pizza Shack. Afterwards, you’ll retreat to the Embassy Suites for your second night.
Day 3, Tuesday
We’ll spend our second full day adventuring and exploring more of the Napa Valley. The weather will dictate our activity choice today. Between May 1st and Oct 30th, it is nearly certain to be warm enough to head to Lake Hennessey for a kayaking adventure. On coolers days, however, we’ll opt for hiking at Skyline Wilderness Park instead.
Lake Hennessey offers a perfect setting for novice kayakers. In fact, your Tour Guides can teach you everything you need to know on-site. And with canoes and tandem kayaks at our disposal, we can accommodate any special family needs for togetherness.
Lake Hennessy offers us great a chance of spotting numerous species of birds, maybe even a Bald Eagle or Osprey. And as we spy on land, we can expect to see deer, fox, and wild turkeys. We’ll get in 1.5 to 2 hours of paddling time before packing up and heading to a nearby boutique winery for a wine tasting and lunch over-looking the vineyards. We’ll get you back to the Embassy Suites by about 2:30 p.m. today for an afternoon of relaxing by the pool.
Tonight is “Date Night” for the adults. We’ll make your dinner reservation tonight at one of Napa’s world-class restaurants. And while you’re enjoying a night out on the town, our guides will take the kids to one of the popular local activity centers: Rockzilla, PB&J's or The Zone, which offer a mix of indoor rock-climbing, slides, mazes and all-around kid-oriented fun.
Day 4, Wednesday
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After breakfast this morning, we’ll load the vans with your luggage and leave the Napa Valley for San Francisco. But instead of shuttling you by van the whole way, we increase the adventure quotient by dropping you off at the Baylink Ferry Station so you can “cruise” into the city in style. Our owner's kids say, “It’s the coolest way to go to San Francisco!” The 45-minute high-speed ferry ride offers amazing views of Alcatraz, Treasure Island, Angel Island and the dramatic San Francisco skyline. Upon reaching Fisherman’s Wharf, your tour guide will be waiting with your bikes and we’ll set off at your pace through the Marina waterfront, along the outskirts of the historic Presidio and finally, across the Golden Gate Bride. With postcard-ready backdrops lining the way, you’ll want your camera within reach at all times! |
From the Golden Gate Bridge, we'll coast into Sausalito, a quintessential Californian coastal town lined with unique shops, art galleries, cafes, ice cream parlors and other fun diversions. A picnic lunch will be spread out and waiting for us at a local park. After lunch, you’ll have the option to go sea kayaking on the calm waters of Richardson Bay, or if you prefer, you’re welcome to stay ashore and trip around town for a few hours instead.
This afternoon, we'll drive north along one of the most scenic stretches of coastal Highway 1 as we make our way to Point Reyes National Seashore. We’ll check into our family suites Inverness Valley Inn and unwind a bit before having dinner as a group. |
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Day 5, Thursday
After breakfast, we’ll lace up our hiking shoes and head to Mt Tamalpais State Park (the locals call it Mt. Tam) for some hiking through the majestic coastal redwoods. We’ll trek under a cathedral of towering redwoods, catching occasional glimpses of sunlight along the way. Your guide will enlighten you on a bit of the history of the redwoods in this area, including the significant role these trees played in the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. A trail-side picnic is a natural fit for today’s lunch before we make the drive back to the Inverness Valley Inn. |
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Day 6, Friday
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Our adventures will take us to Point Reyes National Seashore today. This National Park, only 100 square miles in size, is packed with more than |
1000 species of plants and wildlife. It is one of the few remaining places where the impressive Tule Elk roam and is also a year-round home to the wildly entertaining northern elephant seals. During the whale migratory season (late-November through April), Pt. Reyes National Seashore is also a prime place to spy gray whales as they travel along the coast.
Our hiking route will provide plenty of ocean views and an abundance wildlife to discover. It's not a matter of “if,” but “what” you will see on this excursion. Your guide will discuss the challenges faced by some of the endangered species that currently thrive against the odds within the boundaries of this federally protected land. You’ll also learn about the geological forces behind the popular moniker given to this area: “The Island.”
Today's picnic lunch setting will overlook the beaches at Drakes Bay. Afterward, you’ll have the option to ride in the van and visit the Point Reyes Lighthouse and the “sea lion overlook” or, you’re welcome to hang back at the beach.
This afternoon, we'll drive to Larkspur where we will say our farewells. The town of Larkspur is convenient for its proximity to the Marin Airporter terminal (www.marinairporter.com), which provides transport to SFO. You will be able to catch a flight out of SFO tonight (with a departure time of 8 p.m. or later), or you may decide to spend the night at the Larkspur Marriott Courtyard or another nearby hotel and take the Marin Airporter to SFO in the morning.
Notes about our accommodations: We personally visit and inspect each property. We meet the staff and owners/managers; thus, you can rest assured that all of the accommodations we book will offer you the perfect, worry-free vacation. Accommodations in this area book quickly…especially from May to October; thus, we urge you book as soon as you can to ensure that we can offer you accommodations. We make every effort to provide rooms in the properties we have suggested and provided links for above; however, your accommodations are ultimately determined based on the availability at our hotel partners. Again, we’ve personally visited and inspected each property we work with, so we can assure you that our alternate hotel choices will offer similar quality and comforts.
Notes about dining: We’ve selected dining experiences for this vacation that are kid-friendly and still offer great food. Our dining choices are based on Zagat ratings (if available), responses from previous guests, and our own first-hand experiences as local residents and parents. While we make every attempt to cover the entire food, tax, and gratuity bill (excluding alcohol), we reserve the right to limit guests to $50 per adult for each night’s dining experience.
Notes about airport shuttles:
1. Getting to Napa Valley: Evans Transportation provides an airport shuttle from SFO to the Napa Valley. Please visit www.evanstransportation.com for fares and schedule information. Driver only takes cash.
If you wish to rent a car, you’re welcome to leave it parked at our shop during your vacation and on the final day of your trip, we will bring you back to that location.
2. Departing from Larkspur: The Marin Airporter provides shuttle service ONLY to SFO. Schedule and fares are available at www.marinairporter.com. Driver accepts cash and travelers checks only.
Notes about selecting an airport:
We highly recommend using the SFO airport as it affords greater flexibility and airport shuttle options for your convenience; however, if you have chosen to rent a car, SMF (Sacramento) and OAK (Oakland) airports are also nearby. Guests who have left a rental car parked at our shop in Yountville will return with the guides after dropping off the other guests in Larkspur.
Vacation Dates Available: Our vacations are limited to 12 guests per each of the Vacation Dates listed below; please book early to avoid sold out dates. Groups of 8 or more are invited to choose their own dates.
Jan 20 – 25, 2008
Feb 17 – 22, 2008
Mar 16 – 21, 2008
Apr 6 – 11, 2008
May 25 - 30, 2008
June 8 – 13, 2008
June 15 - 20, 2008
June 29 – July 4, 2008
July 13 – 18, 2008
July 27 – Aug 1, 2008
Aug 3 - 8, 2008
Aug 17 - 22, 2008
Aug 31 – Sept 5, 2008
Sept 14 – 19, 2008
Oct 12-17, 2008
Nov 23 - 28, 2008
Dec 28 – Jan 2, 2009
Restrictions: This vacation package requires a minimum of 2 families totaling at least 6 guests. If you are booking for fewer than this minimum requirement, please be comfortable with the fact that the trip may be cancelled (or help us recruit your friends and family!) In the unfortunate event we have to cancel, you may transfer your vacation package to a Ride, Wine, and Dine Vacation or to a future Family Adventure Vacation (as available).
2008 Pricing: Our 6-day/5-night Family Adventure Vacation prices below are per person and based on 2 to 6 guests sharing one room/suite. If your family is larger than that, and you don't want to split into more than one suite, please call.
First two guests: $1897/person
3rd - 6th guest (same room): $797/person
Your vacation price includes:
- 5 nights’ accommodations (1 room per family)
- Breakfasts, picnic lunches and dinners (Tuesday’s “Date Night” dinner for the adults and Friday’s dinner for the entire family are the only two meals that are not included)
- Rental equipment including bikes, helmets, kayaks, canoes, PFDs
- Baylink Ferry fare, all State and National Park entry and usage fees
- Knowledgeable local guide
- Van support, including luggage transport
- NVBT water bottle, unlimited water and Clif Bars for everyone each day.
This package does NOT include:
- Airfare
- Airport shuttles fares to/from SFO
- Tour guide gratuities
- Hotel taxes and incidentals
- Winery tour and tasting fees
- Extravagant dinner tabs
- Adults’ “Date Night” dinner
Questions? Ready to Book?
STEP ONE:
Give one of our vacation coordinators a call at 877-308-BIKE (2453) or Click here to send an email.
STEP TWO:
Need airline and car rental reservations? Book directly through our travel partner's website at www.nvbtTravel.com! We've found that you have a 70% chance of getting the same or better pricing than other travel search engines.