When my parents went on their 25th anniversary vacation to Napa Valley, I didn’t hear the end of it for weeks. Every night at dinner, they repeated the same stories over and over again as if perhaps I hadn’t heard properly the night before. I’m not even legal to drink yet and I feel like I know more about wine than most 30-year-olds.
But as I’m flipping through DK Travel’s newest travel guide, I finally understand why I had been subjected to so many endless accounts of the “JUST gorgeous” vineyards and “a-DOR-able” B&Bs. The California Wine Country Top 10 guide not only shows off Northern California’s characteristic rolling green hills and charming wineries with stunning photos, but it provides all the information my parents could’ve told me, minus the superfluous anecdotes.
It starts off with wine country’s can’t-miss attractions, but doesn’t end there. The following chapters provide location-specific information as well as a comprehensive guide to restaurants, museums, excursions, historic sites, spas, festivals, and even grape varieties. The “Streetsmart” section gives tourists all the practical information they never knew they needed before they make their journey. DK includes planning advice, transportation tips, things to avoid, personal safety and health resources, and a list of the best accommodations wine country has to offer.
One of my favorite things about DK’s Top 10 guides, however, is how personalized they are. For example, if you consider yourself a luxury traveler, it has a separate section for boutique hotels, historic hotels, B&Bs, resort hotels, and spa hotels. If you’re on the opposite end of the spectrum, there’s a full list of campsites and ranches you can check out even before you hit the road. You’ll find advice for traveling with children and a calendar of community events for any time of year.
Planning trips can be difficult, perhaps even more so due to the wealth of information available online and in bookstores. But the next time you’re in the mood for some West coast laidback living and absolutely fantastic wine, the only thing you’ll need to bring is one of DK’s Top 10 California Wine Country guides.