Offsite – Blair Spangler

A 1/2 day in one of the Regions picturesque villages offers options for everyone

As everything in these small towns is within walkable distance, a group can be dropped off and left for hours to explore at their leisure to then be picked up at some designated time 4 or 6 hours later. We find groups love the freedom and diverse options. Healdsburg and St Helena are optimal for foodies and restaurants, St helena has the best wineries, (no great spa). All towns have excellent wine tasting, restaurants (groups usually gets together for lunch), shopping, and bike shops with easy biking around town or into neighboring vineyards. If spa services and massage is important, Calistoga is the best choice as the spa there has one-of-a-kind natural thermal water pools, volcanic ash mud baths, and the ability to do simultaneous massages for 20 persons or more. The timing of massages could otherwise extend over many hours for large groups.

Bike our hills for speed and endurance

2 of our properties are located near on a ridge It is downhill all the way in both directions for the advanced rider. Some areas are rather steep on the 2 lane paved roads. Picturesque and challenging. Stop in town for lunch or a wine tasting. You can ride back up or we can arrange to collect your group and the bikes for the return. Alternatively, bikes can be rented in one of the bucolic local villages for a day on the valley floor among the vines and wineries. Guided tours between wineries can be choreographed.

Bird Watching

Many bird species frequent our rural properties. Spend an afternoon with an expert and discover the resplendent beauty of the avian world so often overlooked. This experience affords numerous competitive options for Team Building in nature and can be done at our St Helena property or in nearby parks

Bowling

Great for a rainy day adventure. Tour the quaint town of Petaluma and engage in some serious competition and showmanship at the state of the art lanes.

County Fairs are an Ideal team building event

Food-Eating Contest: Arrange a food-eating contest featuring popular county fair treats, such as hot dogs, cotton candy, or pies. Each team will nominate one member to participate, and the team whose representative finishes the food first wins.
Carnival Game Tournament: Set up a tournament using different carnival games available at the fair, such as ring toss, balloon darts, or the strongman hammer. Assign points for winning or placing in each game.
Trivia Challenge: about the county fair’s history, local area, or general knowledge. Divide the group into teams and have them answer questions in a competitive format, with the highest-scoring team winning.
Creative Photo Challenge: Assign each team a list of creative photo challenges to complete, such as “Take a photo with the largest stuffed animal prize” or “Capture your team posing as a human pyramid in front of the Ferris wheel.” The team with the most creative and entertaining photos, as judged by an impartial panel, wins.
Agricultural Exhibit Challenge: Have teams explore the agricultural exhibits and create a presentation on a specific theme, such as sustainable farming or the importance of local produce. The team with the most informative and engaging presentation wins.

E-Biking

E-bikes provide pedal assistance make it easier to tackle hills, headwinds, and longer distances. This feature makes it easier for people of all ages and fitness levels to enjoy cycling and longer distances are possible.
E-bikes are eco-friendly as they use rechargeable batteries as their primary power source, resulting in lower carbon emissions and reduced pollution compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. E-bikes still require pedaling, which provides a good workout and can improve cardiovascular health, joint mobility, and mental health.

Exotic Car Experience

Drive a Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Aston Martin, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Porsche, Audi, Tesla, or Nissan GTR along the glorious country roads and endless vineyards or coastal splendor of Napa and Sonoma.
1 hour or 2.5 hour tour: (choose one car to drive), 3-4 laps in each car on a world-class racetrack, a 25min safety training class, a professional instructor in the right seat during your experience, a racing helmet to use,
Half-Day or Full -DAY TOUR: Cruise along Pacific Coast Highway where you’ll find yourself weaving in towards the sea and out back to the countryside with the natural expertise of a supercar handler. Speak the language of Italian, German, and American engineering – paired with the taste of Californian wine. Drive THREE of the world’s best cars including the Ferrari 488 Spyder, Lamborghini Huracan Spyder and Porsche 911/992 GT3.
Racing experience: race exotic cars down a runway for the adrenaline rush of a lifetime. Exotic car airstrip runs can be timed to foster a healthy competition for ar team with the top run times awarded at the end of the event.

Farm Tours

Agriculture, other than grapes, has been a significant part of the county’s economy for over a century. Visitors can explore local farms and orchards, participate in farm-to-table experiences, and sample artisanal cheeses, honey, olive oil, and other locally produced food products. Curated based on your group’s preferences, timing, and farm availability; the possibilities are endless.

Fishing

Lake Sonoma: is a stunning man-made lake located in northern county. It is stocked with species including bass, trout, and catfish.
Bodega Bay: a Pacific Ocean coastal fishing town offers a variety of saltwater fishing options including rockfish, salmon, halibut, and Dungeness crab. Charter boats available for hire for deep-sea fishing.
Tomales Bay: long, narrow inlet is a popular for shellfishing, including oysters and clams in western Sonoma. Anglers can also fish for steelhead trout and salmon in the bay.
Petaluma River:is a tidal river located in the southern Sonoma County that is home to a variety of fish species including bass, sturgeon, and striped bass.

Foodie Walking Tour

A foodie walking tour in Sonoma or Napa County is an excellent way to discover the hidden culinary gems and experience the local food culture. These tours take visitors on a journey through the most charming neighborhoods, historic downtowns, and vibrant marketplaces, introducing them to the local agriculture, food culture and the people who make it happen. With a variety of tours to choose from, visitors can tailor their experience to their favorite restaurants, wines and culinary preferences.

Forest Bathing

Not a naturalist hike or fitness outing, forest bathing is an intentionally guided ramble designed to help participants absorb nature through all five senses. Since 1982, studies conducted at institutions such as the Nippon Medical School in Tokyo and Stanford University School of Medicine have demonstrated that forest bathing can reduce stress hormones, improve mood and cognitive function, and even boost the immune system. a trained facilitator through a series of mindful and sensory-based activities in a forest or natural setting. During a guided forest bathing session, the facilitator will guide you through a series of exercises designed to help you tune into your senses and surroundings. This may include simple mindfulness practices like deep breathing and meditation, as well as sensory-based exercises like noticing the textures of tree bark, the sounds of birds, or the smell of the forest. You may also be invited to engage in gentle movement exercises, such as walking slowly, stretching, or practicing yoga poses. These activities are meant to help you connect with your body and the natural environment around you.

Geocaching

This adventure involves using a GPS device or a smartphone to navigate to specific coordinates and locate hidden containers called “geocaches” or “caches.” These typically small, waterproof containers that contain a logbook where the geocacher can sign their name and date of visit as proof of finding the cache. Some caches also contain small trinkets or toys that can be exchanged or swapped. Geocaching can be done by anyone, a great way to explore and get outdoors.

Hiking the wonders of Napa and Sonoma

There are 100’s of regional and state parks to choose from with a seemingly infinite variety of terrains and views. From redwood forests to coastal cliffs, from vineyard overlooks to the pacific ocean. We can arrange a knowledgeable local guide. Remember hiking can be combined with wine tasting, bird-watching, nature photography, etc.

Horseback Riding

Whatever your dream about horseback riding might be, you’ll probably find it in Sonoma County:
Cantering swiftly on a beautiful beach at sunset, waves crashing alongside, Comfortably astride a gentle horse that’s picking its way through a thick forest, the only sound a persistent woodpecker, trotting smoothly alongside a fast-moving, early-spring stream, a leisurely trail ride through neat rows of lush grapevines ending with a wine tasting. Anything is possible.

Kayak, PaddleBoard, Canoe

Russian River: The Russian River is idyllic for both paddle boarding, kayaking and canoeing. With its slow-moving waters, provides an excellent opportunity for beginners and endless scenery and a bounty of birds and wildlife on your waterway journey.
Lake Sonoma: Lake Sonoma offers paddle-boarding and canoeing in an exquisite setting with calm waters and stunning mountain views.
Bodega Bay: offers ocean kayaking with varied marine wildlife: seals, sea lions, and otters.
Tomales Bay: Calmer waters than Bodega, this oceanic microcosm is appropriate for all levels of kayakers with more options for birds than Bodega all the same type of water mammals.

Nature Photography

A nature photography class teaches the art and technique of capturing images of the natural world, including landscapes, wildlife, plants, and natural phenomena. The course covers camera basics, composition, lighting, wildlife photography, landscape photography, macro photography, and post-processing. Students also learn about the ethics of nature photography, including guidelines for minimizing impact on the environment and respecting the rights of animals and other natural subjects. The class can include hiking too exotic areas of Sonoma County including the Pacific coast.

Observatory

Ocean water sports

Bodega Bay is the most unique sailing area in the San Francisco Bay Area offering 5 very different sailing sites. If offers everything from a shallow water learning site to speed sailing to a radical wave sailing.The Bodega season starts in March continues to autumn. Reliable spring winds start early in the day and are easy to forecast. The spring wind typically start in the morning in the 6.0 to 5.0 range and build by midday to 18 to 30+ knots. In the summer the winds are lighter and don’t reach short board level until late afternoon, ideal days for lessons

Racecar Experience

KARTING: lead-follow and open lapping sessions using fleet of high-speed Sprint Karts; capable of speeds in excess of 70 mph. 3-4 hours. KARTING + HOT LAPS: the thrill of speeding around the world-famous 2.52-mile road course in a state-of-the-art track car, with a professional driver behind the wheel of our open-wheel super sports cars, experience firsthand twists and turns of an iconic road course at speeds north of 100 mph. 4 hours.
KARTING + HOT LAPS + AUTOCROSS CHALLENGE: In this intense, rapid-fire event two groups compete in a timed driving challenge that puts driving skills and teamwork to the test. This event usually runs for 4-6 hours.

Safari: Experience the Sonoma Serengeti

Safaris: go out at scheduled times. Private safaris are available for your group. Wine, beer, and appetizers can be added to private safaris for an additional cost.
Winos and Rhinos – Delight in private wine tasting safari!
Brews and Buffalo – Beer tasting on the Sonoma Serengeti!
Twilight Serengeti Dinner: at the Tree Top Aviary where Cheetahs and Chardonnay are among the unique options available.
Private and close-up encounters with animals behind the scenes with our animal caretakers.

Scavenger Hunt in one of the Historic Towns of Napa or Sonoma ~ Professionally built brings team members into contact with historic sites:

Scavenger hunts in one of several of the charming local towns that ensure participants learn more about the history of the town and the wine country.We have great response to these as the little villages are such perfect “stage sets” for this activity

Surfing Sonoma Coast

The best-known surf spots in Sonoma County is Salmon Creek Beach, just north of Bodega Bay, 2nd best is Doran Beach, located on the southern edge of Bodega Bay. Doran Beach is a wide, sandy beach that offers a variety of waves, including lefts, rights, and peaks. The waves here can be powerful and challenging, making it a great spot for more experienced surfers. Surf shops are in Bodega. It’s important to note that surfing on the Sonoma County coast can be challenging, especially for beginners. The water can be cold, and the waves can be powerful, so it’s essential to have the right equipment and to be aware of the potential dangers. It’s also important to respect the local surf culture and to follow proper surf etiquette to ensure that everyone can enjoy the waves safely.

Vintage Airplanes

located at the Petaluma Municipal Airport in Petaluma. They offer flights on vintage aircraft, including the WACO UPF-7 biplane, the Boeing Stearman PT-17, and the Piper J-3 Cub
The Wine Country tour: Catch an Eagle’s View of the world renowned vineyards of the Sonoma and Napa Valleys, heading east across the Carneros region to Napa, turning north to St. Helena, then west to Glen Ellen and finally back south through the lush Sonoma Valley.
West to the Pacific: Aviate over rolling hills and open pastures of Sonoma, Novato and Petaluma; then head out to Tomales Bay and absorb the Majestic magnificence of the Pacific Ocean. Spires of “The City”: Drift south toward San Francisco. A panoramic outlook of the Sausalito and  Tiburon Harbors: outlying views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands,  then circle Mt. Tamalpais en route to Point Reyes and your safe Sonoma return.

Whale watching

The Best time to see whales in Sonoma, from cliffs on the coast or from tour boats – is from December to April, during the annual gray whale migration. Excellent charters can be had for large groups out of SF. Other whale species such as humpback whales, orcas, and blue whales can also be seen in the area from May to November. In addition to whales, visitors to Sonoma County may also see other marine animals such as dolphins, sea lions, and harbor seals. There are also many species of birds that can be spotted along the coast, including pelicans, cormorants, and gulls.

Zip lining through the redwoods

Sonoma Zipline Adventures is high-flying adventure that will immerse your group in the unparalleled beauty of the world famous California Coastal Redwoods. From panoramic forest views to thrillingly deep ravines, get up close and personal with some of the tallest, and oldest, living things you’ll ever meet Everyone will end your tour with a deeper appreciation for the forest and our planet.