Tandem to Tastings

Tandem Bike to Wineries in Sonoma

There are certain activities that really showcase the subtle and not-so-subtle interactions of a couple. Cue the tandem bike. And toss in some wine! There might be no better place to try a tandem than in Sonoma, because of its easygoing bike route that connects multiple wineries. Ready to double-up (or, double-down…)? Rent your two-person cruiser at Wine Country Cyclery or Sonoma Valley Bike Tours and ask for a map. A few considerations before you roll: the person in front controls the brakes, while the person in back can decide not to pedal, and nobody will know the difference. Let the shenanigans begin! Pedal past Sonoma State Historic Park's General Vallejo Residence and follow the bike path east to Lovall Valley Road, gateway to some star wineries. Test your four-legged pedal-power on the Gehricke Road incline to Ravenswood Winery, tucked on a hillside. Relax with some rosé on the Adirondack chairs overlooking the valley hills. After a little wine, the downhill goes smoothly, and quickly! Our recommendation: bike to Sonoma's Best for deli sandwiches and choose a route. Bartholomew Park Winery has excellent picnic options under stately oak trees, and neighboring Buena Vista is a California Historic Landmark. Ambitious riders should pedal the country road to Gundlach Bundschu (aka GunBun), the oldest family-run winery in California. Lock up your bike and spend some time strolling the Plaza too—the tasting rooms are within walking distance. Double trouble!

Wine Country Cyclery, 262 West Napa St., (707) 996-6800. Sonoma Valley Bike Tours, 1254 Broadway, (707) 996-2453. Rental rates range from $40 to $60. There are limited tandems so book ahead. The bike path is dog-friendly and so are the wineries, though we’ve yet to see a dog riding a tandem.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Napa's Art of the Matter

    Downtown Napa uncorks more than just excellent wine. Art has firmly established itself along the walkways and parkways in the area, punctuated by an annual ArtWalk (year-round) and a temporary Lighted Art Festival.

    View
  2. Animal Encounters

    Located where Redding’s famous Sundial Bridge overlooks the Sacramento River, Turtle Bay Exploration Park is 300 acres of gardens, a museum and playground, aquarium, and unforgettable up-close animal encounters!

    View
  3. Tamtastic Sunset

    Sure, the East Peak of Mount Tam is absolutely spectacular at sunset, but some magic-hour enthusiasts are onto a fresh perspective in getting a little more personal space for their panoramic viewings.

    View
  4. Hike Artdoors

    Add a little color to your new year. This 3-mile loop through the Montalvo Arts Center mixes the beauty of the natural world with local artists’ creations.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Locals' Feature: Max Smith of Moment Skis

    Meet Max Smith, VP of Moment Skis in Reno, Nevada. Moment is the largest ski manufacturer in the US and you can see how their innovative and artistic skis are made by visiting Moment Skis headquarters in Reno. The Factory is where the magic happens, so drop in for a visit and say hi to the team, including employee dogs who are on quality control.

    View
  2. Sundialed

    Redding is home to one of the world’s most famous pedestrian-only bridges—the Sundial Bridge was created by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava (its sister bridges are in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Seville, Spain). The glass-deck bridge across the Sacramento River is a true sundial....

    View
  3. Mural Roll

    Redding’s bikeshare program encourages biking in and around the city, including downtown. It’s a fun way to see some of the city’s mural art while also stopping for lunch at one of the newest restaurants, Pipeline Craft Taps and Kitchen.

    View
  4. View from Keys View Joshua Tree

    Trio of Trails

    Get into Joshua Tree National Park Park early and hit the classic circuit of short trails before the crowds arrive. We also have some food and overnight recos.

    View