Atop natural mineral springs and spanning more than 100 acres, Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort is just moments away from the beautiful and quaint Avila Beach and close to hundreds of vineyards and tasting rooms. This serene property offers traditional guest rooms, spa suites, and a grand guesthouse – all featuring private balcony hot tubs. The Gardens Restaurant is known for spontaneous farm-to-table cuisine, distinguished local wines, and its large, sustainable garden. Sycamore also features the largest spa on the Central Coast, private hillside hot tubs, daily yoga, Pilates, and wellness classes in the Yoga Dome, and on-site hiking and biking trails. Sycamore’s natural historic settings make it ideal for garden gazebo weddings, retreats, and workshops.

www.sycamoresprings.com

In the eastern foothills of Lake County, Cache Creek Vineyards & Winery sits in a serene 500-acre natural sanctuary. The vineyard was founded in 1997 by Bill “Poppo” Van Pelt, who was greeted by a majestic herd of tule elk when he first set foot on the land. Poppo was enchanted. He visited the elk nearly every day and, as he cultivated the land and planted his vineyards, he made it his mission to maintain a flourishing environment for the elk and other wildlife. Poppo passed away in 2004, and today his youngest son Don is the guardian of the elk and the vineyard. Currently, Cache Creek Vineyards produces five varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.

www.cachecreekvineyards.com

Standing on the cliffs above pristine Shell Beach, this luxurious full-service oceanfront hotel offers 160 newly renovated guest rooms including 24 oceanfront suites. All rooms feature Italian marble bathrooms, spacious work stations, complimentary Wi-Fi, and pillow-top beds. Many also include fireplaces, balconies or patios, and spectacular ocean views. Nearly everything overlooks the ocean, including the heated outdoor pool and Jacuzzi, the 24-hour fitness center, and the resort’s Marisol Restaurant & Lounge, with indoor and outdoor seating and an award-winning Champagne Sunday Brunch featuring more than 100 delicacies. Spa services are available too.

www.cliffsresort.com

A delightful blend of old town charm and chic vitality, St. Helena in California is nestled in the heart of the Napa Valley, about 90 minutes northeast of San Francisco. The first thing to know about St. Helena (Heh-LEE-nah) is: it’s a real, genuine town with a rich and interesting modern day history that dates back to the early 1840s. The town was incorporated in 1886, a full 25 years after Charles Krug founded the valley’s first commercial winery here. It was home to many Napa Valley pioneers, including Jacob and Frederick Beringer, and is considered to be the birthplace of the valley’s wine industry. Today, St. Helena is a cozy, yet vibrant and upbeat community dedicated to wine country hospitality; in fact, it is often referred to as the Napa Valley’s Main Street.

www.sthelena.com

Casually elegant and situated in the center of a 23-mile stretch of warm California beach, SeaVenture Beach Hotel & Restaurant provides guests with a quiet, intimate beachfront retreat—at the southernmost point of Pismo Beach and only three blocks from downtown. The rooms include featherbeds, fireplaces, and most have a private balcony hot tub. Guests can opt to have a breakfast basket delivered to their door. SeaVenture also has a separate two-bedroom Beach House, with a full kitchen, living and dining rooms, hot tub, and deck. Hotel guests dine in the third-floor restaurant while sipping on local wine and taking in stunning 180-degree ocean views.

www.seaventure.com

A winding uphill drive on a stunning mountain road brings wine tourists to the 180-acre Keenan Winery. The dramatic greens and dusty browns of the Mayacamas Mountain Range color the scenic backdrop, while wisps of fog create the perfect microclimate for growing the distinctive, flavorful grapes. It’s easy to see how this mountainous region lured a late 19th century vintner and how again—80 years later—it enticed yet another enterprising winemaker by the name of Robert Keenan. Keenan subscribes to sustainable farming techniques and has substantially reduced pesticide use. In 2007, a 41-kilowatt solar power system was installed to offset the Keena winery and vineyard’s electrical usage. Keenan’s wine labels now read "Solar Powered and Sustainably Farmed."

www.keenanwinery.com

The delightfully cozy Apple Farm Inn offers 104 welcoming guest rooms, each with its own fireplace. The Apple Farm’s guest rooms are located in two separate buildings. One is a classic-style inn and the other is motel style, offering easy room access. All rooms are uniquely decorated with appealing touches. Beyond well-appointed accommodations, Apple Farm Inn provides three acres of landscaped grounds including an old mill with a working grist mill, a two-story gift shop, and a legendary restaurant and bakery open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The homey ambience of Apple Farm Inn makes it an ideal spot for reunions, conferences, weddings, and simply letting a couple of days slip by.

www.applefarm.com

When Tony and Herta (H.B.) purchased their 30-acre Rutherford property in 1982, the vineyard grounds were wild and overgrown. Through passion and hard work, the Peju family has transformed their Rutherford Estate into Peju—a wine, architecture, and art lover’s paradise. Today, 30 years later, Peju remains a family-owned and family-run estate winery with the next generation of the family, daughters Lisa and Ariana, taking over the day-to-day operations and leading the winery into the future. Situated in the famed Rutherford appellation, known for its legendary Cabernet Sauvignon, Peju produces stellar varieties, including its flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and the proprietary red and white Cuvée, Provence.

www.peju.com

From its very first harvest in 1974, Raymond Vineyards has upheld an enduring reputation as one of the Napa Valley’s iconic, pioneering wineries. The winery was founded by Roy Raymond and his two sons, Roy Jr. and Walter, and quickly became known for its elegant wines with a beautiful balance of finesse, power, and complexity. Today, Raymond Vineyards has more than 300 acres of Napa Valley vineyards, including two estate vineyard sites in the prestigious Rutherford and St. Helena appellations. Tasting room guests are encouraged to take part in one of many unique experiences located in a variety of settings like the Red Room Private Lounge, the Crystal Cellar, the Barrel Cellar, and the Library Room. Each setting offers a unique experience to broaden one’s knowledge and appreciation of wine.

www.raymondvineyards.com

Opened in 1857, such legendary guests as Mark Twain, Buffalo Bill, and Elvis Presley have stayed in this charming hotel in the heart of downtown Placerville. The hotel offers 38 uniquely designed rooms and suites, each with all the modern conveniences to make its guests’ stay enjoyable. Meeting rooms and courtyard make it perfect for business retreats, receptions, and celebrations.

www.caryhouse.com

Relying on their Spanish roots and more than 100 years of winemaking experience, the Ferrers planted three-quarters of the Carneros estate exclusively to Pinot Noir. Now more than 25 years later, Gloria Ferrer sparkling wine is defined by this commitment to Pinot Noir. The Gloria Ferrer portfolio includes nine sparkling wines, four Pinot Noirs, Chardonnay, a new Pinot Blanc, and other vineyard-designate estate wines exclusive to club members. Tours that explain how sparkling wine is made with a visit to the méthode champenoise production facility and famous cave overlooks are offered three times each day.

www.gloriaferrer.com