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Highway 1…Big Sur…The Golden Gate Bridge…The Avenue of Giants…the High Sierras – California was practically made for road trippin’.

If you’ve ever imagined a California road trip you no doubt saw yourself and your friends in a convertible, top down, wind in your hair, shades on and smiles shining as brightly as the sun above.

But did you ever picture yourself taking in some of California’s majestic wine country? It’s easy to incorporate amazing wine regions into your route. And with the transport already sorted, it would just be rude not swing by at least one on your way. Check out these wine-oriented itineraries from the Wine Institute.

North Coast – The cooling breezes (or should we say winds) of the Pacific give the north the ideal climate for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Combine Sonoma County’s wine with San Fran, and Muir Woods National Park.

San Francisco Bay Area Take in the thrilling scenery and wine of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Livermore Called and Half Moon Bay and discover why San Francisco’s a foodie’s paradise.

Napa Valley to the High Sierras – We all know the name. Napa Valley has a reputation for exquisite Cabernet Sauvignons. But did you know you can also pamper yourself at a hot spring or take an adventurous bike tour?

Central Coast – Highway 1 has got to be the quintessential American road trip. The good news is you don’t have to stray too far from the picturesque coast to see Sideways country.

Southern California – Heading to Hollywood? There’s more to Southern California than beaches, augmented appearances and Hollywood stars. Wine making’s been taking place here since the 1700s!

Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…

(Image: John-Morgan)

About the author

Brett AckroydBrett hopes to one day reach the shores of far-flung Tristan da Cunha, the most remote of all the inhabited archipelagos on Earth…as to what he’ll do when he gets there, he hasn’t a clue. Over the last 10 years, London, New York, Cape Town and Pondicherry have all proudly been referred to as home. Now it’s Copenhagen’s turn, where he lends his travel expertise to momondo.com.

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