Description

Sonoma County’s fog-cooled Russian River Valley is prime territory for chardonnay and pinot noir grapes—and for California’s moisture-loving coast redwoods, the tallest trees in the world. By far the best place in wine country to soak up the natural beauty of the trees (the Japanese call this shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing) is this 800-acre preserve near Guerneville. An easy 2-mile loop on the Pioneer Nature, Discovery, and Armstrong Nature trails ambles through the forest’s heart, revealing such marvels as the reserve’s oldest specimen, the 1400-year-old Colonel Armstrong Tree, named for the 19th-century lumberman who opted not to chop all these redwoods down. Before, after, or during your hike, don’t miss the chance to carbo-load on Oprah’s favorite biscuits or the curried-chicken-on-brioche Colonel Armstrong sandwich you got at Big Bottom Market in Guerneville.

More details @ parks.ca.gov