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TripOut Gay Travel:
Sonoma

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Gay Friendly Rating: Gay Friendly Rating Very welcoming; this place is gay-tastic!
A wine lover's paradise and a woodsy gay enclave? Yep, the Russian River and Sonoma make for a perfect weekend getaway.

Sonoma Fast Facts:

  • Gayborhood The majority of gay visitors to Sonoma are likely to head for the Russian River Valley.
  • The height of Sonoma's tourist season is during the summer and fall, so if you want to avoid the crowds yet still enjoy the amazing weather of that time of year, try visiting during the week to avoid the day trippers from San Francisco. If you're not afraid of a little bit of rain, try visiting during the winter, when wineries are emptier and it'll be easier to get reservations at the best restaurants.
  • Since Sonoma is just an hour or two north on the 101 from to San Francisco, many a queer traveler is likely to want to take a day trip. Be forewarned, though: It may be nearby, but after a day of wine tasting you probably won't want to drive back. For best results, plan to stay overnight and don't overdo the drinking if you have to drive. If you must drive, consider actually "tasting" the wine and spitting it out afterward. There are plenty of buckets for just that purpose, and you'll get to feel like an expert, too.
  • Twice a year (usually in May and September), thousands of lesbians converge on Guerneville for the semi-annual Russian River Women's Weekend. There's still the infamous wet T-shirt contest, but now there are also finance seminars and writing workshops. To maximize your weekend, stay at one of the host resorts-preferably poolside-and bring a gaggle of friends with you. (http://www.russianriverwomensweekend.org/)
  • Lazy Bear Weekend is a tradition that involves pool parties, bonfires, dances, and a lot of beefy, burly men. This year it's July 29 - August 3 (http://www.castrobear.com/LazyBearWeekend).
  • Sonoma County is home to hundreds of farms, many of which practice organic and low-impact farming methods. Sample the locally grown produce by visiting some of the 120 small farms that are open to the public, or the numerous farmers' markets-especially during harvest season in the fall. Farm Trails is a great guide. (http://www.farmtrails.org)
  • Check out the handy, homegrown sites Gaywinecountry.com and Gaysonoma.com.

Sonoma: Beauty in the Raw

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Thirty miles north of San Francisco, just past the rolling Marin headlands, lies the agricultural and viticultural wonderland of Sonoma County—a landscape of meandering rivers, peaceful valleys lined with row upon row of pinot noir and chardonnay... Read More Sonoma: Beauty in the Raw

Sonoma Top 5

Don't leave town before checking out...
TripOut Top Five
  1. Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve
  2. Roshambo Winery
  3. Rainbow Cattle Company
  4. Applewood Inn
  5. Sea Ranch

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