Overview of the Dry Creek Valley:

https://www.drycreekvalley.org/dry-creek-valley/

Directions from the South to the class (SF to Dry Creek Valley) https://www.google.com/maps/dir/San…999684!3e0

101 North to Preston Farms and Winery: From SF, take 101 northbound until you are just past Healdsburg, then take the Canyon Road exit. Turn left under the freeway and follow Canyon Rd until it dead-ends on Dry Creek Road. Make a right on Dry Creek Road, turn left on Yoakum Bridge, then a right on West Dry Creek Road. Follow the signs to Preston Farms and Winery to the right. Continue down the gravel road until it dead ends. This is where class will be held.

Directions from the North to the class (Ukiah to Dry Creek Valley) https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Uki…999684!3e0

Preston Farm and Winery has a working farm, and a lovely tasting room where you can sample their wine and purchase picnic items.

Nearby restaurants and grocery stores:

Geyserville (about 12 minutes from Preston Farm):

Diavola offers seasonal items, and some of the most authentic pizza a salumi outside of Italy. This is definitely a local (and host) favorite.This is one of those great places where you won't go wrong with any order. https://www.diavolapizzeria.com/

The Gun Club, which is an off-shoot of Diavola that offers after hours food and creative drinks. It's named after a shooting range that was located under the restaurant. Finding meals therewith an Asian flare is a fun surprise.This is the place to go for your after class discussions.https://www.geyservillegunclub.com

Cloverdale (about 17 minutes from Preston Farm):

Craving Asian food? Tian Yuen (http://tianyuen.squarespace.com/) and Thai Way 101 (https://101thaiway.co/) are the right places to get your fix.

Want locally made craft beer in a small town pub atmosphere? The Wolf House https://wolfhousebrewing.com/ will hit all the right notes.

Healdsburg (about 20 minutes from Preston Farm):

Are you a gourmand? If so, Healdsburg is the place to go where chef's excel at using locally grown, delicious meals.

Willi's seafood bar not only has fresh seafood, but also offers other small place options for the non-seafood lover (https://starkrestaurants.com/stark-restaurant/willis-seafood-raw-bar/)

Enjoy beautiful outdoor dining with foods grown at their local farm, Barndiva is a gem (https://www.barndiva.com/). Great for a special occasion and a beautiful, relaxed atmosphere. The back garden dining room is a real treat.

One of the newest Healdsburg offerings is The Matheson https://www.thematheson.com/

The Taste of Tea offers a wide variety of teas to sample, as well as a great Japanese menu to enjoy them with. Their bento boxes and fermented veggies are delicious https://thetasteoftea.com/

Just when you thought you'd had enough of farm to table dining, along comes Spoonbar https://spoonbar.com/

Agave - Love Mexican food? You'll enjoy this restaurant, which also offers an extensive tequila menu. http://www.agavehealdsburg.com/

For a super-duper splurge: https://www.singlethreadfarms.com/restaurant

Snacks and Groceries: Cloverdale - Dahlia and Sage organic grocery in Cloverdale, and Big John's market in Healdsburg

Morning items: Plank in Cloverdale and Healdsburg offers delicious teas, home roasted coffees, and a large variety of breakfast items, many of which are vegan.

Cousteaux's in Healdsburg is a French cafe that offers a large variety of dishes, including a delicious breakfast salad.

Activities:

Lake Sonoma - Just north of Preston Farm. World class swimming, hiking, mountain biking and trail running. Here's a map of the Rockpile hiking area: https://www.spn.usace.army.mil/Port…trails.pdf Ask your hosts for more details.

Rental bikes (Healdsburg)- https://www.winecountrybikes.com/bike-rentals/, and https://www.spokefolk.com/

Canoe rentals for a trip down the Russian River - russian river canoe rentals

Accomodations:

We listed some of the pricier places, but there are more affordable places to be found in Healdsburg, Geyserville and Cloverdale

Air BnB's - Try Cloverdale, Healdsburg or Geyserville.

Cloverdale -Check out this former hospital with multiple towers and original Victorian style - https://www.pinschowerinn.com

Healdsburg - Hotel Healdsburg https://hotelhealdsburg.com/ Hotel LeMars - https://www.hotellesmars.com/

Wine Tasting - A trip to Sonoma County's renowned wine country wouldn't be complete without checking out a few wineries. Think you're only a red wine drinker? Let us change your mind. You don't need to drink wine to enjoy the tasting room offerings of picnic snacks, locally made olive oil and a variety of gifts to remember your trip by. (Head's up, some wineries request reservations, and although they may charge for tastings, many credit that cost towards your purchase. Some wineries also offer lunch boxes for an extra cost. Double bonus, many wineries have destination chargers so you can charge your EV while enjoying your time learning more about what the winery/farm offers. Here are some of our favorites:

Preston Farm and Winery - This is home base, where the class and all the important things are happening. Enjoy their home baked bread and a variety of organic and biodynamic wines. Stroll the grounds and experience the gardens and happy cats and sheep. If you're lucky, you'll be able to run into the farmer/owners, Sue and Lou Preston- https://prestonfarmandwinery.com/

Trattore Farms - Beautiful views of the Dry Creek Valley. https://trattorefarms.com/

Cast - let the scenery and wines cast a spell on you. https://castwines.com/

Ferrari Carano. A mansion of a winery, more in the style of the Napa Valley. The grounds and sculptures are amazing, and the wine library is exquisite - https://www.ferrari-carano.com/

MacRostie Winery. OK, time to place a bet on the most beautiful views in Sonoma County. The wine and lunch box and friendly service make this a Sonoma County favorite. https://macrostiewinery.com/

IF YOU HAVE EXTRA TIME

The magical village of Mendocino is about 75 minutes northwest of Prestons.https://www.mendocino.com/

The City of 10,000 Buddhas Is about 40 minutes north of Prestons. How did the Buddhas get there? Ponder that while enjoying an incredible vegan meal and then touring the grounds. http://www.cttbusa.org