ATTRACTIONS
Inn-spiring Wine Country setting

The Best Western Sonoma Valley Inn is conveniently located just steps from the historic Sonoma Plaza and minutes from the award-winning restaurants and world-class wineries of the Sonoma Valley, Carneros, and Napa Valley appellations. You'll also find dozens of other culinary, historic, recreational, and family attractions within easy walking and driving distance.

. More than 180 world-class Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley wineries and tasting rooms
. More than 180 Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley restaurants


. Historic Sonoma Plaza

Just a short walk from the Best Western Sonoma Valley Inn, the eight-acre Sonoma Plaza is the largest town square of its kind in California and a National Historic Landmark built in 1835. The carefully preserved adobe buildings include the Mexican Army Barracks, General Vallejo's home, and the Mission San Francisco Solano de Sonoma, the last in California's 21-mission chain. The Plaza was also the site of the Bear Flag Revolt in 1846, an event that led to California statehood. For more information about the many historic sites on and around the Plaza, visit www.parks.sonoma.net.

. Napa Valley

This world-renowned grape-growing region spans more than 30 miles of agricultural land speckled with hundreds of wineries. The historic town of Napa sits at the southern end of the valley, providing an inviting gateway to the charming rural communities of Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, and Calistoga to the north. For information about the many things to see and do in the Napa Valley, visit www.napavalley.com.

. Jack London State Park

A 1959 gift of land-about 40 acres-from an heir to the Jack London estate marked the beginning of what is now a beautiful 800-acre state park in Glen Ellen, a 20-minute drive from the Best Western Sonoma Valley Inn. In addition to meadows, forests, redwoods, and wildflowers, the park includes London's grave, a museum, and the ruins of Wolf House, London's dream home, which burned to the ground just weeks before he was scheduled to move in. Trails take you to breathtaking views of the valley, and through the grounds of London's Beauty Ranch. The park is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.parks.sonoma.net.

. Sonoma Overlook Trail

This gently graded, two-mile trail leads through shaded oak woodlands and sunny meadows to a stunning view of Sonoma and San Pablo Bay. The hike takes about two hours. The trailhead is located just off the Sonoma Plaza, outside the gate of Mountain Cemetery at 90 First Street West. Docent-led hikes are available. For more information call 707-996-9744 or visit www.bestinsonoma.com/best_hikes.htm

. Train Town

Sure to delight parents and children alike, Sonoma's Train Town is one of the country's largest scale-railroads. It's open daily from June through September and on Fridays and weekends the rest of the year. A petting zoo, Ferris wheel, carousel, roller coaster, and other vintage rides are also on the grounds. For more information, call 707-938-3912 or visit www.traintown.com.

. Napa Valley Wine Train

Traveling a rail line built in 1847, the Napa Valley Wine Train provides relaxing, three-hour scenic excursions that include gourmet brunches, lunches, and dinners on a 36-mile round trip that runs south from the historic town of Napa north to the quaint village of St. Helena and back. Passengers enjoy the vineyard and winery views from any of the lavishly restored, vintage 1915-47 rail cars. Advance reservations are required. For more information, visit www.winetrain.com.

. Eco Tours

Parks, trails, valleys, and hills abound in Sonoma Valley, which includes 13,000 acres of parkland. Our concierge can recommend docent-led or self-guided hikes throughout the region and just a short distance away. For a list of nearby parks and information on Sonoma Valley ecology, visit www.sonomavalley.com.

. Day Spas:

Catalina's
Services for your mind, body, and total well-being. Located on the Plaza at 535 First Street West, a three-minute walk. Call 707-933-3860.

Bianchi West
Pampering parties, bridal showers, birthday celebrations, and wedding beauty treatments. Located at 248 West Napa Street, Suite B, next to Fiorini's Bakery and Café, a five-minute walk. Call 707-996-6002.

Sonoma Spa on the Plaza
Facials, body treatments, spa packages, and full and specialty massages. Located on the Plaza at 457 First Street West, a three-minute walk. Call 707-939-8770. 

. Ramekins Culinary School

Explore the culinary arts during your stay by signing up for cooking classes at Ramekins Sonoma Valley Culinary School. Offerings include team classes and private-class parties covering scores of topics from appetizers to desserts to entrees in every style of cuisine. Ramekins is located just four blocks from the Sonoma Plaza at 450 West Spain Street. For more information, visit www.ramekins.com. 

. Culinary Institute of America at Greystone

The California campus of the Culinary Institute of America, located in St. Helena in the Napa Valley since 1995, provides continuing education opportunities and career development programs for food, wine, and hospitality professionals. For visitors, it offers cooking demonstrations, shopping for everything culinary, fresh baked goods in the new café, and dining at the Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant, all surrounded by 15 acres of gardens and vineyards. For more information, visit www.ciachef.edu.

. Copia

Visit the country's first cultural center and museum dedicated to celebrating America's contributions to wine, food, and the arts. Take a cooking class, view exhibits, and attend special programs in the gardens, galleries, and theater. You can also savor a glass of wine at the Wine Spectator Tasting Table, enjoy a meal in Julia's Kitchen, or buy a picnic lunch at the American Market Café and relax on Copia's beautiful grounds. In Napa, a 30-minute drive from the Best Western Sonoma Valley Inn, Copia is open Wednesday through Monday (closed Tuesdays) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.copia.org.

. Horseback Riding

Wander through vineyards on horseback at the Roche Winery, or explore the trails of nearby state parks on the trusty steeds of the Triple Creek Horse Outfit. Both organizations offer guided tours for riders of all abilities, and both can tailor an outing to suit your needs. Roche Winery is within a 10-minute drive from the Best Western Sonoma Valley Inn. For more information, visit www.rochewinery.com. Triple Creek Horse Outfit offers rides in several Sonoma and Napa locations, all within a 30-minute drive from the Best Western Sonoma Valley Inn. For more information, visit www.triplecreekhorseoutfit.com.

. Infineon Raceway and Jim Russell Racing School

Experience thrills and speed at Sonoma's world-renowned Infineon Raceway. Come see some of the world's best drivers take to the track, or rev your own engine at the Jim Russell Racing School. Offering everything from karting and performance driving classes to group adventures to guided "hot laps" around the track, this school will surely add a note of adrenaline to your Sonoma stay. Infineon Raceway and the Russell Racing School are a 10-minute drive (at the speed limit, please!) from the Best Western Sonoma Valley Inn. For more information, visit www.infineonraceway.com.

. Biplane Rides

Soar through the air above beautiful Sonoma Valley in an expertly restored vintage biplane. Take a leisurely excursion or add a few aerobatic thrills. Flights leave from the Sonoma Valley Airport, just a 10-minute drive from the Best Western Sonoma Valley Inn on Highway 121. For more information, visit www.vintageaircraftco.com.

. Hot-Air Balloon Rides

The Napa Valley is second only to South Africa as a center of hot-air ballooning. Choose from a wide range of breathtaking scenic adventures offered by multiple providers. For details, visit www.napavalley.com/thingstodo/ballooning_skydiving/featured.html.

. Cave Wineries

Are you ready for some upscale spelunking? Several wineries in the Sonoma Valley store and age their wines in underground caves. Rich with atmosphere, these caves provide natural climate and humidity control, ultimately contributing to the wine's final flavor. Tours are available by appointment, and most of the wineries listed below are a 10- to 20-minute drive from the Best Western Sonoma Valley Inn. For more information, visit:

. Benziger Family Winery www.benziger.com
. Buena Vista Winery www.buenavistawinery.com
. Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves www.gloriaferrer.com
. Kunde Estate Winery & Vineyard www.kunde.com
. Schug Carneros Estate Winery www.schugwinery.com

. Golf Courses

Not every square inch of Sonoma Valley soil is reserved for planting grapes or olives. If golf is your passion, you'll find many beautiful golf courses within a short drive of the Best Western Sonoma Valley Inn. For more information, visit www.sonoma.com/thingstodo/golf/featured.html .

. Outlet Shopping

The Napa Valley offers two shopping centers devoted to brand-name bargain hunting. Napa Premium Outlets comprises 50 outlet stores, including Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Barneys New York, Calvin Klein, Coach, Cole-Haan, Ellen Tracy, J. Crew, Jones New York, Kenneth Cole, Liz Claiborne, Timberland, Tommy Hilfiger, and TSE. For more information, visit www.premiumoutlets.com. Further north, shoppers can browse the upscale stores at St. Helena Premier Outlets, featuring Brooks Brothers, Escada, Jones New York, Coach, Tumi, Movado, Spirits in Stone, and Sunglass Outfitters. For more information, visit www.sthelenapremieroutlets.com.

Many more touring destinations and activities await you in the Sonoma and Napa Valleys. For details and more ideas, see the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau Web site at www.sonomavalley.com or the Napa Valley Conference & Visitors Bureau Web site at www.napavalley.com.