Sonoma, and Surrounding Areas

MUIR WOODS

The map will take you directly to the visitor’s center next to a medium-sized parking lot which fills right after 9am. Walking back from the ginormous tree trail, we saw a line of cars parked down, down, way down the street past our view and continued to wide-eye what could have been as we drove out.

These gargantuan trees. They extend as long as the line of parked cars, only up. Many were skinny, some were bottom-heavy and too wide to be hugged. I had on some jean shorts, sneakers, and a sleeveless button-down. Was I trying to look cute-ish? Yes. However. Full workout/hiking gear was not necessary. It’s a flat trail and no one is in a hurry. Add plenty of shade and San Francisco 60’s/70’s weather, you’ll barely heat up.

Josh Felise on Unsplash

SONOMA & NAPA

There’s wineries all over San Fran, some in Oakland, but you have to see some greenery. Staying north of the Golden Gate Bridge, like us who aren’t connoisseurs and know little about vineyards, you drive a rental around two wine regions with no information on where to stop and hope for the best charcuterie board. It was more fun that way. I decided, from my photos, we stopped at a place called Pangloss Cellars, among others.

If I went back for more, my picks would be: Frog’s Leap Vineyard, Spring Mountain Vineyard, and Dashe Cellars. Book a tour and/or tasting in advance if you’re on a schedule. Otherwise, you’ll be splitting down the middle one of the best grilled cheeses at some other place. We had time.

Cover Photo: True Sojourn