Park 121

What part of the Napa and Sonoma valleys is closest to the Bay Area and Sacramento? The answer: Carneros, a wine-growing region and AVA (American Viticultural Area) that spans parts of Sonoma and Napa counties and backs up to San Pablo Bay. The marine influence makes Carneros (which means “sheep” in Spanish) a bit cooler than regions up-valley, with a microclimate ideal for cultivation of grapes used in sparkling wine production. Dog-friendly tasting rooms abound, and while we haven’t visited them all, we have some favorites. more »

Anyone who loves gardens will be hearing a lot very soon about Sunset magazine making Cornerstone Sonoma, a garden and retail complex on Highway 121 near the junction with Highway 116, the site of its new demonstration gardens and outdoor test kitchen. The magazine in 2009 named the existing gardens, which feature 20-plus walk-through installations updated by visiting landscape artists, one of the Top 10 gardens in the West. The New York Times has also praised the inspirational plantings visited by more than 100,000 people each year.

But DogTrekkers don’t have to wait for Sunset to enjoy the gardens or the complex of shops surrounding them. more »