Who doesn’t love the springtime? As the cool weather and rain give way to sunshine and wildflowers, life begins anew in Northern California. If you’re thinking about planning a spring getaway, there’s no better time of year. You’ll avoid the crowds of tourist season, and the hills and valleys are as green and verdant as they can be.
Here are some of our favorite springtime destinations, tailor-made for a day (or two) trip.
1. Indigeny Reserve
An organic apple orchard, cidery, and distillery in Sonora Valley, the drive to Indigeny Reserve is almost as beautiful as the destination. Make a day of it: call ahead and reserve a picnic table, and don’t worry about the beverages because they’ve got plenty of cider and spirits to sample.
2. Half Moon Bay
A beachside artist community on the peninsula, Half Moon Bay is a great place to stroll, shop, and enjoy the ocean views. Sunsets are particularly memorable there, and at a certain time day, you might see a dramatic tule fog rolling in over the mountains. Hike the Devil’s Slide trail to see incredible coastal flowers and sea birds.
3. Wine Country
We all know about Napa Valley, and its beauty is unrivaled in the springtime. The expanse of yellow mustard flowers between the vines are iconic, and, of course, the wine and the food are spectacular. In fact, it’s hard to get a bad meal anywhere in the valley, even at roadside stands, you can’t go wrong. A little closer to home, however, you’ll find our very own wine country. Amador County, Lodi, Shenandoah Valley – it’s all right here, and Zinfandel rules them all.
4. Tri-Valley Beer Trail
The Tri-Valley area of Amador-Livermore-San Ramon was once the epicenter of premium hops. Today, it is known for its emerging craft beer culture, and visitors can sample their way through the beer trail, stopping off at one of the 18 breweries and brewpubs along the way. Just across the Bay Bridge in Berkeley, there are another ten microbreweries, including Triple Rock Brewery, known as the oldest in the USA.
5. Shasta Cascade
One of the most stunning landscapes in Northern California, Shasta Cascade is a destination for boaters and watersport enthusiasts. Just north of Mendocino (don’t forget to stop off at some of Mendo’s wineries along the way), the Shasta Cascade covers about 20 percent of the state and is known as the “houseboat capital of the world.” it’s easy to rent a floating cabin and drift off into the cool springtime waters of Shasta Lake, Trinity Lake, Whiskeytown Lake, or one of the many lakes in the area.
Do you have any favorite springtime getaways in Northern California? We’d love to hear about them! Reach out today to connect and share the love.
