Sources of Information
Tourist Offices
The California Travel and Tourism Commission issues a visitors’ guide and has Welcome Centers throughout the state, including in Santa Rosa. The different regions of Wine Country also have tourism offices, where you can pick up literature and get advice.
Winery Associations
The wineries of the region are represented by several separate organizations. Some also mail out literature, and a few have tourist information bureaus. Napa Valley Vintners and Sonoma County Wineries Association are among the most important.
Hotel Associations
The California Hotel and Lodgings Association and California Association of Bed and Breakfast Inns can provide information about member hotels throughout the state. The Bed and Breakfast Inns of Napa Valley and the Bed and Breakfast Association of Sonoma Valley provide information about their member hotels.
Local Tour Operators
Found throughout the region, local tour operators are often the most reliable sources of information about sightseeing and activities related to specific areas and destinations. Many companies also operate tourist information bureaus.
Bookstores and Libraries
Several bookstores in Wine Country have a good range of guide-books, maps, and other travel-related literature. Hotel gift stores are also good sources, as are local libraries. The Sonoma County Wine Library is the best resource for books about wine and viticulture.
Websites
There is a huge amount of information about Wine Country available online. Google and other Internet search engines are a useful means of locating specific information, such as weather conditions, the cost of flights, etc.
Maps
There are several good maps of California Wine Country. The free maps offered at tourist offices and most hotels are all that most people need. Detailed maps of wineries can be downloaded from the internet.
Local Publications
Several local newspapers publish articles and news about Wine Country, such as the Napa Valley Register, the St. Helena Star, and Santa Rosa Press Democrat, available at newsstands. Regional magazines include Napa Sonoma Magazine and Savor Wine Country. Most are available online and some are available free in hotels.
Guides
There are many well-informed and qualified guides available. Ask local travel agencies or your hotel concierge to recommend a reliable guide. Many taxi drivers also hire themselves out as guides.
Weather Reports
Real-time weather reports are available online, some of which provide weather forecasts for up to one week ahead. Local newspapers and TV news channels also provide short- and long-term weather forecasts.