Giraffes in Wine Country
SAFARI in SONOMA
COST (USD): $83 (day trip)
FUN: 5 of 5
UNIQUENESS: Medium
DIFFICULTY: Easy
TIME: Three hours
LOCATION: Sonoma County, California, USA
Hidden in Napa Valley wine country is a gem of a Safari called Safari West. For my birthday my husband took me there to check it out. The highlights:
Seeing wilderbeast while riding atop a real safari jeep. Those beasts is a combination of at least 5 four-legged animals, and it’s pretty interesting to see.
Getting licked by giraffes while riding the top level of that same jeep.
Walking amongst birds in their sizable walk-in bird cage.
Getting up close and personal with lemurs at the entrance.
If you have a chance, stay the night at the safari, but book early! With an overnight stay you get to wake up to a view of the animals from your cabin.
Suggested One Day Itinerary:
Book their 2pm tour, you must book especially if it’s on a weekend
Drive up early from the bay area and enjoy some lunch and wine tasting in the Sonoma area. If the weather is good, enjoy a picnic at one of these 11 fine wineries.
Be sure to arrive for your 2pm tour at least 15 minutes early. Parking is relatively easy, but you do have to walk a bit through the parking lot.
Enjoy some dinner in the area or en route home.
Suggested Two Day Itinerary:
Book the overnight stay early, as the cabins are few and book out early, book a safari alongside, on the afternoon on the day of your arrival. You may also consider booking a hot air balloon ride for the following morning
Drive up early from the bay area and enjoy some lunch and wine tasting in the Sonoma area. If the weather is good, enjoy a picnic at one of these 11 fine wineries.
Be sure to arrive for your 2pm tour at least 15 minutes early. Parking is relatively easy, but you do have to walk a bit through the parking lot.
Enjoy the BBQ offered by the safari, or go out for dinner
If you booked a hot air ballon ride, rise early to catch the ride. If you didn’t, sleep in and enjoy the sound of the safari waking up
Take in a bike ride in Napa Valley.
Enjoy a leisurely journey back home. This Sol Food restaurant in San Rafael is one of our favorite on-the-way stops