California Side Trips -Wineries of Santa Barbara County

California Side Trips -Wineries of Santa Barbara County

by Shari Hearn

If you think Napa Valley is the only wine country to see in California, think again. When it comes to spectacular wine growing regions, California's cup truly runs over.

For wine lovers living or visiting the Los Angeles, Ventura or Santa Barbara areas, a trip to the wine growing areas of Santa Barbara Country will not disappoint, where you'll find spectacular Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, as well as some Rhone and Italian varietals which are gaining popularity. You'll also find yourself exploring the same vineyards and tasting rooms in which the characters in the movie "Sideways" found themselves.

If visiting from the Los Angeles area, it's advisable to stay the night. Your choices for lodging range from the upscale Bacara Resort and Spa in Santa Barbara, with rooms starting at $475 per night, to the affordable Best Western Big America Hotel and Suites in Santa Maria, where you can get a room beginning at just under $100. Or, if you'd like to stay in the motel where Miles and Jack from "Sideways" stayed, you might like the Days Inn Buellton-Solvang, which begins at $110 per night on the weekends and around $60 during the week. The Days-Inn Buellton-Solvang is located two miles from Solvang, which is billed as the "Danish Capital of the USA," and a half mile from the Hitching Post II restaurant, also featured in the movie "Sideways" and home to some of the best steaks you'll ever eat.

There is, of course, no way you can visit all the wineries in Santa Barbara County in one weekend, there are just way too many. You might want to choose one of the wine producing areas or appellations in Santa Barbara County and visit as many wineries as you can in those areas. These areas and appellations include Santa Maria Valley, Los Alamos Valley, Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Rita Hills. Some of the major wineries in Santa Barbara County include Andrew Murray, Byron and Fess Parker.

One thing to remember is that just because you don't recognize a label does not mean you shouldn't visit the winery. Many of the wineries in Santa Barbara County (or even Napa Valley, for that matter) don't distribute their wines to the major supermarkets or wine shops. You may only find them at the winery, a handful of wine stores or select restaurants. Of course, if you find a wine you like (and you will), many of the wineries have websites where you can order the wine to be shipped to you. A couple wineries you may not have heard about, but definitely should visit are Cottonwood Canyon and Kenneth Volk, up near Santa Maria. Both have friendly tasting rooms and outstanding Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. Cottonwood Canyon does charge a tasting fee, while Kenneth Volk gives 5 tastes for free.

You might also wish to visit the wineries which were featured in "Sideways." These wineries include Fess Parker, Firestone, Kalyra, Foxen and Sanford.

If you find yourself with limited time, you can also visit one of the many shops in the area where you can sample wines from many different wineries from one tasting room. Often times these shops include wines from wineries without tasting rooms of their own. Grand Avenue in Los Olivos has several of these tasting rooms, so if you can't make it to the wineries themselves you'll still be able to taste the best Santa Barbara County has to offer.

Whenever taking wine tasting tours in California it's always wise to appoint a designated drive, and remember to eat and drinking plenty of water during the day.

Places to Stay in Canada on Fishing Trips

Places to Stay in Canada on Fishing Trips

by Rick Chapo

Canada fishing is some of the best in the world with a wide variety of challenges. If you decide to have a go, you need to know about the best places to stay.

Places to Stay in Canada on Fishing Trips

There are many different ways to plan your next fishing trip to Canada. You could plan to stay at a campground (in a tent or RV), in a rustic cabin or even in a small motel. Some people choose to have accommodations in a town or city nearest to their fishing area, so that they can have the amenities of an upscale hotel. For many fishermen, however, a stay in one of the Canada fishing rentals located right on the lakes and rivers where they'll be fishing is the way to go. No matter which province you choose for your fishing vacation, Canada fishing accommodations will be there to provide you with a comfortable and authentic outdoor experience.

One of the most luxurious and well-known fishing accommodations in Canada is in the province of Ontario. The Kesagami Wilderness Lodge, located on Kesagami Lake in the northern part of Ontario, is a four star fly-in fishing accommodation. Being a fly-in location means that the only way to reach this place is by airplane, making it a truly secluded and wilderness filled area. Kesagami Lake is perfect for trophy Northern Pike fishing, because it's relatively shallow and contains a number of weed filled bays. Fish here have been known to reach as big as 50 inches long and 30 pounds in weight, making this a truly world class destination for Northern Pike. With American Plan-style accommodations (three meals a day included in your stay) as well as recreation rooms and other amenities, a stay here at the Kesagami Wilderness is a great choice.

Another great place to stay at in Ontario is the Lake Obabika Lodge. Canada's only four diamond fishing accommodation (rated by the American Automobile Association/Canadian Automobile Association), this beautiful setting offers not only great fishing, but many other activities as well. From wine tastings to wilderness hikes and even a feng shui class, this lodge is a perfect destination for families that might have different vacation tastes. Fishing in the area includes Northern Pike, trout and bass.

There are many places to choose from for your Canada trip, and picking a location that will suit all of your needs (such as fishing guides, a great lake to fish on and even included meals) can make your trip very memorable. Fishing in Canada is a great way to return to nature.