The History of the Sonoma Valley, California's Wine Industry

The Sonoma Valley, located in Sonoma County, California, is known for primary one thing: wine. Known as the birthplace of the California wine industry, the valley is a vast field of vineyards and wineries--encompassing some of the first in the state. Sonoma Valley is home to 183-year-old vines and has stood the test of time.Some wineries, in fact, survived the impact of prohibition in the early 20th century. The valley's wines are now protected by the U.S. Federal Government's Sonoma Valley and Carneros American Viticultural Areas. The wine industry also survived an epidemic of a root disease called phylloxera, which affects the grapes and its vines.

Places to Visit in Mendocino, California

Mendocino, California is another small town nestled in this large state. It's an unincorporated town of roughly 900 residents. The small beach town, despite its notorious size, is iconic for vacation getaways to the Pacific Ocean. The climate, unlike most areas in California, is not as hot as you'd think. It's warm and sometimes dry, but with it sitting on the beach, it's cooler than other hot and dry areas in the state. Often times, it experiences a Maritime Mediterranean climate, often good weather for beach adventures, boating and fishing.

That's not all this Maritime town has to offer. It's also booming with arts and culture and attractions that draw in thousands of tourists for a relaxing (and sometimes exciting) vacation spot.

Top 10 Things to Do on the Mendocino Coast

In the corner of Northern California you’ll find the beautiful Mendocino coast and its laidback, artsy culture that has made it one of the top tourist destinations in the country – or even the world. Appearing in television shows (Murder She Wrote) and movies (Overboard), Mendocino is a dramatic but fun-filled location making it an attractive town to explore and experience a wide variety of activities.