Valleys of world-famous vineyards. Forests of soaring redwoods. Quiet pastoral landscapes. And the dramatic Pacific Coast. They could be four separate adventures, but they're not. This is Northern California. For some it's like a pilgrimage. For others, a retreat. For you it's a remarkable week and an incredible ride. Off-route tastings that enlighten your palate. Appreciating complex flavors. Gourmet meals that live up to the wines. And above all else, breathtaking sights in a remarkable place simply known as wine country.
Day 1 Take pampering to the next level at award-winning spas
Pedal past neatly manicured vineyards, old barns and picturesque farmhouses in the Carneros region Taste robust zinfandels at a winery just off Sonoma Plaza Our first of many delectable meals awaits at Michelin-starred Santé at the historic Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn.
Day 2 Bike to Bodega Bay on the dramatic Pacific Coast
Shade dances with sunlight as you move from groves of eucalyptus to rolling pastures and wide-open cattle-grazing country.
Day 3 A Michelin star, local vintages and fresh California ingredients
at Madrona Manor, plus a vintner who shares his insight (and wine!) over dinner Spin past Pacific Coast beaches Turning inland along the Russian River, ride to Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve for a picnic beneath the majestic trees.
Day 4 Pedal and sip your way into the world-famous Napa Valley
Explore little-known Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys en route to the Napa spa town of Calistoga.
Days 5-6 Abundant opportunities for tasting: hundreds of wineries line our routes
After pedaling the Silverado Trail, rejuvenate at the pool and spa of our luxurious hotel or indulge in some shopping Head to Yountville, wine country's "culinary capital," for your chance to savor the region's best dining Ascend Oakville Grade, featured in the Tour of California.
Trip Highlights
- Ride through five valleys of world-famous vineyards
- Abundant opportunities for wine tasting: hundreds of wineries line our cycling routes
- Seriously good food, inspired by local vintages and fresh California ingredients
- Bike to Bodega Bay on the dramatic Pacific Coast
- Take pampering to the next level at award-winning spas
Premiere Inns
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa (1 night): A sprawling 1927 replica of a California mission with a Michelin-starred restaurant that Condé Nast Traveler said is "worth a special trip just to eat here." (pool, spa)
Bodega Bay Lodge (1 night): Overlooking Doran Beach State Park, a coastal retreat with sweeping bay views. (pool, spa)
Madrona Manor (1 night): An Andrew Harper Grand Award winner, this elegant Victorian mansion is surrounded by acres of lawns, woods, orchards and gardens, and is the proud recipient of a Michelin star. (pool)
Villagio Inn & Spa (2 nights): In the heart of Napa Valley, an Italian-style property recommended by the Wine Spectator. Condé Nast Traveler Gold List; Travel + Leisure World's Best. (pool, spa)
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | 19 | 300 | ||||||||
| 2 | 28* | 1000 | 35* | 2000 | 48 | 3000 | 56 | 3500 | ||
| 59 | 4500 | |||||||||
| 3 | 25* | 800 | 32* | 1000 | 45 | 1400 | 67 | 3500 | ||
| 55 | 2000 | |||||||||
| 4 | 26* | 700 | 39* | 1100 | 48* | 1700 | 70 | 1900 | ||
| 5 | 23* | 600 | 36 | 800 | 49 | 1500 | 98 | 5000 | ||
| 6 | 20* | 200 | 26 | 1200 | ||||||
* Includes a shuttle
2013 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 5/26-31 Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/9-14 Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/9-14 Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/16-21 Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/23-28 Price: $3098 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/30-7/5 Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/7-12 Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/14-19 Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/21-26 Price: $3098 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/28-8/2 Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/4-9 Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/11-16 Price: $3098 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/18-23 Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/25-30 Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/1-6 Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/8-13 Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/10-15 Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/15-20 Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/17-22 Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/22-27 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/24-29 Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/29-10/4 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/1-6 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/6-11 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/8-13 Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/13-18 Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/15-20 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/20-25 Price: $3098 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/27-11/1 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 11/3-8 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 11/10-15 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 11/17-22 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/23-28 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/25-30 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
SINGLES-SOLOS TRIPS
- 9/1-6 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/27-11/1 Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $870 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
I just came back from the most wonderful trip of my life. I have traveled extensively throughout the United States and the world and never been on a trip as beautifully planned and executed as your Backroads California Wine Country Trip.- Prospect Heights, IL
Lots of fun. Wonderful experience. Completely exceeded our expectations. I loved learning about the Napa/Sonoma region, tasting great wines, seeing the change in the countryside and riding some challenging hills.- Buffalo, NY
I must say this was one of my life-changing experiences. The itinerary was great, and I felt as though I was able to do as much or as little as I wanted. The routes offered both challenging and exciting rides, and the support was outstanding!- Atlanta, GA
Simply an amazing trip... I keep running out of adjectives to describe it! This trip more than met our expectations. I could not even have imagined how wonderful a trip could be until I took this vacation!- Holly Springs, NC
I was very happy. I am not a strong cyclist, and hoped that the support system would work out if I was unable to do some of the climbs, etc. It was amazing - totally flexible, and the leaders are both awesome!- Toronto, Canada
Every aspect of the trip was well planned and very well executed. Among the 12 participants, there was a variety of riding abilities and riding plans. Our leaders were exceptional in their efforts to accommodate everyone's needs and plans in order to make everyone's experience personally satisfying and to make the group dynamics positive at all times. While I was a part of a group, I also had the sense at all times that my own needs and wishes were being attended to by the leaders. Individually and collectively, they were always at the "top of their game."- Christiansburg, VA
I had never done anything like this before and it was absolutely the most amazing trip I've ever taken - everything about it was wonderful! I smiled during the entire trip and have been telling all of my friends about it in the most glowing terms I can think of.- St. Louis, MO
It far exceeded our expectations and everything fell into place perfectly. The people, biking, scenery was endless, food, accommodations, just everything was great.- Marietta, GA
Great trip! Great food, great destination, GREAT weather, great people. Thoroughly enjoyed our trip! The excellent level of service makes your trips well worth it. It allows us to just enjoy the vacation without any of the day to day hassles.- Delafield, WI
Fabulous bike riding country including vineyards, redwoods, mountains, and ocean all in one trip. I've been to Napa/Sonoma many times over the past 30 yrs, but it was special to see it via bike. We saw places we didn't know existed.- Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
One of the best vacation experiences we have ever had! Everything was first class, from the accommodations to the food (great picnic lunches!), Northern California was beautiful and a complete surprise. Loved having the freedom to set our own pace and stop and smell the roses, literally, the roses were unbelievably beautiful! Our trip leaders were the best. They made the trip easy and enjoyable for everyone. Always positive with a "can do" attitude. We are now trying to decide where we want to go next with Backroads! Maybe Tuscany!- Austin, TX
Although I was traveling with a group, I did most of my biking by myself. I really enjoyed this. I was able to go at my own pace and really let my mind wander and just take in the beautiful surrounding scenery. I had my directions, my cell phone and the van continually sweeping the route, so I knew I had an excellent support system backing me up. For those who hesitate to book a Backroads trip as you do not like to travel in a group, think of me riding solo through the California Wine Country and loving every minute of it!! This type of trip allows you to experience the region in your own way, yet with the support of a whole team behind you making sure you experience it as fully as you possibly can on your own terms.- Sylvania, OH
Great people, outstanding leaders, amazing food, beautiful riding and an excellent blend of accommodations. This trip was perfect.- Atlanta, GA
You have set up a really exceptional company. I am impressed with a company that takes such good care of people, allows people to value your service, continues to change and grow, hires excellent staff and leaders, and doesn't fold when the going is tough. Keep it up!- Ashland, OR
...not enough superlatives to describe this one of a kind vacation...everything I could think of had already been planned for and was waiting on me. Such a wonderful luxury to leave the planning and arrangements to Backroads and show up ready for fun! Our trip leaders were an incredible team....informative, helpful, interested and good natured. They were easy to contact, always prepared and lots of fun! It was such a pleasure to rely on their expertise and relax into a true vacation!- Greensboro, NC