1. Villa Ca’Toga
City: Wine Country, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (707) 942-3900
Description: Italian artist Carlo Marchiori is one of the eminent trompe l’oeil artists in the world, and Villa Ca’Toga—a mansion and work in progress on the outskirts of Calistoga—is his vision come to life. Faux pillars, staircases, and hanging plants are painted in three-dimensional realism on two-dimensional walls. Alcoves end abruptly at painted backdrops, and surprises lie around every corner. The house is open Saturday from May to October for a one-hour tour that begins at 11:00 a.m. Reservations are necessary, and you pick up your tickets and a map to the property at the Ca’Toga Galleria D’Arte at 1206 Cedar Street in downtown Calistoga (see the Arts and Culture chapter). Tickets are $25 per person, and children over 12 are welcome. No pets, please.
2. Infineon Raceway
City: Wine Country, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (707) 938-8448, (800) 870-7223
Description: Each year you’ll see some of the top names in the racing world compete at Infineon (formerly known as Sears Point Raceway) on the grueling road course, the rugged motocross dirt track, and the drag strip. Legends such as Mario Andretti, Al Unser (Sr. and Jr.), and Jeff Gordon have all toured the track, as well as Hollywood celebrities such as Paul Newman, Clint Eastwood, and James Garner. Annual events include NASCAR road races and sports car racing by the Sports Car Club of America with TRANS-AM, Formula Atlantic, and Pro Formula Ford entrants. Bike events include AMA motorcycle road races and several motocross races. Prices for events vary. (See the Spectator Sports chapter for more details.)
City: Wine Country, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
4. Luther Burbank Home And Gardens
City: Wine Country, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (707) 524-5445
Description: During his 53 years in Santa Rosa, horticulturist Luther Burbank changed the plant world, improving and hybridizing more than 800 varieties (see the close-up “Genius in the Garden” in this chapter). This National Historic Landmark features Burbank’s home, a carriage house, and the greenhouse where he performed his experiments. Outside you’ll find a lovely garden filled with the plants Burbank introduced to the world. Docent-led house tours are offered on the half hour Tuesday through Sunday from April through October. House tours, which are $4 for adults and free for children 12 and younger, run 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The gardens are open daily at no charge or $3 for an audio self-tour.
5. Jesse Peter Native American Art Museum
City: Wine Country, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (707) 527-4479
Description: Dedicated to arts and crafts created by Native Americans from the 19th century up to the present day, this museum contains an extensive assortment of baskets, including the extraordinarily beautiful baskets of the Pomo tribe. Most items displayed represent the work of California tribes, although beadwork of the Plains and Plateau tribes is on hand as well as some Eskimo art. There are replicas of a southwestern pueblo, a Pomo roundhouse, and a Klamath River xonta (a family shelter). This museum was undergoing renovation in 2008; please call the number above for an update.
6. The Hand Fan Museum
City: Wine Country, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (707) 431-2500
Description: Small but mighty, this tiny museum tucked into the north side of Hotel Healdsburg is a personal favorite. Claiming to be the only museum in the United States dedicated to the hand fan, it is overflowing with rare and historic fans, and most are considered pieces of art. Every type imaginable is on display. It might sound like an attraction only ladies will enjoy, but gentlemen find it fascinating too.
7. Berry’S Saw Mill
City: Wine Country, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (707) 865-2365
Description: This authentic sawmill offers visitors an opportunity to see trees sawed, split, and planed into usable lumber. Visitors can explore the mill on an informal basis—guided tours are not offered. It’s open at no charge Monday through Friday 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call ahead first to make certain the sawmill is running on the particular day you wish to visit.
8. Balloons Above The Valley
City: Wine Country, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (707) 253-2222, (800) 464-6824
9. Napa Valley Aloft
City: Wine Country, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (707) 944-8638, (900) 627-2759
10. Napa Valley Balloons
City: Wine Country, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (707) 944-0228, (800) 253-2224
11. A Balloon Over Sonoma
City: Wine Country, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (707) 546-3360
12. Above The Wine Country
City: Wine Country, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (707) 538-7359, (888) 238-6359
13. Up & Away
City: Wine Country, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (707) 836-0171, (800) 711-2998
14. Calistoga Cool Wine Tour
City: Wine Country, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (707) 942-9687, (866) 942-2453
Description: With this tour you get complimentary wine tasting at up to eight wineries that are slightly more off the beaten track (and therefore safer for two-wheelers). The bike shop will pick up your wine purchases from the wineries so you don’t have to figure out an imaginative way to bring them back on the bike. Even if you tire out, the shop will come and get you. It’s an affordable tour, too: $79 per person.
15. Healdsburg Walking Tours
City: Wine Country, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (707) 484-6249
Description: Here’s a novel idea: Save gas and walk. That’s exactly what Darla Meeker, your intrepid tour guide, would like you to do. She has a variety of walking tours around Healdsburg to choose from: food and wine, chocolate, homes and gardens, even a ghost walk (starting at twilight). The walks range from $20 to $30 per person, and reservations are recommended.