13 minute read
My Journey: Travelling in Yolo County, California
Where the good times grow
Steve Hartridge visits Yolo County in northern California, an area rich in home-grown authentic experiences and country-style living
The purple fi elds provide an eye-catchingly colourful contrast to the green hues of the surrounding hills still dotted with the blackened remains of trees that perished in fi res in summer 2020.
Two teenage workers are moving between rows of lavender, carefully pinching the buds and placing them in buckets. Behind me two copper stills, called 'Ginger' and 'Fred', are distilling the water-soluble parts of the plant to make hydrosols, or fl oral waters.
A workshop is turning this into a range of products and the gift shop is stocked with insect repellents, creams, lip balms, facial toners, shower sprays, cleaning solvents and even shining agents for cats and dogs.
I am at Capay Valley Lavender, an organic farm with fi ve acres of lavender fi elds located in the heart of Yolo County, in northern California. "I planted my fi rst lavender fi eld at age 64. At a time when many look forward to retirement, I took steps to follow my lifelong dream of being a farmer even though I had not farming experience at all," says owner and ex-banker, Sherri Wood, who describes herself as a 'FarmHer'. "We have a Mediterranean climate here and lavender grows well and uses very little water,” she explains, handing me a glass of lavender-infused lemonade.
I am to discover that Yolo, located a short distance west of the state capital Sacramento and an easy drive from San Francisco, is an area rich in people San Francisco, is an area rich in people reconnecting with the land and its harvest. reconnecting with the land and its harvest.
The are wineries, craft breweries, honey producers, cherry tomato crops, olive oil estates, growers of walnuts and almonds, fi elds of herbs and fl owers and even rice farms – and many welcome visitors.
Family owned
Several of these enterprises are familyowned or, like Cape Valley Lavender, start-ups by entrepreneurs with a business idea who have chosen Yolo in search of a better balanced lifestyle and more qualitative family time.
On the outskirts of characterful Winters, for which the term "charming small town America" could have been invented, is Berryessa Gap Winery, one of 15 or so in the county.
Corinne Martinez, who in 2000 left beyond a corporate role at Microsoft to become owner/president of the family business, takes me on a driving tour of Yolo's fertile agricultural lands.
We stop at farm stalls, wineries and wellstocked country-style delis selling olive oils, crackers, jams, cheeses and much more.
At Park Winters, a fi ve-star B&B Inn, staff are covering tables with crisp white linen and placing hanging baskets of fl owers for what they say is their 14th wedding in the past 15 days – and it is not diffi cult to see why couples choose to say 'I do' here.
The property is set among beautifully manicured grounds in the middle of farmland, with a fl ower garden and pool.
That evening, back at Berryessa Gap Vineyards, a lively Sunday crowd is enjoying the estate's wines, craft beers
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This is a trip where the term 'farm to for k' has real meaning and live music. I chat to Corinne's brother, Dan, co-owner and CFO, and learn how the business was started by their father Dan Martinez, Sr., a fi rst generation farmer of Spanish immigrants who fi rst planted apricots, almonds, prunes and walnuts. The next morning I join a group of agristudents from Budapest, Hungary, who are in town to learn about the science behind grapevine rootstock. We tour the nursery as Dan explains how Berryessa provides rootstock (the part of the plant with a root system, to which a bud from another plant is grafted) for wineries in neighbouring Napa and Sonoma Valley.
Historic Winters
I meet more growers and producers during an evening hosted by the River Fox Train. I taste honey infused with pumpkin spice and habanero, spread on a bagel produced by local company Upper Crust Bakery, and sip mead, which is made by fermenting honey mixed with water and yeast.
Built in 1911, today the River Fox Train operates passenger excursions along a 10mile stretch of track and options include beer and wine tasting trips. 'Rail-bikes' are also on off er and I enjoy a short ride on one of the pedal-powered two-seat vehicles, cruising on rail track through ivy-covered woodlands that off er occasional views of the Sacramento river.
My rail-bike co-peddler is Natalie Klempau, who I had chatted to a few days earlier at the Taber Ranch Vineyard and Event Centre. Located in the heart of the stunning Capay Valley, the ranch enjoys 360-degree views of fertile land, rolling hills and canyon land. Taber is another of Yolo County's family-owned farms that off ers weddings, with receptions held in a restored historic barn.
I also spend an afternoon with Lynda Hinds, co-owner of new start-up Yolo 363, whose curated tours of the area take in farms, tasting rooms, distilleries, gift shops and locally owned restaurants.
One of our stops is at Turkovitch Family vineyards. Like Berryessa Gap, Turkovitch also operate a tasting room in Winters.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Winters' compact downtown blocks are full of quirky and one-off shops and restaurants. In the centre of town is the new Hotel Winters, with a Zenterra Spa, courtyard with a rooftop bar and Carboni’s Ristorante Bar & Marketplace.
One block from downtown is Abbey House Inn. Built in 1905 but freshly restored it features just four bedrooms, one with a loft that can be booked as an add on – perfect for friends of families.
This is a trip where the term 'farm to fork' has real meaning; where country-style eateries, ranches, wineries and working farms off er a taste of 'authentic California'.
There's no time for me to enjoy some of the other activities on off er in Yolo, such as white-water rafting, hiking or looking out for some of the 300 or so bird species that the area attracts – but that's all the more reason to plan a return visit. visityolo.com •
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Vis it Central Flo ida r Florida’s Sweetest Spot
With over 500 lakes, historic landmarks and theme parks, Central Florida is a bucket-list destination with something for all the family
When it comes to holiday destinations it doesn’t get any sweeter than Central Florida. Home to more than 550 freshwater lakes, historic landmarks and theme parks, this bucket-list locations has a little bit of everything under the Florida sun.
The newly opened Peppa Pig Theme Park is perfect for kids and adults who are kids at heart.
This one-of-a-kind attraction places guests right in the world of Peppa Pig and her porky friends.
Guests can enjoy six new rides designed specifically for pre-schoolers, character meet-and-greets and a familyfriendly adventure that lets mummy pigs and daddy pigs ride along with their little ones on almost every ride.
Florida’s Sweetest Spot is also home to the LEGOLAND® Florida Resort, just steps from Peppa Pig Theme Park. Built around the historic Cypress Gardens, this fascinating attraction offers a water park, a 4-D movie theater and, coming in January 2023, roller coasters including Pirate River Quest.
Its most recent addition, Pirate Island Hotel, is the first LEGO® pirate-themed
LOCK + LAND
lEGOlAND hOTEl SuNSET OvER DOwNTOwN cENTRAl flORiDA
hotel in North America and is located just steps away from the entrance to the park. This five-story hotel also houses the renowned Shipwreck Restaurant, Smuggler’s Bar, an entertainment area with kid-friendly nightly programming as well as LEGO® play areas.
If you’re looking to get outside for some family adventure, Florida’s Sweetest Spot has anything from water skiing and air boating to hiking, biking and kayaking – but that’s just the start.
For the dedicated golfer, playing a round at Streamsong Resort is a must. This award-winning destination is renowned for its three Top 100 U.S. courses. You will find Streamsong Black will push your irons to their limit, while Streamsong Blue and Red’s Mach 1 turf will test your putter with the fastest greens in the game.
There’s no place better than Florida’s Sweetest Spot. We can’t wait to see you and your family soon. Explore everything we have to offer at VisitCentralFlorida. com.
Top Experiences
Bonnet Springs Parks: Just outside downtown Lakeland is a newly opened natural refuge waiting to greet visitors. Bonnet Springs Park is 168 acres of peaceful and majestic green space with towering oak trees and a clear stream. In addition to its natural beauty, visitors can experience a botanical garden, children’s museum, a nature center, and many other attractions. bonnetspringspark.com
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ThE NEw PEPPA PiG ThEME PARK ThE NATuRAl bEAuTy Of bONNET SPRiNG PARK
STREAMSONG RESORT iS A GOlfiNG jEwEl
Streamsong Resort: Situated among 16,000 acres of stunning scenery and hushed seclusion away from the concrete and crowds, Streamsong’s three Top 100 U.S. courses make it one of the USA’s highest-rated golf destination.
This one-of-a-kind golf destination has been created in complete harmony with its natural surroundings. Golfers can stay in a modern lakeside lodge that features outstanding dining and a relaxing spa. streamsongresort.com
Westgate River Ranch Resort and
Rodeo: The largest dude ranch east of the Mississippi River, Westgate River Ranch, is an all-inclusive resort featuring glamping tents, RV campsites and luxe teepees. Visitors to this untouched area will enjoy airboat tours, golf, archery and a chance to experience a piece of Florida history, where the American cowboy tradition began. westgateresorts.com/hotels/florida/ river-ranch/westgate-river-ranch-resort
Peppa Pig Theme Park:
Central Florida’s newest theme park is now open and ready to entertain all the little piglets who want to play in the world of their favorite cartoon character. Rides and attractions are designed with the littlest ones in mind and parents will love seeing their faces light up as they explore. A splash pad, fun shows, a nature trail and so many other adventures await! peppapigthemepark.com/florida •
ThE All-iNcluSivE wESTGATE RivER RANch RESORT
Another world
Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex® Lands at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Guests to Gateway, with its focus on the present and future of collaborative space exploration, experience the interstellar travel of tomorrow while celebrating everything happening right now within the space programme.
Through immersive education, atmospheric effects and a motion theatre experience, they see, hear and feel what it’s like to travel in space.
Upon entering Gateway, ‘space travelers’ are greeted with a futuristic design intended to set the stage for their journey.
Visitors are surrounded by actual spaceflown artifacts, displayed like massive space sculptures in an outdoor garden, and full-scale models that are placed around the floor and suspended from above to allow 360-degree viewing.
Space flown artifacts
You can’t miss the flight-flown Orion spacecraft from Exploration Flight Test – 1 (EFT-1). Launched in 2014, this was the maiden voyage of the Lockheed Martin spacecraft. Learn about this mission and Orion’s key role in NASA’s Artemis missions. Interact with three screens to explore launch and liftoff, a comparison of the Orion to the Apollo capsule, training and flight preparation, navigation, key features and systems for the crew, and the path back to Earth.
Engaging interactives
SpaceX Falcon 9 booster, Gateway’s second floor has a 30-foot, floor-to-ceiling Robotic Trail Blazers Wall with interactive, touchscreen displays where guests hear all about 40 satellites and probes in space.
Learn about the high-powered James Webb Space Telescope by manipulating holographic imagery, video and animation through a touchscreen kiosk at a HoloTube presentation station.
Spaceport KSC
Nearby, guests will be transported into the future of space travel at Spaceport KSC, the first and only airport of the future.
Upon entering the concourse, guests will be surrounded by the sights and sounds of a galactic spaceport: atmospheric airport chatter surround travelers as they peer through windows at distant views of active launches and landings.
They will board their ‘spaceships’ – in the form of a two-story, motion theater ride – for one of four fabulous journeys: Cosmic Wonders, Daring Explorers, Red Planet or Uncharted Worlds. •
