SANTA ROSA, Calif. (September 29, 2016) – While shoulder-season travelers are likely familiar with

the many harvest-related events happening in and around Sonoma County, the county’s happening hub of

Santa Rosa offers other unexpected delights. Beloved by outdoor-enthusiasts, there are a host of fall races,

all featuring some of California’s most scenic backdrops. For relaxation, visitors can unwind at local spas

with special seasonal packages and meditation retreats. Palates will be pleased by an eclectic array of food

and drink events, kicking off with the 42nd annual Sonoma County Harvest Fair this weekend.

Here’s a look at what’s coming up:

Break a Sweat

● Levi' s GranFondo - October 1 - A challenging and competitive mass start cycling event hosting

riders of all ability levels from around the world, since it began in 2009. Named for Levi

Leipheimer, Santa Rosa’s resident former professional cyclist, Levi’s GranFondo is heralded as

one of the best organized cycling events in the world. It benefits the King Ridge Foundation for

at-risk youth. 

● Dana Jones Sprint Triathlon - October 9 - This triathlon series was created to help bring the

sport of triathlon to Santa Rosa with short distance triathlons open to all levels of ability. This

event is non-competitive and time is not recorded, designed to be completed and enjoyed by

participants. The mini sprint is a 400-yard swim in a heated pool, a 9-mile bike ride and a

3.1-mile run. The race starts at Finley Aquatic Center and travels along the Santa Rosa Creek

Trail for the bike and run course.

● Cloverdale Vineyard Races - October 23 - Trails for the sixth annual Cloverdale Harvest

Vineyard Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 10K will take place entirely on groomed dirt roads in

vineyards around historic Asti Winery! These runs are provide runners with unparalleled views of

the scenic beauty of northern Sonoma County's wine country in fall.

● Healdsburg Wine Country Half Marathon - October 29 - This end of wine harvest and

Halloween themed race runs through the renowned Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys in late

October when the weather is ideal for running and the autumn-colored vineyards glow in the

warm sunshine. This visually stunning course starts at Virginia Dare Winery and finishes on the

expansive grounds of Trentadue Winery for the post-race Wine + Music Festival. A Hallowine

5K is also offered.

Relieve Some Tension

● What Truly Matters Spa Meditation Retreat at Osmosis Day Spa - October 19 - Karen

Halseth and Aimée Lyndon-Adams work with successful professionals who want to balance their

material success with emotional and spiritual well-being. The retreat day includes personalized

channeled guidance, a heart-centered grounding and centering meditation, an energetic clearing

and alignment, 75-minute Massage or Facial and an organic box lunch.

● Health Spa Montecito at the Flamingo Resort - Ongoing - The Body in Balance package

features a 50 minute Seasonal Scrub, 50 minute Wellness Massage and a 50 minute Eminence

Facial. The spa is open to the public. and includes daily access to the Montecito Heights Health

Club and Spa. This spa is an affiliate of Flamingo Resort Hotel and Conference Center.

Eat and Drink

● Sonoma County Harvest Fair - September 30-October 2 - The Harvest Fair marks it’s 42nd year

of showcasing Sonoma County’s grand harvest which continues to result in world-class wines,

award winning beer and a plethora of culinary wealth. Thirsty travelers from across the entire US

are beckoned to Santa Rosa each year to participate in a complete farm-to-table experience,

inspired by the region’s hard working farmers, ranchers, vintners and producers.

● Grown-Ups Happy Hour Science of Spirits - October 13 - Spirit Works Distillery partners up

with the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County to bring guests an educational happy hour and

tasty beverages made from the local spirits. 

● Winemaker dinner at Warm Puppy Cafe with Carol Shelton - October 14 - Chef Josef Keller

and Winemaker Carol Shelton from the Carol Shelton Winery will team up for a three-course

Winemaker Dinner inside the charming cafe at Snoopy’s Home Ice.

● Mario Batali at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts - October 27 - Copperfield’s Books

presents an evening with celebrity Chef Mario Batali, in celebration of his book, Big American

Cookbook: 250 Favorite Recipes from Across the USA. Ticket price includes a copy of the book.

● Wine and Food Affair - November 5-6 - Join Northern Sonoma County’s The Wine Road for

their annual weekend of wine and food pairing in the Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River

Valleys. All of the wineries participating will have a favorite winery recipe available online,

which they will prepare both days for guests to sample, along with the perfect wine.

● Halloween Zombie Brewery Tour - October 29 & 30 - Guests will enjoy a bus tour and tastings

at three top-rated craft breweries, all while dressed as zombies! On Tap Tours will also be

providing makeup, props and fake blood 30 min prior to the tour at the pick up location.

Food for Thought

● Peanuts and the Picture of Health at the Charles M. Schulz Museum - now - March 12, 2017 -

Featuring over 56 original comic strips and health-related artwork and products, the Charles M.

Schulz Museum’s latest exhibition focuses on Charles Schulz’s careful study of health issues

which inform many Peanuts plot lines. From physical fitness to mental well-being, Peanuts

highlighted a range of topics regarding personal health.

● Art Trails Open Studios - October 8-9, 15-16 - Presented by Sebastopol Center for the Arts,

enjoy the abundance of creative talent Sonoma County has to offer by visiting the professional

studios of the Art Trails artists. Along scenic corridors and country roads, visit the working

studios which will be open to the public for two weekends only; after the Open Studio weekends,

studios are open by appointment only. 

● Daktari Affair at Safari West - October 14 - From the soundstages of Hollywood to the hills of

Sonoma County, guests will learn the story of Safari West’s founder Peter Lang and enjoy

African-inspired small bites, select local wines, brews, and a cast of wild animal encounters

throughout the evening. The event is a vital fundraiser for the preservation-focused animal park.

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About Visit Santa Rosa

Located 55 miles north of San Francisco, Santa Rosa, California is the happening hub for all there is to

see, do, eat, drink, hike, bike and explore in Sonoma County. Santa Rosa is the biggest city in Sonoma

Wine Country, but the vibe is as welcoming as a small town. Central to Sonoma County’s 400+ wineries,

Santa Rosa is also just 30 minutes from the stunning coast and even closer to California’s majestic

redwood trees. Home to an impressive array of world-class restaurants and breweries, some of the best

bicycling routes in the U.S., the Charles M. Schulz Museum, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts – and so

much more – Santa Rosa has a little something for everyone.

Visit Santa Rosa is a partnership with the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, providing assistance to

visitors and groups seeking information about lodging, dining and entertainment opportunities in Santa

Rosa. It also operates an Official California Welcome Center and helps to bring major events to Santa

Rosa, such as the Amgen Tour of California. For more information, call (800) 404-7673 or (707)

577-8674 or visitsantarosa.com.