Travel Log: Sonoma

Known most simply as Wine Country, the Sonoma Valley was actually a country of its own for less than a month.

Americans living in the area revolted against Mexican authorities who governed the California province. On June 14, 1846, 35 men raised a flag displaying a bear and star with the words "California Republic" on it (similar to today's state flag). The California Republic declared its independence from Mexico, not knowing the United States had already declared war with Mexico a month earlier.

The California Republic, with Sonoma as its capital, lasted 25 days. On July 9, 1846, the revolutionaries abandoned their idea of a Republic and agreed to join the efforts in making California part of the United States.

MAP OF SONOMA, CALIF.
Click here for directions and aerial map.

DID YOU KNOW?
Chardonnay is America's most popular white wine and Sonoma County's leading variety with 16,000 acres of vineyards. Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards populate 12,000 acres, the most in Sonoma County for red wines.

WHAT THE AREA OFFERS
Visit a winery -- More than 250 wineries are located in Sonoma County. In addition to wine tasting at the various establishments, many of the locations offer tours that take visitors into the rich history and elegant timeline of producing a fine wine. Different wineries offer different tours, from participation in the actual process to horse-drawn carriage rides throughout the tour.
• For more information, click here
• For a printable winery map, click here

Ride a hot air balloon -- The scenery in Sonoma Valley and north of San Francisco can be breathtaking, especially from heights ranging from 500-1,500 feet in the gondola of a hot air balloon. Drift over the trees and take in the beautiful landscape over Northern California's Wine Country in a romantic or family setting.
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Safari West -- Take the wildest ride of the weekend by mingling with giraffe, gazelle, scimitar-horned oryx, ostrich and other African antelope at Safari West, an authentic adventure set in Sonoma. This wildlife park is designed to allow visitors and animals to interact and roam freely, one of the most unique experiences of a trip. Safari West offers three tours daily, and the price isn't cheap. But neither is the experience of being face-to-face with an 18-foot giraffe.
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MUST-VISIT RESTAURANT

The Girl & the Fig -- This eclectic restaurant claims to have country food with a French passion. But it's what others claim that gives it the sterling reputation. To back up critics' words, The Girl & the Fig has an outdoor patio that complements its antique bar. And oh yeah, it has good food to boot -- a seasonal menu that includes a variety of cheeses, sandwiches and full entrees.
• For more information, click here

WEATHER FORECAST
Clear and sunny skies all weekend with highs in the 80s. Complete forecast

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL
Let NASCAR.COM help book your last-minute travel.

Photos courtesy of winecountry.com.