Vacation Rentals & Villas

The Wine Country of California's Central Valley region is a perennially popular location for vacation rentals. This picturesque landscape with its mild climate is a ideal location for holiday cottages or villa rentals where one can spend some time touring the 400 plus wineries and enjoying some unique fine dining experiences. Vacation rentals in this area appeal particularly to food and wine enthusiasts although the region also offers some good hiking, fishing and other outdoor pursuits.The winemaking history of the area dates back to the latter part of the 19th century when transplanted French winemakers tried to establish vines in the Napa and Sonoma valleys in the region.

After many setbacks, including the Great Depression and Prohibition years, California's wines grew from strength to strength , culminating in the famous Paris Wine tasting of 1976 when Chardonnays and Cabernet Sauvignon from this region was declared the winners in a blind taste test – beating out the established big name vineyards of France. Most of the wineries in the region offer tours, tastings and lessons - some of the larger ones even having dedicated visitor centers. There are some great opportunities to stock up ones wine cellar with some interesting and otherwise not commercially available wines. Those looking to book holiday homes in the area should consider bringing along a teetotal friend to act as designated driver for this trip because it would be a shame to have to keep spitting out some of these fine wines!

Going hand in hand with the winegrowing in the region – the fresh and local produce in the area means that there are many restaurants in the area offering some great fine dining experiences. The availability of such high quality local ingredients and a steady stream of visitors looking for fine dining means that the region attracts some of the country's most talented chefs and restaurateurs both established and up and coming. A popular related pastime for visitors in the area is spending a day at a cookery class – for those booking holiday homes in the area, professional chefs will visit and spend the day providing one on one or small group tuition. Classroom based culinary schools also dot the area for those looking for something away from their holiday homes.

With all those calories being eaten and drunk, it is fortunate the Central Valley area is also a popular destination for outdoor pursuits. Horse riding, hiking, fishing and biking are all very popular, with hundreds of miles of trails criss-crossing the region. Hot springs and petrified forests in the region are also popular. Hot air balloon trips offer opportunities to enjoy a bottle of wine whilst floating gently over hills and valleys.

The region is also replete with historic buildings, with certain towns and cities showing their distinct Mexican heritage. The town of Sonoma is the centre of the winemaking industry in Sonoma Valley and is also a historic city in itself – its well preserved buildings and 8 acre plaza are steeped in the history of California. It is from this plaza that the Bear Flag was first raised and California was declared free from Mexican rule. Numerous festivals and events dot the calendar, including food and wine festivals, farmers markets and film and arts festivals.

The Mediterranean climate and verdant landscape make this an ideal location for holiday homes. Visitors may wish to consider holiday cottages in the countryside or holiday villas in one of the surrounding towns but either way, will be sure to enjoy the offerings of this very special region.