During spring, wildflowers and wine just go better together. Here are three places to get your fill of fresh blooms and fine vines. Lush-ous!  

Edgewood County Park is just one square mile, but this little open-space gem in Redwood City sure knows how to make the most of its natural "talent." Every spring, it blooms with dozens of types of wildflowers, with names that could be mistaken for musical groups: Woodland Stars, Blue-Eyed Grass, Indian Warrior, Sticky Monkey, and, uhhhh, Blue Dicks. Wildflower-junkies should join the Friends of Edgewood on their Saturday or Sunday docent-led wildflower walks through the park. The outing covers about 3 miles in 3 hours, with frequent stops to point out features that go unnoticed by most walkers, such as the California Sagebrush, which was also called Cowboy Cologne for its fresh scent (it was used by rugged adventurers in the Wild West before they went out for a night on the town). Do-it-yourself types should loop together the Sylvan, Ridgeview, and Edgewood Trails for a good 3- to 4-mile walk. Small and steady leads the way.

WINE: There's only one tasting room in Redwood City and it doesn't open its doors very often. Though it's located on the opposite (east) side of town, the recently remodeled La Honda Winery provides the perfect wildflower chaser. La Honda's humble exterior is a stark contrast to its warm and spacious interior. Get there Saturday, April 18 when they'll be pouring for the public as part of the Santa Cruz Mountains Passport Day.

For directions and a map of Edgewood County Park, visit their website. The Friends of Edgewood wildflower walks start at 10:00 a.m. and end around 1:00 p.m. They're running through June 7. No dogs. La Honda Winery, 2645 Fair Oaks Rd., Redwood City; 650-366-4104. On April 18, they will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. They are also open the third Saturday of every month; May 16, June 20, and so on. Directions from Edgewood County Park to La Honda Winery.

Sunol Regional Wilderness is one of the Bay Area's sweetest spots for finding spring wildflowers: Golden Poppies, Johnny-Jump-Ups, Milkmaids, and Sky Lupine color the park like sprinkles on cake. For an ambitious 5.5-mile hike that's filled with flowers and tremendous viewpoints over Sunol's lush valley, try the Cerro Este loop hike. Starting at Alameda Creek near the visitor center, wind 1.75 miles up the shaded Indian Joe Trail. Hang a right on the Cave Rocks Trail to gain more elevation and better views. Top-out at the Cerro Este overlook; at 1,700 feet, the wide-open views of Sunol's vast wilderness include Calaveras Reservoir and the rolling, sage green hills of the Diablo Range. Some of the best wildflower displays are saved for your descent; blossoms blanket the last part of the loop along the narrow Canyon View Trail, making it a feast for the eyes. TIP: The seventh annual Spring Wildflower Festival happens this Saturday, April 11; the family-friendly event includes live music, slideshows, crafts, and guided hikes.

WINE: Leave yourself enough time after the hike to swing by Livermore Valley's Tenuta Vineyards. Home to the first estate-grown Pinot in the Livermore area, Tenuta is a relaxing and playful walk on the wine side. (Their slogan is "Give us 30 minutes and we'll be friends for life.") Bring a picnic and grab a seat under an umbrella on their large patio and toast the day.

For directions and a map of Sunol Regional Wilderness, visit their website. It costs $5 to park. Dog-friendly! Tenuta Vineyards, 633 Kalthoff Common Rd., Livermore; 925-960-1006. There is a $5 tasting fee, which is waived with purchase. Directions from Sunol Regional Wilderness to Tenuta Vineyards.

Tucked back in a residential neighborhood in the Sonoma County town of Windsor, Foothill Regional Park pops with wildflowers each spring. The 211-acre preserve can be traversed within a few hours, but for a rolling 3-mile hike that covers the major highlights, loop together Three Lakes, Alta Vista, Oakwood, and Westside Trails. The route passes three small man-made lakes; along the way, Blue and Coast Live Oaks provide lots of shade, Buttercups and Lupine delight passers-by, and benches are plentiful. Justin Daubs' bench at the top of Alta Vista Trail offers a clear and clean western view of Windsor, the Santa Rosa Plain, and the Coast Range.

WINE: Family-owned Christopher Creek Winery is a brown-barn charmer that's just a few minutes shy of Foothill Regional Park. Their wines are available only in their friendly tasting room, and the winery's deep-red, estate Petite Sirah just won two double Golds. BONUS: Saturday, May 9 (11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), is Spring Fest, where neighboring wineries like Acorn and Mietz (normally accessible only by appointment) open their doors to the public.

For directions and a map of Foothill Regional Park, visit their website. Dog-friendly! Christopher Creek Winery; 641 Limerick Lane, Healdsburg; 707-433-2001. Open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. There is no fee to taste. Directions from Foothill Regional Park to Christopher Creek Winery.

It's your typical love story. Boy meets girl. They settle down. He gets pregnant.

Say what?

Get to the Monterey Bay Aquarium to learn how male seahorses give birth, and many more intimate, unusual, and totally revealing details at the brand new exhibit, Secret Lives of Seahorses. Discover the secrets of more than 15 kinds of seahorses, sea dragons, and pipefish. Find out why seahorses change colors, how shrimpfish and sea dragons are related (hey, cousin), and all the juicy details of seahorse courtship.


TIP: Avoid the lines by purchasing advance tickets online.

And while you're there, enter to win a Seahorse Soirée. You and nine of your closest friends could win a private cocktail party, a behind-the-scenes aquarium tour, and accommodations at the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa. Good times!

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