Northern California Coast

The Northern California Coast Region offers spectacular views along rugged shoreline and pounding surf, and through ancient redwood forests and native oak groves.  The great Russian River flashes down through the coastal mountains of Mendocino into northern Sonoma County, makes a turn west near the town of Healdsburg and heads for the Pacific Ocean.  As if these natural wonders weren’t enough, the rolling hills, terraced mountainsides and straw-colored valleys carpeted with verdant grapevines entice the visitor at every turn.

While the vineyards and wines of the North Coast are recognized worldwide for their quality and diversity, the region is also renowned for the rich bounty produced by local farms and ranches, as well as the natural gifts of the ocean.  Within each of the individual districts in this fertile region visitors may sample abundant local produce, hand-made cheeses, olive oils, meats and fresh fish.

This majestic region is home to the North Coast American Viticultural Area (AVA), approximately 100 miles long and 50 miles wide, comprising Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties, and portions of Marin and Solano counties.  Just a leisurely and scenic day’s drive from San Francisco, this winemaking mecca since the mid-19th century is home to about 800 wineries, roughly one-third of the total wineries in the state.