Zebras, Zinfandels, Stone Trees, and the Man Who Gave Us 'Good Grief!'

A staple of Calistoga's laid-back downtown since 2004, this roastery is popular with visitors as well as with locals who appreciate the friendly vibe and freshly roasted single-bean varietal coffees and assorted loose-leaf teas. The cafe offers standard breakfast items, from bagels to breakfast sandwiches, as well as a variety of smoothies. Get that last taste of Napa Valley before crossing the mountains to Sonoma Wine Country.

Halfway between the Napa and Sonoma valleys is this improbable preserve for hundreds of African animals, including giraffes, zebras, flamingos, rhinos, and cheetahs. Guests at this 400-acre preserve in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains can stroll the main grounds or opt for a guided safari drive out to the larger habitats.

Because volcanic ash blanketed this area after Mount St. Helena erupted more than 3 million years ago, the redwoods in this mile-long forest have turned to stone through the slow infiltration of silica and other minerals. Look closely, and you’ll also see petrified seashells, clams, and other marine life, indicating that water covered this part of the planet long before the redwood forest grew. Take the half-mile walking trail to see a collection of rock logs, plus the Pit Tree (a preserved pine in a 15-foot-deep pit), a statue of Petrified Charlie (Charles Evans, this land’s first owner), and other stiffened trees with names like The Giant (a redwood) and The Queen, who has a live oak growing out of her. A second half-mile trail leads through a handful of small meadows and ends at a large meadow with a view of Mt. Saint Helena.

Charlie Brown is practically Santa Rosa’s logo: Charles “Sparky” Schulz, though originally from Minnesota, lived here most of his adult life. In his honor, town residents opened this museum in 2002, less than two years after he died. An introductory video, narrated by Schulz’s widow, Jean, reveals the local rituals that were a part of the cartoonist’s daily life, including his involvement with the Redwood Empire Ice Arena adjacent to the museum. Exhibits include a faithful replica of Schulz’s studio, featuring his original drawing board, books, and photos; the Morphing Snoopy Sculpture, a huge artwork portraying Snoopy’s many personas; and a mural that, at first glance, looks like that ubiquitous image of Lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown, made entirely from 3,588 comic images printed on small ceramic tiles. You can buy just about any Peanuts-themed product you can think of in the massive gift shop.

As you do at most wineries in the Healdsburg area, you'll need an advanced reservation to do a tasting here. But the effort is worth it. As the name of this chic young winery suggests, it blends a love of photography with a love of wine. While you're learning about the grape-growing and blending process here, you'll also get to explore the owner's spectacular photography collection, which spans the globe in its subjects and artists. As for the wines, they're expertly blended and will appeal to lovers of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

On the eastern side of pastoral Healdsburg Plaza is this hip, fun restaurant that serves up seriously great smoked meats and traditional sides with a twist, all with a heaping helping of Western cowboy vibe. Order the signature Prime Brisket or St. Louis Ribs, either by the pound or as a combo with fluffy cornbread and Spiced Sweet Potato Tots, and pull up a chair in the low-frills, casual dining space (most meals come on paper-lined aluminum trays). The menu also includes a selection of burgers and sandwiches, but, honestly, it’s really about the smoked meats. A few laps around the plaza might be required before moving on to Santa Rosa.

Healdsburg's town center is arranged around a charming, Spanish-style plaza, shaded by palms, redwoods, and other trees. Stroll around the plaza and explore the friendly little galleries, cafes, and stores with crafts, elegant baubles, and Wine Country-themed trinkets and clothing. Over 50 wineries lie within the immediate vicinity of Healdsburg, including several with tasting rooms near the plaza. There are plenty of park benches and a burbling fountain in the middle, so take a load off, sit back in the sun, and take in the Mayberry-meets-Merlot vibe.

This 10-acre property manages to skirt the line between contemporary and retro, offering modern art and architecture but with the mid-century modern ethos it was born with in the 1950s. Rest up for the last day of road-tripping in one of the 170 rooms and suites and make use of a cabana by one of the two pools, the fitness center and spa, a hot tub, and, for more adventurous travelers, an ice-bucket shower. Before bedding down, grab a bite of Cal-Pacific cuisine at the Flamingo's Lazeaway Club and a cocktail (or three) at Vintage Space, a retro-heavy lounge that first opened in 1957. The slogan here is "Sending it since Sputnik."