The state of California produces almost 90% of American wine but when people think of Californian wineries, Napa is the first that comes to mind. However, truth is, the entire state is filled with excellent wineries all around. The warm days and cols nights due to coastal fog together with the soil in California come together to create a perfect climate for grapes to be grown. These grapes are turned into delicious wines. With all these wineries in California, take a read as we explore all the wineries in California other than the usual Northern Californian wineries that people visit. – RV Winery
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RVing in California For A Winery Vacation
California is the best state for road trips. The many attractions, wineries, and RV rentals in california make it perfect for road tripping — you can admire the scenic view of mountains and take your time exploring the areas you want to while sampling the unique wines of the state. You can take your time exploring the areas you want to while sampling the unique wines of the state.
With an RV, you’ll be able to make stops all over California to experience what the different regions have to offer. You can spend a day at the beach, visit state and national parks in the area, or visit cultural and natural attractions that are unique to the state of California. With more than 4,000 wineries in California, you would be spoilt for choice.
Wineries in California
To break down the wineries in California, we will start by splitting them up according to the 6 main winery regions. There is the North Coast, the Central Coast, the Sierra Foothills, the Inland Valleys, Southern California, and Far North California. If you are really interested in having a comprehensive tour of all the regions, we recommend starting at the Far North region and head to Southern California from there or vice versa. Let’s look at the regions in detail and see what they have to offer!
Far North- RV Winery
This region begins as soon as you cross the state of Oregon into California. The wineries in northern California are usually centered around Humboldt or in the Shasta County region. You can also add other adventures to your itinerary such as visiting the Lassen Volcanic National Park or you can spend the day boating, swimming, or fishing at Shasta Lake. These are the wineries we recommend visiting while you’re in the Far North: Gale Vineyards, Almendra Winery & Distillery, and LaRocca Vineyards.
Planning a trip to various wineries means having to carefully plan strategic locations for your campgrounds. In the Far North region of California, there are many lakes and together with the coasts and mountains, this gives way to many campgrounds. Right at the base of Mt. Shasta, there is a campground area that promises breathtaking views and full hookups. Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort also has full hookups that are close to the lake which features a Splash zone, fishing, swimming, boating, and many more outdoor activities.
North Coast- RV Winery
This is the wine region that most people are accustomed to visiting. The North Coast features the Napa Valley and Sonoma county together with the scenic county that is Mendocino County. Since it is home to a large freshwater lake, water activities are incredibly popular in this part of town.
Other than visiting wineries, there are other activities that you can add to your itinerary. From taking a hot air balloon ride to having a fancy dinner, you will never be bored for there are so many things to do in Northern California. Don’t forget about the endless hiking and exploration activities you can embark on at the many state parks and beaches.
You can choose to stay at the many beautiful RV places on the North Coast. Clear Lake and the coast offer scenic views that have many spots for you to camp while you’re exploring the area. In the heart of wine country, Bothe-Napa Valley Park has a rustic camping area, so it is important to note that it has no hookups. The Sonoma County Fairgrounds has full hookups that are available all year when the fair is not in session. You can also rent RVs and trailers on the North Coast that are well-equipped for your wine-tasting road trip.
Central Coast- RV Winery
California’s Central Coast is home to many popular spots such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Paso Robles, and Santa Barbara County. Be sure to stop in San Francisco to see sites like the Exploratorium and Golden Gate Park or stop in Santa Barbara to shop on State Street or visit the Old Mission Santa Barbara. A must-see is definitely the Hearst Castle.
The wineries that we recommend visiting in this region are: Adelaida Vineyards & Winery, Fess Parker Winery & Inn, and Folded Hills Winery, Ranch, and Farmstead. The areas of Paso Robles and Santa Barbara County have no shortage of breathtaking campgrounds to stay at. The Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground is a large camping area situated in Buellton that is just a stone’s throw away from local wineries. Flying Flags is also near the Danish-style town of Solvang where you can visit even more wineries.
Southern Californi- RV Winery
The Temecula Valley is the place to be for a quick trip to wine country. This area is known for growing Spanish, French, and Italian grapes for wines like Sangiovese, Zinfandel, and Syrah. You’ll also be able to explore places in Southern California like Disneyland and the San Diego area.
We recommend visiting these wineries in Southern California: Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery, Bailey Vineyard & Winery, and Vindemia Winery. Besides simply tasting wine, hot air balloon rides and biking trails are things you can add to your list of things to do. The Temecula/Vail Lake KOA is a place you can stay if you love the outdoors — it is near hiking and mountain biking trails and features pools as well if you would like to cool off. Other places like the Pechanga Resort & Casino also host RV campgrounds that are right next to a casino and even feature a resort pool area called The Cove.
The best time to visit these wineries would be late summer all the way through early fall. This is because the grapes would be almost ready to be picked and the vines would be bending under the weight of the grapes. Fall is the harvest season where you will be able to see the process works when you visit the wineries.
Conclusion
Remember to drive safe when embarking on your winery tours! From all the wineries you’re going to visit all the outdoor activities and cool attractions that California offers, you’re going to be spoilt for choice. Remember to plan well and you’re sure to have the best trip. Happy wine tasting!
