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09.17.09

Grape Escape

It’s that time of year—the harvest is on in wine country. Whet your palate before hitting the wineries with these three adventure appetizers.

Kayak Napa Valley

Wine Country Cruise

Enthusiasm is contagious, and Laurie Aboudara-Robertson of Kayak Napa Valley has the kayaking bug. Laurie and fellow middle-school teacher Elizabeth Pearson started Kayak Napa Valley last summer as an ode to their passion for paddling. To see a side of Napa most people don't know exists, join them on morning or afternoon kayak excursions. Their fleet of hefty sit-on-top kayaks is perfect for cruising the wide and mellow Napa River and each has a laminated bird placard to help identify the area's winged wildlife. Birds here include blue heron, great egrets and stilts. Since longtime locals Laurie or Elizabeth will be your guide, feel free to ask questions and get the full story on the region. After an hour of floating and paddling, mingle with others by linking kayaks mid-river and indulging in some tasty snacks. Nosh and enjoy the valley views. Take your time on the return paddle. In Napa the only thing to worry about is where you're going next for some wine.

TIP: Once a season, Kayak Napa Valley donates its kayaks for use in a Napa River cleanup day. Hang out on the river, pick up some garbage, and get a complimentary lunch at Compadres Mexican Bar & Grill. The next cleanup day is Nov. 14.

Kayak Napa Valley (707-501-8585) launches from various sites on the Napa River. Upon booking a trip, they will confirm where you'll meet. Each three-hour trip is $50 per person.

Activity
Water
Region
North Bay

Nutty Buddy

Sure, he has 23 acres of prime Napa Valley real estate but you won't find wine grapes growing on John Hoffman's land. Since the early 1980s John, 93, and his wife, Margaret, have pioneered a successful u-pick operation out of their spacious backyard which extends to the banks of the Napa River. The pick of the bunch? Walnuts. Oh, they also grow apples, pears, and persimmons, but at Hoffman Ranch it's all about the walnuts. The secret to the success of the walnut groves is the alluvial soil found in the Napa region. It's rich in nutrients and minerals and has great drainage—perfect for walnuts (or wine grapes). John's still hard at work on his farm, and still manages to find time to nurse a stellar collection of bonsi trees (if you ask, he may show you). He greets guests at the ranch and points them toward the best walnut trees. Grab a white bucket and start picking. At $1 per pound, this might be the best deal in the valley.

Hoffman Ranch, 2125 Silverado Trail, Napa; 707-226-8938. Here is a map to the ranch.The ranch is usually open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Walnuts will be ready to pick around the beginning of October.

Activity
Relax
Region
North Bay
Annadel State Park Mountain Bike

Refreshing Ride

To add a little zip to the laid-back wine country lifestyle, grab your mountain bike and head to Sonoma County's premier knobby tire playground—Annadel State Park. Riders of all levels will enjoy the 40 miles of trails—much of it singletrack. Perm-a-grin is a common side effect as you zigzag through 5,000 acres of woodlands, meadows, marshes, and rolling hills. For an intermediate experience, head up Warren Richardson trail through the canopy of Douglas fir forest. Veer off onto Two Quarry Trail; climbing the toughest part of the ride (some sections might require a hike-a-bike). Pop out at the expansive Buick Meadow keeping an eye out for deer, coyotes, and the occasional golden eagle. Then enjoy a 3-mile section of the Marsh Trail weaving to the 26-acre Lake Ilsanjo. Ahhh, refreshment. Take a dip! Soak in the sun to dry off then hop back on your bike. You're only a short downhill ride away from the parking lot.

For directions to the park, visit Annadel State Park's Web site. From the parking area, climb up Warren Richardson fire road for 1 mile; take Two Quarry Trail on the left. Stay on it for about 2 miles. Make a right on Marsh Trail and go about 3 miles. At the Canyon Trail intersection go right toward the lake. Follow the Lake Trail around the lake and get back on the Warren Richardson fire road which takes you back to the parking lot.

Activity
Bike
Region
North Bay
Tour de Fat San Francisco

Fat Tire and Friends

Come one, come all, come to the fattest festival of them all! New Belgium Brewing (makers of Fat Tire beer) is once again pedaling the infamous Tour de Fat into San Francisco's Golden Gate Park on Sept. 26. This venerable circus on wheels celebrates the original green vehicle: the bicycle. Start things off with a costumed bike parade and keep the fun going with a celebration of human-powered transportation, and plenty of live entertainment on a solar-powered stage. Register to be a part of the show and deck out your bike and costume; or just show up on your bike in support of the tour. (Non-cyclists are more than welcome to join, too!) Be part of the Cruisade! Brought to you by New Belgium Brewing—the company that sustainably produces world-class beers at its wind-powered brewing facility in Colorado.

BONUS: Would you trade your car for a bike? One brave soul will be chosen to hand over his or her car keys as a commitment to commuting by bike. In return: a hand-built Black Sheep commuter bike. To be considered, submit a video or essay describing your desire to be car-free for a year. Ride on!

The parade starts at 11:00 a.m. at Golden Gate Park's Speedway Meadow. There is no fee to attend, but donations are encouraged and benefit the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and the Bay Area Ridge Trail.

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