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The Rivers and Redwoods region of Sonoma Country is home to places like Cazadero, Duncan Mills, Guerneville, Monte Rio and Rio Nido. It’s also a haven for people attracted to outdoor adventures. It’s a terrific place to camp, hike, canoe and kayak. The region is also known for hosting great musical events. There are any number of welcoming places to stay like the Fern Grove Cottages and the Applewood Inn in Guerneville or the Inn at Duncan Mills in Duncans Mills. And, in Cazadero, you can stay in a bakery. But not just any bakery. Raymond’s Bakery, famous for its scones, breads and foccacia, now has two guest cottages. Imagine being surrounded by Redwoods and the aroma of baking bread.

Every square inch of Sonoma Country is rich in local tradition, can boast of a colorful history and promise you a terrific time when you visit. For instance, Cloverdale where the vineyards meet the redwoods. Premium wineries abound in the area.

The 70 acre Russian River Park and Lake Sonoma are nearby. And it is chockful of history. Come January, thousands will descend on Cloverdale for their annual “Old Time Fiddle Festival.” This year it’s the weekend of January 26th and 27th.

When you’re headed that way, stop in Geyersville to visit Francis Ford Coppoloa’s Rosso and Bianco winery where you can enjoy an authentic Italian pizza with a gorgeous view. Further south, another wine treat is Mazzocco Vineyards located in the hills between Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys.

Last year, the biggest crowd of the week-long Amgen Tour of California was in the city of Santa Rosa. It’s really no surprise when you consider that Sonoma Country is a cyclist’s dream. The good news for race fans is the Amgen Tour is returning.

This year many of the world’s best cyclists will tackle 650 miles of California roads from San Francisco to Long Beach. On Monday, February 19th the first stage departs Sausalito. Eventually they will roll through Bodega Bay, climb from the bay on Colman Valley Road, descend into Occidental and finish in Santa Rosa. You’re going to want to be there. In future postcards we’ll tip you off to places to stay and dine.

The central portion of the Valleys and Vineyards region of Sonoma Country covers a lot of ground. It’s home to Asti, Cloverdale, Cotati, Fulton, Geyserville, Penngrove, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa and Windsor. What make it so appealing is every town has its own personality, fascinating history and each boasts enough nearby hotels, inns, wineries, restaurants and shops to keep you delightfully busy. Over the next few weeks we’ll take a closer look at each community and talk about some of the specific attractions like Railroad Square in Santa Rosa, the historic downtown of Petaluma and a kids favorite, the Charles M. Schulz Museum.

What a week we have to look forward to. I should add that this is a great time to visit Sonoma Country with the vineyards wearing their fall colors. People are busy putting the final touches on a number of planned events and celebrations, many of which are Sonoma Country traditions. I’ll mention as many as I can over the next few days.

For instance, A Christmas Carol at the Rep in Sebastopol opens November 24th and runs through December 23rd. Songs, dances and surprises are all part of their inventive version of the Dicken’s Christmas classic. With plenty of charming places to stay and dine in the Sebastopol area, you can plan a festive post- Thanksgiving Day getaway.