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Romp through the Redwoods tour start date:
September 26, 2009 tour end date: September 26, 2009
tour registration closes:
September 03, 2009 wine region: Central Coast length of stay:
Single-Day Tour hiking level: Easy total group size: 11 price per person: $115.00 tour deposit: $115.00
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One-Day Hike & Wine-Tasting Tour: 4.8 easy miles, 300’ elevation gain Hiking in this mystical Santa Cruz Mountain watershed differs from other, more modern San Francisco Bay Area hiking locales. It’s easy to see why the unmaintained character of this place, with its many downed trees and ungraded slopes, can make this easy out-n’-back hike one of the most enchanting hikes in the area. Which, for many who have come to know me, is precisely why it’s one of my favorite places to take my winehiking guests.
Despite its lovely forests of redwoods, tanoak and big-leaf maples, and ferns, sorrel and colt’s-foot, you’ll find a full-flowing, fast-running stream even in the driest months of Summer and Fall. You’ll also find remnants of Santa Cruz County’s history here.
Drawn to large deposits of limestone and forests of redwoods, early mining companies produced lime in these canyons from the 1870s until 1919. Redwoods were logged and made into barrels, while other redwood harvests fueled the kilns in which limestone was fired, releasing carbon dioxide and creating lime. The popular high-grade lime was used for mortar throughout California, especially when rebuilding San Francisco after the Great Quake of 1906.
When oil-burning kilns replaced wood-fired ones around 1920, the quarry was shut down. 2,335 acres in this area were gifted to the state of California in 1972, and additional deeds from other landowners brought the area to its current 2,390 acres.
The best part of this hike is in the latter half, as we descend gently down a sylvan, creek-lined wonderland lush with greenery and the siren voices of the creek itself. You’ll be tempted to shuck your boots and dip your toes in!
The wine tasting After the hike, we’ll adjourn to a nearby winery for a picnic and a tasting of their largely unheralded Santa Cruz Mountain-appellation sauvignon blancs, pinot noirs and cabernets, many of which are made organically and in small lots.
The fun The small size of your group will lend itself well to a well-rounded, quality experience perfect for learning, having fun, and making new friends. You can even learn about the wildlife and flora that you see on the trail, or broaden your wine knowledge. Take advantage of your guide’s many years of wine and trail experience! All you need is a desire to know more. And to have fun!
The details This single-day tour includes transportation, trail snacks, bottled water, a gourmet picnic lunch, wine tasting (including tasting fees), and the services of a California Wine Hikes tour guide. A full itinerary will be provided to all guests who book this tour.
Your experience with California Wine Hikes will leave you with sensory satisfaction, rekindled vigor, and indelible memories.
“Hi Russ, thanks again for organizing a great hike/wine tasting last Saturday. I have not yet dipped into my Gary Farrell wines...yet...but the weekend awaits! Looking forward to more hikes and winetasting.”
— Joanne L., Palo Alto, California
