21. Feel Like a Belle
All you need is a parasol and a hoop dress and you feel like the perfect belle of the ball, as you take a carriage ride around Lake Tahoe. You’ll be accompanied by a historian. Lots of photo opportunities. Be sure to have one picture taken of you and your special someone with the Lake in the background!

22. Be a Farmer for a Day
Go on the Farm Trails and discover Rustic America. Sonoma County is one of the US’ key agricultural areas, with the fertile soil yielding fruit, vegetables, as well as the grapes that have made it one of the world’s most famous wine areas. Farm Trails let you explore a completely different life, feeding the livestock and picking fruits. You can even get fresh produce straight from the farmer, and visit wineries, breweries and cheese factories. This is perfect for anyone who’s ever dreamed of retiring to the countryside. Try scheduling your trip during August 11 and 12 to participate in the Apple Fair. Read more at http://www.farmtrails.org

23. Travel by Train
Combine great wine, great food, and romantic interiors—no, not at a restaurant, but by going aboard a beautifully restored antique train (circa 1915) for a tour of the Napa Valley. You are served lunch, and given a wine tasting tour right before you board. The train also has a wine tasting car. Now that’s a unique way of “savoring” the view! http://www.winetrain.com

24. Go Kayaking on the Russian River
The Russian River winds through serene landscape, embraced on both sides by vineyards and lush landscapes. Explore this by kayak, for a serene and enchanting ride with amazing scenery embracing you from all sides, and a chance to see wildlife like snowy egrets and blue herons. Plenty of chances for swimming, too! http://www.russianrivertravel.com

25. Enjoy a Moonlight Boat Ride
This is a romantic and unique way of taking in the breathtaking scenery of Lake Sonoma. The tour starts with a picnic dinner, with dessert served at sunset. Then, watch the moon rise over the lake as you explore the countryside by kayak. http://www.parks.sonoma.net/laktrls.html

26. Have a Champagne Breakfast by the Cove
Take one of the many Lake Tahoe cruises, many of which offer delightful hot and cold breakfast buffets. Some will even show videos of the historical areas and the underwater treasures of the lake. The cruise includes stops to key tourist attractions, including casinos and the best picture-perfect spots.

27. Go on a Safari
Head to the Porter Creek Road and see the Safari West Wildlife Preserve & Tent Camp. Consistently ranked as one of the favorite family attractions in Sonoma, this place is home to nearly 500 animals and birds, such as zebras, giraffes, lemurs, and big cats. Your kids will love it! You’ll even have safari-like accommodations like canvas tents, for that “out of Africa” vibe. http://www.safariwest.com

28. Hear a Family Secret
The Ledson family has been making fine wines for generations. Hear some of the secrets that have made this winery so respected, and participate in special wine tours or sign up for a wine club. For your convenience you can also check in the Ledson’s Hotel, or schedule your trip during the special tasting events. http://www.ledson.com

29. Have a Great Time at Howarth’s
Howarth Park, on Summerfield Road, has loads of family activities for every age and personality. You can go on a picnic underneath the oak and eucalyptus trees. Dad can go fishing or fire up a barbecue, kids can go sailing, and you can burn off those calories with a game of tennis or a relaxing jog around the park. Schedule your trip during the summer and you can even ride a carousel or a train.

30. Support the Arts
Between the Sonoma and Napa Valley you will find the di Rosa Preserve, which is home to one of the United States most extensive regional art collections. And unlike most museums around the world, the paintings are surrounded by Mother Nature’s own masterpiece: miles and miles of beautiful landscape, thanks to the vineyard setting.

11. Pay Homage to Snoopy
Visit the Charles M. Schulz Museum and see comic strips, story boards, and other “Peanuts” paraphernalia. Schulz, who called Sonoma County his hometown, was one of the most important American cartoonists—and some say, modern-day philosophers. Come and visit—you may even see The Great Pumpkin. http://www.snoopy.com

12. Live the High Life
Feel like a Hollywood star and see California via limo! This is one of the best ways to go on a wine tour. You get to sip the latest vintage in comfort, and feel very cultured, very pampered, and very elite—at least, for a few days. (Paparazzi not included.)

13. Go Skiing on Lake Tahoe
While California is primarily associated with beaches and sunny weather, you can also indulge in skiing, snow and winter sports at the Lake Tahoe area. Not a bad way to end the year!

14. See a Rare Bird
Bodega Bay is one of the favorite haunts of members of the Audobon Society, since it’s the nesting grounds of some of America’s rarest birds (and quite a few whales and ocean animals, too!). After a day of roughing it out in nature, retire to the award-winning Bodega Bay Lodge & Spa, which has ocean-view pools and spa services. http://www.bodegabaylodge.com

15. See Sonoma by Mountain Bike
Join small guided tours (less than 10 people) that will take you through Northern California’s best trails. Pass through Annadel State Park, meadows, coastlines, and forests of Douglas-fir, Bay, Redwood, and Manzanita. The tour includes a relaxing lunch by the lake, where you can cool off by swimming. Open to both beginner and advanced riders.

16. Explore the Wilderness
At the Pt Reyes wilderness reserve you can explore over 140 miles of hiking trails that cover diverse terrain. The view is fantastic, the air is fresh, and entrance is free. (You even get a complimentary map!) Pack a picnic lunch and you can spend the whole day there, just walking through the forest or relaxing under the shade.

17. Take a Scenic Air Tour
You may not have the time to “see everything” – at least, not in the traditional sense. But with one special scenic air tour you can travel over miles and miles of land in mere hours, taking amazing photographs and even reaching spots that are normally inaccessible by road. Your pilot can also give geographical and historical information, or customize the trip especially for you. Visit www.sonomacountytravels.com/scenic-air-tours.php for more information.

18. Take the “Golden Route.”
California’s famous Highway 1 will take you through the world’s most beautiful coastlines. Get an amazing view of the Pacific ocean, going past beaches and tree-lined paths. Roll down the windows and breathe in the refreshing breeze. Drink in the freedom of the clear, blue horizon. No wonder it’s called the “All American Road.”

19. Discover an Ancient Forest
What a refreshing change from skyscrapers and cramped condos or office cubicles! Armstrong Woods has over 805 meters of tree groves (some dating to over 1,500 years old). These redwoods reach up to 300 feet, creating an amazing canopy for long walks and relaxing picnics. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=450

20. Meet Mark Twain
Hear about the history of California from one of the country’s best story tellers, Mark Twain. A professional actor and historian will portray the famous writer as he talks about the beginning of his writing career in 1964, with interesting trivia on the Gold Rush woven in between.

1. It’s a Golfer’s Paradise
There are over 16 golf courses in Sonoma County, many of them near luxurious accommodations where you can celebrate a great game (or “forget” a bad one) with good food, spa facilities, and luxurious beddings.

2. Fly to New Heights
Ride a hot air balloon for a completely different kind of tour. Take lots of photos, and get a 360-degree bird’s eye view of the amazing California landscape.

3. Wash Away Your Worries
California has a natural source of hot water springs, which the Sonoma Mission Spa has turned into a holistic bathing ritual (using top-of-the-line Jacuzzis and steam rooms). Guaranteed to soothe tired muscles and worn-out spirits—and leave you glowing and refreshed. Try the other 40 treatments, too!

4. Unlock the Secrets of Wine
Go on a wine-tasting tour at any of the 200 wineries located in Sonoma county. Learn about the different kinds of grapes, and the different factors—mixture, climate, soil, and picking procedure—that make each vintage unique. By the end of the course, you’ll be the smartest person at the cocktail party.

5. Get Your Pilot’s License
Sonoma’s one of the best places to fulfill your dream of flying your own plane! From on-ground lessons to one-on-one guided flights to your first solo flight, you’ll be guided by experienced, patient flight instructors who actually care about your progress and will adapt a learning plan just for you. Go to http://www.sonomacountytravels.com for more information.

6. Get a Golden Tan
This is California, after all! Hit the beaches and enjoy the great weather, the refreshing ocean, and the brilliant blue sky!

7. Explore the Arts Scene
Sonoma County has a thriving arts and crafts scene. ARTrails provides a rare opportunity for the public to meet local artists in their studios and learn about their diverse creative processes and techniques. Through hands-on demonstrations as well as intimate conversations, ARTrails artists will take you into their world for a day. Go to http://www.artrails.org/

8. Mix Business and Pleasure
Santa Rosa, the largest city in Sonoma County, has excellent facilities for meetings and conventions. Go ahead, have that team building exercise or hole up for that mid-year review. Then reward yourself with a night on the town. After all that work, you deserve it!

9. It’s in the Middle of Everything
Sonoma County is just 55 miles north of San Francisco, and 30 miles east of the Pacific Ocean. That makes it very accessible to both the key business districts and premium recreation and vacation spots. Talk about having it all!

10. Let Nature Heal You
Lake Sonoma is a 17,700-acre reserve where you and your kids can escape from the stress of work and housework. Choose a quiet, shady spot under a tree where you can read a book or sketch. Or, take a calming walk through a canopy of oak, madrone, alder, redwood and bay trees. You don’t even have to worry about entertaining the kids—they can go hiking, swimming or bird watching.