How To Spend One Day in Anderson Valley, California – My Favorite Spots
How To Spend One Day in Anderson Valley, California – My Favorite Spots
Picture this: you’re driving along a one-lane, winding country road on a brisk fall morning. A shroud of mist lightly touches the tops of the rugged, green mountains on either side of you, hovering just above the golden-flaked valleys you’re driving through. That was the view I was greeted with on my day trip to California’s Anderson Valley.
Despite often being overshadowed by nearby Napa and Sonoma counties, Anderson Valley is a wonderful Northern California wine region and an enchanting place to see sprinkles of fall color from September to November. And I’m happy to say that my visit there was every bit the comfort-filled adventure I hoped it would be! So if you’re looking off-the-beaten-path charm, nature and wine, here’s everything I did and what I recommend doing for your own Anderson Valley travels:
Skip to my Anderson Valley Mini Guide here.
one day in anderson valley
Wandering amongst Giants
The first stop on my Anderson Valley Day Trip was to Hendy Woods State Park. Arriving just after opening hours, I found the pre-sunrise mist from my drive still lingering in the park like a soft blanket.
An early morning silence surrounded me as I stepped onto the trail, only to be punctuated by the soft crunch of fallen leaves beneath my boots. Hiking solo, there’s a special intimacy with nature. You hear every whisper and feel every heartbeat of the forest. It had been a while since my last visit to a national or state park and I lingered a moment to take all that magic in.
Once over and as special as that silence was, I turned on some music and began exploring the trail. I knew I could accidentally sneak up on mountain lions or black bears if I wasn’t careful so I planned to be as loud as possible in an effort to avoid contact. Plus, the idea of hiking in such a majestic place with The Lord of the Rings soundtrack was too good of an opportunity to pass up.
The towering redwoods I encountered along the short All Access Trail, the Discovery Trail and the Upper Loop Trail stood like ancient sentinels, unchallenged by the passage of time. As the sun’s rays finally pierced the canopy above, the forest floor was painted in hues of gold, leaving me to wonder whether I was still hiking the Anderson Valley or the fantasy forest of Lothlorien.
Every corner of this park told a story, and as I wandered deeper into the woods, I found fallen redwoods, hollowed out giants and even a family of black-tailed deer that didn’t seem too bothered by my presence. Overall, my enchanting encounters with the nature inside Hendy Woods State Park turned out to be the first epic chapter to a wonderful day in Anderson Valey.
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Location:
The Anderson Valley Wine Region is located about 2.5 hours by car from San Francisco and 45 minutes from Mendocino, California.
Weather:
Anderson Valley summers are warm, dry, and mostly clear while the winters are cold, wet, and partly cloudy. Temperatures are mild, varying from high 30s in the winter to low 80s in the summer.
one day in anderson valley
Apples Don’t Fall Far From The Trees
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Just around the corner from Hendy Woods is Philo Apple Farm, a lovely year-round farm stand where visitors can purchase locally-grown apples, pears, ciders and jellies.
Set up near a picturesque wooden building and garden, the farm stand held rows of apple bins, each with a small sign detailing the type and origin of its contents.
While usually run on the honor system, a woman was working the counter during my visit, offering more details about the farm’s products and free cider and maple syrup samples! I ended up leaving with not only with a few King David and Philo Gold apples, but also a packet of dried pears.
one day in anderson valley
A Wonderful Tasting At Handley Cellars
After grabbing my late-morning snacks at the Apple Farm, it was time for a wine tasting. For this, I journeyed over to the woman-founded, organic winery, Handley Cellars.
The serenity of both Handley’s grounds and tasting room was palpable the moment I arrived for my reservation. Located on a hill above the main road, the estate overlooks a surrounding landscape of rolling vineyards and striking redwoods. And the property itself undoubtedly has the most picturesque tasting room in Anderson Valley, with a white wooden tower and a shaded garden patio, the latter of which I was able to enjoy my tasting at.
To my pleasant surprise, I was Handley’s first visitor for the day. This made the shaded patio, surrounded by the winery’s beautiful garden to one side and the lovely view to the other side feel even more tranquil.
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My visit was facilitated by Derek, a tasting associate who I learned is also a musician and photographer living near the coast. With each pour, Derek shared colorful anecdotes about each vintage, taking me through the delicate notes of their Pinot Noirs all the way to their more vibrant of their Gewürztraminers.
Tasting Information
Handley Cellars Tastings are approximately one hour in length and $15 per person*. One fee is waived with every 3 bottles purchased. Reservations Required.
Had I not been traveling solo, I definitely would have left with three, but opted for just one bottle that I could share with the coworkers I’d be visiting in just a few days time!
one day in anderson valley
Exploring Philo
In the early afternoon, I visited the center of Philo, one of the main towns on Highway 128, for some walkable adventures. My first stop: Lemon’s Philo Market. I ordered a custom sandwich from the deli counter and bought a box of crackers to take with me on my next tasting at Domaine Anderson.
I chose to visit Domaine Anderson primarily because of its recognizable and biodynamic offerings. Arriving at the tasting room, I couldn’t resist the allure of sitting on its patio in the comfortable September weather. As I took my seat and unpacked my sandwich and crackers, I was greeted by the cheerful wine tasting associate who would lead me through my tasting.
She poured the first wine on the tasting menu, sharing a tidbit about its origin before stepping back to let me savor it. Midway through the tasting, a gust of wind nearly sent my napkin through the vineyard, eliciting a shared chuckle between us. It was lovely to be able to sample the few varietals I hadn’t previously had in this relaxed atmosphere.
Tasting Information
Domaine Anderson Tastings are approximately one hour in length and $20 per person*. Reservations required.
Afterward, I carefully crossed the street to The Madrones, an Italian-inspired enclave with an intimate hotel, a farm-to-table restaurant and lovely boutiques. Here, I visited Sun & Cricket, a curated shop full of books, gifts and more. While perusing the shelves, I found a unique gold magnifying glass that I knew I had to take home.
one day in anderson valley
A Pit Stop in Boonville
Next up on my Anderson Valley trip was Boonville, the second main town off of Highway 128. I was particularly excited to stop by Boonville’s Farmhouse Mercantile, a haven of artisanal treasures, where a set of olive and cream kitchen towels caught my eye and quickly became a must-have.
A bit down the street, Disco Ranch beckoned me with a gourmet selection of tapas, wines and snacks. There, I snagged a rich olive mix spread, imagining how it would perfectly complement the crackers from my earlier stop. Even in brief moments, Boonville served up delightful finds, adding layers to my day’s adventure.
one day in anderson valley
Ending The Day at Maple Creek Winery
Finally, around mid-afternoon I made it to my last stop in the Anderson Valley: Maple Creek Winery. The winery is home to Artevino Wines, a boutique family-owned natural wine label.
Here, I was able to meet the winery’s owner, Tom, who’s third generation Portuguese. It was so special to hear about his passion for his land and wine.
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With flavors ranging from pears to plums and from oak to black pepper, Maple Creek was the perfect way to end this fall adventure in Anderson Valley.
Tasting Information
Maple Creek Winery Tastings are approximately one hour in length and $20 per person*. Reservations required.
one day in anderson valley
Anderson Valley Mini Guide
Shops
Farmhouse Mercantile – Home Goods and Clothing
Hedgehog Books – Bookshop
Sun & Cricket – Books, Gifts, Toys and Accessories
The Bohemian Chemist – Herbal Apothecary
Hendy Woods State Park Trails
All Access Trail – 0.5 Miles
Discovery Trail – 0.6 Miles
Upper Loop Trail – 1.6 Miles
Grab-And-Go Food
Disco Ranch – Charcuterie Plates, Snacks and Wine
Gowan’s Oak Tree – Apples, Cider, Pies + Produce
Lemon’s Philo Market – Grocery Store and Deli
Philo Apple Farm – Apples, Pears, Ciders and Jellies
Restaurants
Boonville Hotel Restaurant – Upscale American
Lauren’s at The Buckhorn – American Cuisine
Wickson Restaurant – Iberian Dishes
Wineries
Artevino – Natural
Domaine Anderson – Organic + Biodynamic
Handley Cellars – Organic + Woman-Founded
*All costs at time of writing and may be subject to change. They do not include any additional purchases or tips. Make sure to reserve any wine tastings in advance!
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