Legendary vineyards. Soaring redwood forests. And the dramatic Pacific coast. This is Northern California. And for you, it's a fantastic week and an incredible ride. Wine tastings and gourmet meals enlighten your palate. Stunning scenery invigorates. And top-notch spas relax and rejuvenate... all in one remarkable place simply known as the Wine Country.
Day 1 Swirl, sniff, sip and cycle your way through Napa Valley | Pedal through the quaint towns of Yountville and St. Helena | Taste world-class vintages at famed wineries along the Silverado Trail, including Frog's Leap and Silver Oak.
Day 2 Climb up the famous Oakville Grade | A canyon descent leads to the Carneros region | Enjoy the area's delicate pinot noirs before pedaling to Sonoma, the realm of bold zinfandels | Have a look around the Spanish-style Sonoma Plaza, then bliss out at our hotel's spa.
Day 3 Vineyards give way to eucalyptus groves and wide-open cattle country as you bike toward the ocean | Visit galleries, markets and tasting rooms in Sonoma County's vibrant towns | Pedal through windswept headlands to Bodega Bay, along the dramatic Pacific coast | Relax while you take in the ocean views from our lodge's hot tub.
Days 4-6 Spin past rugged beaches before heading inland along the Russian River | Wander through charming Healdsburg—its tasting rooms and restaurants might tempt you to stay awhile | Sampling opportunities abound in Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys, where dozens of wineries line our route | Enjoy an undulating ride past manicured vineyards | A special farewell dinner adds a flourish to an unforgettable week.
Almost every route we took was on a quiet lovely scenic route, and the busier routes were still very safe, riding on wide shoulders with respectful car traffic steering clear of us. I was often riding along by myself (my choice) thinking "I am SO HAPPY! Bliss!" I loved that I could challenge myself or take it easier if I wanted. Great guides, excellent service in every way, delicious meals (good thing we rode a lot every day), lovely hotels and inns.- Vancouver BC
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception. Read the Straight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
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Accommodations may vary based on departure date. Any difference from what is listed below can be found by clicking on your desired date on the Dates & Prices tab.
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In the heart of Napa Valley, an Italian-style property recommended by Wine Spectator. Travel + Leisure World's Best. (pool, spa)
A posh 1920s replica of a California mission renowned for its natural mineral hot springs. (pool, spa)
Overlooking Doran Beach State Park, a coastal retreat with sweeping bay views. (pool, spa)
Sleek and sophisticated, this hotel on the town plaza gets rave reviews for its contemporary interior and plush amenities. Travel + Leisure World's Best. (pool, spa)
There's no better way to find out about Backroads than by hearing it from the people who have traveled with us. For more about the Backroads Experience, read our Guest Testimonials.
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REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 29 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Reviewed by 29 customers
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Comments about California Wine Country Bike Tour:
Almost every route we took was on a quiet lovely scenic route, and the busier routes were still very safe, riding on wide shoulders with respectful car traffic steering clear of us. I was often riding along by myself (my choice) thinking "I am SO HAPPY! Bliss!" I loved that I could challenge myself or take it easier if I wanted. Great guides, excellent service in every way, delicious meals (good thing we rode a lot every day), lovely hotels and inns.
Comments about California Wine Country Bike Tour:
Had a truly stellar Wine Country trip. The leaders were incredible, excellent hotels, and the rides were simply breathtaking. Highly recommended.
Comments about California Wine Country Bike Tour:
I want to take this opportunity to praise the leaders, and support staff (Kji, Steve and Ben). They were consistently professional, considerate and kind. While I'm sure these young men brought character and responsibility to their positions, the process of staff selection and training through Back Roads solidified their outstanding performances. Back Roads has a successful business model, and our trip was seamless. We were first time visitors, and had an excellent BR experience. Kudos to Back Roads, and Kji, Steve and Ben.
Comments about California Wine Country Bike Tour:
This was my third of five tours with Backroads. I'm hoping to cycle the ten most difficult in the catalogue. Cycling in California was wonderful and quite diverse. My leaders were most pleasant and accommodating. It was a pleasure to socialize and cycle alongside them. The highlight of this trip was to scale the Pine Flat Road "out and back" with one of the leaders that had yet to complete that challenge. It was a brutal climb and we were greeted near the summit by the van, another leader and some popsicles!
Comments about California Wine Country Bike Tour:
My husband and I have been on 3 Backroads trips, so far. While they have all been spectacular, California Wine Country was one of our favorite. Adult luxury camp with incredible support, amazing food, snacks, hotels, coupled with magnificent sightseeing, picnics, wine and cheese. It was so enjoyable "destination riding" to wineries, past rivers and through the woods.We are both avid riders but wanted a vacation versus a sprint. We are already planning our next trip, but know, this is one trip we will most definitely repeat soon.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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Comments about California Wine Country Bike Tour:
Everything was absolutely splendid! The route, the inns, the food, the arrangements, the care & pampering ... could not have asked for a better trip experience! After the trip, our group headed to San Francisco for a couple days ... and we said we all missed our "people" ( we were so very spoiled by the care & attention given to us by David, Cece & Jason!!!)!
Comments about California Wine Country Bike Tour:
The trip was fantastic! We loved everything about it - accommodations, food, leaders, guests, weather, wine tastings, cycling scenery. Wouldn't change a thing.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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Comments about California Wine Country Bike Tour:
We had the most enjoyable 6 days - Jason and Kate and the support team could not have been more helpful, more friendly, more encouraging, more generous with their time - we didn't think that Hannah and Emily from last year could be paralleled but they were! Napa is a wonderful trip and we can't wait for our next trip to Ireland this summer
Comments about California Wine Country Bike Tour:
Max, Meredith and Megan were amazing team leaders. We enjoyed their company very much and it was a pleasure to dine with them and become friends with them. These young people certainly have a future ahead of themselves. Very proud of them. My backroads experience in wine country was super fun. Enjoyed the challenging hills, the team we had to cycle with, stopping in at wineries and great stores for souvenirs and all the distance options presented to us.
Susan Holm
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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Comments about California Wine Country Bike Tour:
I would give it an '11' if I could. Words cannot do justice to describe how awesome our experience was on this trip.
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The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind—you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due.
Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
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AVAILABLE TO BOOKi GOING FASTi CONTACT USi PRIVATE TRIP - RESERVEDi
Interested in a Private Trip? Check out the Make It Private tab for private dates available, or call us at 800-462-2848.
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.
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| 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 | 24* | 1000 | 37 | 1500 | ||||||
| 2 | 25* | 1700 | 47 | 2200 | 55 | 3300 | ||||
| 3 | 28* | 1000 | 36* | 2000 | 50* | 3000 | 60 | 3500 | ||
| 61 | 4500 | |||||||||
| 4 | 25* | 1800 | 33* | 2100 | 47 | 2700 | 57 | 4000 | ||
| 5 | 21* | 800 | 33* | 1500 | 45 | 1900 | 68 | 5500 | ||
| 6 | 14* | 700 | 27 | 1000 | ||||||
Note:
* Includes shuttle.
Learn more about how we determine our activity levels and fully support a range of abilities and interests.
Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources (such as Map My Ride and Garmin devices) may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies. Readings from a Garmin or a smart phone are influenced by other factors such as air pressure.
Drawing on more than 37 years' experience riding in our own backyard, we've created a range of Wine Country itineraries, all designed to ensure you fully enjoy your time here. This trip, created by an expert who's lived in the area for years, avoids most of the traffic while weaving together the best scenery and a selection of acclaimed vineyards. Whether you opt to challenge yourself with an epic hill or simply cruise to the next winery, our routes are all about choice.
Choose a Backroads Custom Titanium or Custom Electric Assist bike—both are included in your trip price. Maybe a Specialized carbon-fiber pro model is more your speed or go for double fun on a tandem. Our fleet is the best in active travel, so you don't have to roll the dice on this vital trip component. Learn why our titanium bikes are ideal for most riders. See the bike options for this trip.
Your ride comes equipped with a Garmin Edge Explore 1000, the best bike-touring GPS device on the market. This is a Backroads exclusive, and it's included with your bike in California Wine Country. If you prefer to bring your own device, we also have downloadable GPS files and of course, our good old paper directions are always available. Read more on why our navigation options are the best.
On our California Wine Country trips we have an extra leader supporting you along the road—for a total of three, compared to the industry standard two. So we can be in more places at once, giving personal attention to guests traveling at their own pace. Here's more on our Trip Leaders.
Backroads is the only active travel company providing two support vans in California Wine Country—because we know it's essential to ensure a truly great travel experience. It doubles our ability to be there when you need us to offer hydration, lighten your load or give you a lift if it's time to take a break. Read more on why two vans make all the difference.
We design and support our California Wine Country trips to suit mixed abilities and varied interests—so you can set your own pace, then change things up as the day unfolds. And all guests are free to do the same, traveling together or apart, with no one cramping anyone else's style. Which sounds easy in theory, but it's hard to pull off. Here's more on how we do it.
In California Wine Country you head off each morning after choosing among several expertly designed routes—all with detailed directions, mileage and shuttle options. Unlike trips with one fixed daily route (or worse, one guide that everyone's obliged to follow), you're free to enjoy the best of the region at your pace, stopping wherever you want to explore further.
Guests rave about our picnic spreads. Enjoy a welcome break in a scenic spot, or a quick refuel stop if you don't want to lose momentum. And because we have two vans, one can host lunch while the other is out providing support along the route.
With Backroads you won't end up with kids on what you thought was an adult trip; we have exclusive departures for families, so they're off having their own adventures. As you browse our unrivaled selection of trips and dates, you can count on finding a trip in California Wine Country that's geared exclusively to your choice of traveling companions.
Our Trip Leaders in California Wine Country live in the area and are deeply engaged in their communities, giving them unique inside knowledge they're happy to share in making your experience that much richer. They'll introduce you to people, customs and parts of town you'd likely never encounter on your own—and teach you a few local phrases to help break the ice.
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Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. You can pick from the selection of dates below for your group; some dates are only available for 16 or more guests while other dates are available for 8 or more guests. If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you. Call or email us to reserve your date.
Click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
8 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 8 OR MORE GUESTS 16 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 16 OR MORE GUESTS RESERVED
Don't see your ideal travel date? Make a Date! i
Invite your family and friends on an adventure that's entirely your own - for your group of 8 or more. Find out more
I simply can't imagine a better way to immerse yourself in the life of a region, to explore hidden corners and appreciate nuances while enjoying the benefits and enormous satisfaction of traveling under your own power. These are experiences you cannot have behind the wheel of a car, or on a train or a tour bus. Active travel is, at its heart, a way of connecting more authentically with the world. Sure, Backroads provides amazing leaders, superb accommodations and meals, and opportunities you could never arrange on your own. But all of our comprehensive planning and support is aimed at something far simpler: bringing you the immediate, highly personal satisfaction of discovering a new world on your own terms.
— Tom Hale, Founder & President
