Vacaville, Ca: The Vacaville Museum

In the rolling hills just west of Sacramento Valley is Vacaville. This town, nestled in the hills is off the 99 freeway, just an hour from San Francisco, and within minutes of the Napa and Sonoma wine countries.

If you want to soak in some of the local art, there are a few places you can go. The Vacaville Museum, a Center for Solano County History, has the current exhibit, Serigrafia, designs from California’s silkscreen master printmakers.  Only $3 for adults to tour the museum Tuesday through Friday. Vacaville is also becoming known for its Public Art, located throughout the community. Some of the best places to find public art in Vacaville are in the downtown, at City Hall, and at the Vacaville Cultural Center. And while you are downtown, pick up a brew at TJs Tavern.

If you are in the mood for something a little richer, visit the BackDoor Bistro. At BackDoor Bistro, they emphasize local and sustainable cuisine and offer a variety of wine selections. Balanced plates and local music create a great atmosphere for gathering after a nice ride. Join them for their Happy Hour from 5 to 7.

For more information about these places, visit their websites. 

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Indio, CA - Indio International Tamale Festival

Next weekend take a trip to the 23rd annual Indio International Tamale Festival on December 6-7, 2014. Right off of Highway 111, in Old Town Indio, this festival is a favorite for many. Food Network-TV has ranked it in the top 10 "All-American Food Festivals" in the nation. No matter your taste in entertainment, this festival is sure to please. And best of all it is free to the public!

Wind through the streets of Miles, Towne, Smurr and Requa to see the entire splendor. The festival begins with the Parade at 10 am on Saturday, featuring boxing champ Randy Caballero as Grand Marshall, riding with Indio Mayor Lupe Ramos and also see Santa on an antique fire truck at the end. Also view some of the show cars that will be featured during the 2nd annual Car Show that accompanies the festival. Take a trip down Requa st to view and judge for yourself in seven different categories. Sunday afternoon, trophies will be awarded to the winners.

If you have a bottomless stomach, sign up for the annual tamale eating contest. The reigning champ since 2009, Charles G. Bill, Jr, is looking for challengers. You can sign up for that at any one of the stages that will have entertainment. Live music, dancing, singing, juggling, and other diverse performances will be held on one of the five stages available. Stay and watch the Best Tamale Contest where last year’s champion, Texifornia Tamale Co., will again be vying for the title. A carnival will be open until 10pm each night too, providing rides and games to play. Original art work, including painting, photography, sculpture, and textiles from at least 25 artists will be on display and for sale.  Guests can enjoy wine tasting in the wine lounge, and beer from Coachella Valley Brewery will also be available in an adjoining beer garden.

For more information, visit the Indio International Tamale Festival website. Pictures courtesy of  www.tamalefestival.net

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Morro Bay, CA

Take a ride up the Pacific Coast Highway and visit one of the nicest beach towns in central California. The seaside village of Morro Bay is a getaway for travelers seeking a gorgeous natural setting. Located along scenic Highway 1 midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Morro Bay is a beautiful ride and not far off the beaten

path. Once you experience the beauty and charm , not to mention the fun you’ll have just plain relaxing, you will have a hard time going home. Visit the beautiful Morro Bay Rock on the beach to take in the real splendor of this town.

Before you move on, be sure to stop into Fish Bonez, a new seafood restaurant in the middle of downtown Morro Bay. Fish Bonez specializes in fusion cuisine that pairs Italian, Asian and Mexican influences and merges them together with California's freshest seafood, steak, lamb, chicken as well as some of California’s best wines.

But if you are really looking for a good wine, check out the hottest new wine bar on the Central Coast, STAX Wine Bar and Bistro. Choose from over 100 local and international wines. Enjoy daily tastings, and wine by the glass, as well as panini sandwiches, gourmet meats and cheese plates. Be sure to stop in for the live entertainment that they have weekly.

For more information about Morro Bay, Fish Bonez or STAXWine Bar and Bistro, visit their websites.Picture courtesy of The City of Morro Bay.

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Ramona CA-Oktoberfest

Looking for a reason to get out for the weekend? Music, food, wine and of course, beer will be on tap for Ramona's third annual Oktoberfest on October 4th. Oktoberfest means "celebration of the harvest" and this year there will be plenty to celebrate. The event will feature traditional Bavarian accordion musicians, a beer garden, stocked by Stone Brewery of Escondido and a wine garden showcasing local Ramona wines. Traditional Bavarian food, such as brats and pretzels, will also be available.

Enjoy a long ride through the mountain pass on your way. There is plenty of fun for adults with horseshoes and more contests. And don’t miss the car show and more than 70 commercial and craft vendors that will be on there.

Military and children under 10 get in fir free and $10 admission for everyone else. For more information, visit their website at the Ramona Chamber.

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Fort Bragg, CA: Mendocino Clinic's 15th Annual Crab & Wine Days & Beer Festival

Mendocino County’s rugged coastline has been home to generations of fishermen who harvest the bounties of our cold, clear Pacific Ocean—and this includes delicious Dungeness crab. And, every January, Mendocino County celebrates this delightful crustacean and locally grown and produced wines and beers with a Festival that delights foodies, oenophiles, and beer lovers alike!

The highlight of the crab season is Mendocino County’s 10-day Crab, Wine & Beer Festival. Enjoy gourmet, crab-themed dinners, family-style crab and cioppino feeds, crab fishing adventures, a Wine Competition showcasing local wines that pair well with crab, and the ever popular Crab Cake Cook-off featuring Mendocino County chefs. Events take place throughout the County, from the inland valleys to the coast.

Discover gourmet restaurants, unique inns, picturesque villages, friendly wineries, majestic redwoods, and rugged seaside. With dozens of events and activities, enjoy the countywide tradition of coming together as a community and indulging in delicious local seafood.

The signature event of the festival, Mendocino Clinic's 15th Annual Crab & Wine Days Cioppino Feed and Crab Cake Cook-off and Wine Competition, a fundraiser for Mendocino Coast Clinics, will be January 24 and 25, 2013. With Dungeness Crab, Mendocino Wines & Brews, online sales for both the Cioppino Dinner & the Crab Cake Cook-Off and Wine Tasting Competition will be acknowledged by email.

Tomatoes, onions, garlic & seasonings are blended during a long simmer. Hundreds of pounds of fresh Dungeness crab, caught off the North coast and donated by Noyo Harbor's Caito Fisheries fills the giant Crab pot! MCC Staff serves our Cioppino Dinner family-style with tossed salad, Cafe Beaujolais bread for dipping, dessert, locally roasted Thanksgiving Coffee, bibs and lots of napkins! North Coast Brewing Company beer & Mendocino County wines are available in the no-host Crabby Bar.

Cioppino Dinner
WHEN: Friday, January 24, 2014
SEATINGS: 4:30, 6:00 & 8:00 p.m.
VENUE: Historic Pentecost Hall ~ 822 Stewart Street, Fort Bragg
TICKETS: $35/adult; $15/kids 12-6; Under 6 - free

Thousands of succulent crab cakes and wines from America's greenest wine region are the focus of this one of a kind winning combination. Sample hand-crafted crab cakes prepared by Mendocino chefs while sipping Mendocino wines. Participants vie for the Professional Judges' Awards bestowed by a prestigious panel of media headed by Jimmy Im from acclaimed Conde Nast Traveler & Freda Moon from the New York Times. Vote your favorite for the coveted Peoples' Choice Awards and see how you match up.

Crab Cake Cook-Off & Wine Tasting Competition
WHEN: Saturday, January 25, 2014
TIME: Noon - 3:00 p.m.
VENUE: In the Big White Tent
at the Corner of Main & Spruce Streets, Fort Bragg
TICKETS: $85/adult - General Admission
$125/adult Circle of Claws Reserved Seating

For more information about the Mendocino County’s 10-day Crab, Wine & Beer Festival visit Visit Mendocino's website or by calling 1.866.466.3636. For more information on the Mendocino Clinic's 15th Annual Crab & Wine Days Cioppino Feed and Crab Cake Cook-off and Wine Competition, visit Mendocino Coast Clinics website events page.

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Beverly Hills, CA: Winter Solstice Vampire Wine Tasting for MYTH Masque

Certainly you don't want to miss opportunity for Californians and California visitors to welcome Winter with Vampiric style.

On the evening of December 21, 2013 The Winter Solstice Vampire Wine Tasting is being held at the Vampire Lounge and Tasting Room in Beverly Hills. Held in the legendary Fang Club, known as the Vampyre Elisium of the original purveyors of Decadence, this event is being held in collaboration with MYTH Masque's own Chambre du Vampire. Guests are invited to an elegant wine tasting experience at the Vampire Lounge, which is rumored to be owned by a circle of vampires, with this cool seductive tasting room is the first of its kind.

Guests will enjoy limitless pours from an extensive wine menu, tantalizing food pairings, music, and lush vampiric ambiance. Upscale white, red or black attire encouraged! Two tasting tiers, with two very limited seating options now available for booking.

Roam with the rogues of the night, sipping the blood of juicy grapes, and dancing with abandon. What vampire would ever decline a night of such tasty bites?

For more information visit the Chambre du Vampire website or the Facebook event.

Tasting Vampire Lounge and Tasting Room
9865 S. Santa Monica Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90212


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Temecula, CA: Bel Vino Winery and Event Venue

Atop the highest hill in Temecula Valley sits Bel Vino Winery, and newly opened event space, the Bel Vino House. Formerly Stuart Cellars, new owners Mike and Debbie Janko, completely renovated this gorgeous 3,000 square foot house on the hill into a full service wedding and event venue available for complete or partial rental.

At their grand opening special event, Mike told the crowd, "The view from this house is so beautiful, I wanted to live here myself." Putting their own comfort aside, they instead built an elegant homestead open to the public and available for brides and guests to enjoy year round.

The house can be rented in it's entirety for parties, corporate events, and weddings, and comes complete with a full kitchen, bridal suite, groom's room, bedrooms, bathrooms, wet bar, and an amazing living area. Two patio areas stand adjacent to the home, and the ceremony lawn and reception gardens are also within steps of the establishment.

Immaculately decorated with elegance and refinement, every square inch feels like a high-class estate. The house is available to rent fully or in sections as well.

There are several locations surrounding the property where wedding ceremonies can take place, each with a breathtaking view. Their ceremony lawn (as seen above) overlooking the back vineyards is not actually a living lawn, but rather composed of vibrant faux grass so as to keep the brides dress bright white, prevent muddy disasters, and ensure no guest sinks her heels into a soggy situation.

The reception can be set on one of the three lush lawns or indoors in the barrel room of the winery. One garden setting includes a permanent stage structure and overhead lighting for your musical entertainment. No matter your decision, each provides a simply gorgeous backdrop for photo ops and ever so memorable events.

Their facility has the capacity to accommodate up to 250 seated guests and parking enough for 150 automobiles. The barrel room provides a more intimate environment and can seat 80 guests with enough room for dancing too.

Their house wine, still under the Stuart Cellars label, is some of the award winning "Best in California," according to Mike Janko. From house to cellar, Bel Vino is the perfect venue to host any special event with a guaranteed dazzling outcome.


Bel Vino
33515 Rancho California Road
Temecula, CA 92591

(951) 676-6414
Website: Bel Vino Winery
Look book: Bel Vino House


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Santa Rosa, CA: Dining, Bicycling, Wine Tasting, and More

Located just 55 miles north of San Francisco is a vibrant city overflowing with the best that California has to offer - winetasting, farm-fresh dining, beautiful countryside to bicycle or drive through, family-friendly attractions and a range of places to stay for a week or a weekend.

A winetasting destination

The largest city in Sonoma County, Santa Rosa lies in the heart of Northern California Wine Country. With its abundance of wineries and unparalleled natural beauty, it's easy to understand why Sonoma County is one of the premier winetasting destinations in the world.

Tasting opportunities within the city of Santa Rosa include a new urban winery village called Vintners' Square that is home to several small boutique, but full-production wineries with tasting rooms: D'Argenzio Winery, Sheldon Wines, and Krutz Family Cellars. Also within the city proper is Paradise Ridge Winery.

Santa Rosa is a great place from which to explore any of nearly 200 wineries within Sonoma County. Visitors can begin their wine tasting journey by stopping at the California Welcome Center to pick up free tasting coupons and maps to member wineries.

Among the wineries within a short drive are: Benziger Family Winery, Chateau St. Jean Winery, Korbel Champagne Cellars, Kunde Estate Winery & Vineyards, Matanzas Creek Winery, and many others.

A haven for foodies

Santa Rosa didn't earn Sperling's "best place to live if you're a foodie" designation by accident. Delicious and inspired, Wine Country cuisine is one of Santa Rosa's biggest attractions. Local and regional chefs present the flavors of Sonoma County in eating establishments ranging from very casual taquerias to Michelin-rated restaurants.

Diners will find an amazing variety of cuisines from quaint bistros to traditional steakhouses in this foodie-friendly town. American, California cuisine, Italian, French, Indian, Mexican, Thai, comfort-food diners, hamburger joints and coffee houses are all represented.

Guy Fieri, Santa Rosa's own celebrity chef, restaurateur, and Food Network star, chose to live and open restaurants in Santa Rosa because of the vitality of the culinary community here.

Among the more well-known and beloved eating establishments in Santa Rosa are: John Ash & Co., La Gare, Equus Restaurant, Willi's Wine Bar, Ca'Bianca and many others providing an enjoyable dining experience for every taste and budget.

Arts, culture and entertainment venues

The Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, located just north of town, hosts world-class performances in music, dance, theater, and comedy, drawing entertainers that have included Tony Bennett and Willie Nelson. The renowned Santa Rosa Symphony, which has gained a national reputation for the quality and creativity of its productions, also performs frequently at the Wells Fargo Center.

Smaller venues and companies, such as the Sixth Street Playhouse, Summer Repertory Theater (SRT) at Santa Rosa Junior College, and the Imaginists Theatre Collective, stage a wide range of high-quality theatrical productions at various times of the year.

SOFA (South A Street Arts District), near downtown Santa Rosa, contains approximately six galleries and hosts a number of art exhibitions and activities during the year, including the SOFA Art Walk, Small Works, Matsuri (Japanese Arts Festival), Vine Art, and Winterblast.

Fun for families

Santa Rosa offers plenty of family-friendly adventures, from hiking and biking in local parks to ice skating at the Redwood Empire Ice Arena.

Santa Rosa boasts 57 parks within its city limits, including Annadel State Park, Spring Lake Regional Park, Howarth Memorial Park/Lake Ralphine and Hood Mountain Regional Park.

Another outdoor adventure popular among families is Safari West, just outside Santa Rosa, which provides jeep tours of a 400-acre area with more than 400 exotic mammals and birds. In addition, Santa Rosa is mere minutes away from some of nature’s greatest wonders, including the Pacific Coast, the Russian River and the redwoods.

Santa Rosa is a burgeoning area for agri-tourism sites, where families can get up-close experiences with farm and ranch-related operations from beekeeping to berry picking.

Museums, including the Charles M. Schulz Museum, Sonoma County Museum, Pacific Coast Air Museum, and Luther Burbank Home & Gardens provide educational opportunities for young visitors. For budding astronomers, there are public shows at the Santa Rosa Junior College planetarium.

A mecca for bicyclists

Sonoma County's spectacular scenery, gentle rolling hills and mild climate make it a great place for a cycling adventure - and an ideal training venue for some of the best-known bicycle racers in the world, including Levi Leipheimer, who calls Santa Rosa home.

In May 2012, Santa Rosa is slated to be the start location for the seventh edition of the Amgen Tour of California, an annual 750-mile professional cycling stage race on the UCI America Tour and USA Cycling Professional Tour.

Recreational bicyclists also flock to Santa Rosa, as evidenced by how quickly an event founded by Leipheimer in 2009 called the King Ridge GranFondo, has grown. In 2010, more than 7,500 riders took part, including movie and television star Patrick Dempsey.

A number of companies provide bike tours through the Wine Country, including Getaway Adventures/Wine Country Bike Tours. Many add to the experience by including wine tasting and gourmet picnic lunches.

Places to stay 

Lodgings in Santa Rosa include a wide range of experiences, from full-service accommodations with spa amenities to family-oriented, budget-minded comfort stays.

Visitors will find a variety of nationally known hotel brands, such as Courtyard by Marriott Santa Rosa, Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel and Spa, and Hilton Sonoma Wine Country Hotel, as well as long-time local favorites such as Fountaingrove Inn Hotel and Conference Center, and Flamingo Conference Resort and Spa.

Hotel La Rose, a landmark for over 100 years, has old-world charm and downtown convenience. Also available are B&Bs, such as the Melitta Station Inn.

Travelers planning a longer stay in Sonoma County can take advantage of Santa Rosa's two Extended Stay America hotels, vacation rental homes, or camping facilities throughout the region, from the coast to Spring Lake Park.

For more information...

Contact Santa Rosa Convention Center and Visitors Bureau at (800) 404-7673 or (707) 577-8674 or visit http://www.visitsantarosa.com. For hotel accommodations, visit http://www.goelevationtravel.com.

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Madera, CA: Meet the Winemaker Weekend

The Madera Wine Trail is gearing up for their next weekend event on May 12 and 13, and it’s just in time for Mother’s Day.

Located in Madera County, CA, at the base of the Sierra Nevadas, the Madera Wine Trail is home to a dozen wineries, and is accepted as one of the oldest grape growing regions in America.

The annual Meet the Winemaker Weekend is a popular annual event along the trail as wine-lovers can not only sample their favorite wines or find a new favorite, but also talk with those responsible for making that wine.

“One of the great benefits of the Madera Wine Trail is that the small nature of the wineries is guests can enjoy the wine in a more intimate setting and hear from the winemakers themselves about the processes, and the passion, that went in to a particular wine. It helps them develop a much deeper appreciation of the wine they are sampling,” said Jarrod Lyman with the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau.

In the late 1800’s, settlers came to Madera bringing their old world winemaking expertise from such countries as Italy, Armenia, France and others. Before the turn of the century, Madera County was host to two wineries that shipped wines bearing the Madera label to many parts of the world. Madera County has long been known for producing world-renown dessert wines and ports. It's microclimate is bounded and cooled by the San Joaquin River on the southwest and the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the east. Warm summer temperatures and varied soil types in Madera County provide a foundation for the full development of the grapes. Recognizing these distinctive characteristics, Madera was designated an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1985.

Guests visiting the Madera Wine Trail can enjoy the benefits of the region’s rich history, knowledgeable hosts and tasting rooms that are still small enough that you can visit with the winemakers themselves. Along the Madera Wine Trail, visitors can experience old world techniques and state-of-the-art technology in the same day. Madera County winemakers celebrate each other’s unique wine and winery styles and so can you!

Click map to enlarge

The timing of the Meet the Winemaker Weekend makes it a perfect gift for mothers who enjoy wine. Many of the wineries also bring in chefs showcasing local cuisine as well as local artists and musicians to add a festive atmosphere to the weekend.

Tickets cost $25 and include a commemorative Madera Wine Trail Glass and tastings at all the participating wineries along the trail. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.MaderaWineTrail.com.

For more information, contact...

Madera Vintners Association
P.O. Box 697
Madera, CA 93639
[email protected]
http://www.maderawinetrail.com/
Tel: 800.613.0709

For local accommodations and reservations, contact...

Elevation Travel
(877) 294-3918
[email protected]

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30th Annual Paso Robles Wine Festival Embraces Historical Roots, May 18 - 20, 2012

The Paso Robles Wine Festival celebrates its 30th Anniversary, May 18 - 20, 2012, embracing historical roots.

Wine enthusiasts are invited to experience how personality and rich history are reflected in every wine created both in the Downtown Park and throughout Paso Robles Wine Country. Tickets for this marquee wine event of California’s Central Coast are now on sale at www.pasowine.com.

Wine Festival offers enthusiasts a bevy of exciting events throughout the weekend: Friday RESERVE Tasting (3:30 - 6 p.m.), Saturday Winemaker Seminar (11 a.m. - 12 p.m.) and the pinnacle of the weekend, the Saturday Grand Tasting (12 - 4 p.m.). In addition to these exciting Downtown events, more than 150 area wineries celebrate individual activities throughout the weekend.

“In celebration of Wine Festival’s 30th anniversary, we are thrilled to offer the Locals Only Pass for just $30,” said Jennifer Porter, executive director of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. “This pass is our way of thanking locals for their 30 years of dedication and giving them another opportunity to demonstrate their pride as a resident of Paso Robles Wine Country.”

The 30th Annual Paso Robles Wine Festival kicks off with the Friday RESERVE tasting from 3:30 - 6 p.m. in the Downtown City Park. Wines in four categories will be featured - library, reserve, futures and refreshing power white/Rosé samples - complemented by culinary bites prepared by local chefs. RESERVE will again feature the popular Futures Auction which allows guests to bid on their favorite case of unreleased wine. Funds raised through the Futures Auction will benefit San Luis Obispo County organizations providing healthcare, education and greater community services.

Paso Robles Wine Country comes together for the Saturday Grand Tasting with a new time, from 12 - 4 p.m. More than 70 wineries will showcase the depth and breadth of wines found throughout the Paso Robles American Viticultural Area (AVA).

A variety of gourmet food trucks will feature everything from authentic Mexican cuisine, to local farm-to-table fare from throughout the central coast. Back by popular demand will be the Cheese, Bread & Water Stations as well as a collection of artisans showcasing their wares throughout the park.

The Winemaker Seminar takes place from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. and is now open to all ticketholders for a nominal price. This interactive seminar provides attendees unusual insights to the diversity of wines found in Paso Robles Wine Country.

The 30th Annual Wine Festival is designed for enthusiasts to get out into Wine Country and experience the many tasting room and wineries Paso has to offer. Throughout the weekend, more than 150 area wineries will host special activities including winemaker dinners, food pairings, cooking classes, and winery and vineyard tours. More than 50 Paso Robles wineries offer “FESTIVAL FAN” specials to ticketholders of the Wine Festival Grand Tasting.

Visit www.pasowine.com for details.

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Tickets -- All Wine Festival tasting tickets include unlimited tasting and a commemorative wine glass:

CAN HARDLY WAIT PASS: $10 discounts on RESERVE, PREMIUM and FESTIVAL ticket levels are available through March 31, 2012. Discount does not apply to LOCALS ONLY, DESIGNATED DRIVER/CHILD or SEMINAR tickets.

RESERVE: $125 - Friday RESERVE: 3:30 - 6 p.m.; Saturday Grand Tasting: 12 - 4 p.m. Advance purchase only.

PREMIUM: $75 - Saturday Grand Tasting: 12 - 4 p.m.

FESTIVAL: $55 - Saturday Grand Tasting: 1 - 4 p.m.

LOCALS ONLY: $30 - Saturday Grand Tasting: 1 - 4 p.m. - Available to San Luis Obispo County residents, advance purchase only, deadline April 30, 2012.

SEMINAR: $10 - RESERVE ticketholders; $20 - PREMIUM and FESTIVAL ticketholders: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Limited seats.

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