Last week, we sent our first five of our top ten favorite activities in Sonoma County. We promised another set this week and here they are and we promise they’re just as fun and economical as the first set. All you’ll need is some fuel and your fellow coworkers soon to be new friends. Here we go…

6. Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve – Our trees are bigger than your trees, and older too. Coastal Redwood trees, sometimes called Sequoias, are in fact the tallest living thing on earth at an average lifespan of 500-1000 years and grow to be 200-250 feet tall, spanning a diameter of 12-16 feet, not to mention, they are absolutely gorgeous. They only live in mild, and foggy climates that retain moisture are found only in certain parts of Oregon and California, only within the first 50 miles inland, including this park in Guernville, just west of the area between Santa Rosa and Healdsburg. Believe it or not, Armstrong typically gets 55 inches of rain per year. Take a leisurely stroll through the park or a more challenging 9+ mile hike.$8 will get your whole car in, so get some deli sandwiches, pack all your friends in your Eurovan and hit the road for a day to cost you less than <$15.

Source: Michael Schweppe (http://www.flickr.com/photos/schweppe/21556590/) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

7. The Cheese Trails – Perhaps the only thing better (sometimes) than a wine trail. Get a cheese treasure map here which includes a list of all the creameries and cheese companies you could ask for within one county. There is not one but two trails: one in Sonoma County and the other in Marin County. The Sonoma trail connects the triangle map between the towns Petaluma, Sebastopol and Sonoma. Check out the link to the map here and on the second page it also provides what kind of cheese whether it be cow, goat, sheep, water buffalo (I’m not joking) including organic selections too. If the taste of this cheese is any indication of a cow’s happiness than you bet  they come from California

Source: Frank Schulenburg (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

8. Point Reyes – Ok, Point Reyes is *technically* in Marin County, but we’ll adopt it because it’s so cool – and close. The Coastal Trail to Alamere Falls specifically, where you can find a “tidefall,” a waterfall that drops into the ocean, 40 feet in this case. Taking the Palomarin Trailhead, you’ll pass the entrance to two small lakes, one of which, Bass Lake, has a rope swing (!). When you reach the falls, look for a well worn path down to the beach. Accessing the beach is not “encouraged” but taking care in navigating your way down should lead you safely there. Another note about this trail, check the bit about poison oak in our last post.

9. Let’s-a play-a some-a bocce ball-a – A fun afternoon of this Italian pastime is a great excuse for some day drinking. There are several wineries that offer bocce courts for their visitors. You just have to know where to find them: Imagery, Chateau St. Jean, Landmark and Larson in Sonoma and further north in Healdsburg at Armida, De La Montanya, Martorana and La Follette.  There’s also a popular Italian joint in Healdsburg called Campo Fina, that has an all day small bites in addition to their full menu as well as wine/beer/cocktail list bar menu. Head back to the patio where you’ll find their bocce court.

10. Wine Tasting

Source: johncarljohnson, Flickr

You’re working for a winery, right? That *typically* entitles you to complimentary “industry” tastings and discounts at other wineries. Ask your host winery to print some labels that say your name on them, slap those on the back of the generic winery business cards. Tasting room staff will usually ask to keep your card (so they can factor it into their visitation statistics) and check out the other wineries. You’ll learn a ton about the variety of wines that are produced in the area and the different styles in the valley. Especially if you do not purchase, it is becoming more common to leave a few bucks for your pourer if he or she did a good job answering all your technical questions and pouring you off-list wines that so happen to be open.

So there you have it. These activities will keep you out of trouble and your money in the pocket.