Travelling with children in California’s wine country
There are two ways to plan a family winery tour in California. One way would be to find areas growing the varieties of wine you are interested in. Another approach is to consider the scenic and historic attractions of a particular region. There are five major winemaking areas in California; each one has something to offer families with children.
A major attraction of Sonoma County is the Larson Family Winery which features picnic tables and farmyard animals. Sonoma is also home to Landmark Vineyards which features wagon rides for kids on Saturdays during the summer. The region has around 250 wineries that produce any wine variety that you can imagine.
In Santa Barbara, the winery at Zaca Mesa is an ideal picnic spot for families. The city also features an arts and crafts show held near the coastline. The show features only goods that have been produced locally by the artisans.
The Napa Valley has rolling hillside scenery with many bike tracks. The valley has an ideal family destination in the Tres Sabores winery. Here, kids can go on scavenger hunts, or get up close with the farm animals while the parents get on with the wine tasting.
Paso Robles has a quaint, old-fashioned atmosphere that brings the holidaymakers back year after year. At Bianchi Vineyards, the kids will be fascinated by the koi and the remote controlled sailing boats on the lake. Paso Robles also hosts festivals during the year that are sponsored by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance.
The Temecula Valley has over 30 wineries and holidaymakers can enjoy wine tastings in Old Town Temecula. Old Town also has a fascinating museum featuring exhibits on the local wildlife and Native American culture. The valley is also host to an annual balloon and wine festival where wine and hot air balloons make a heady combination.