Balances of gentle climate and varied topography have helped Sonoma County forge a reputation as a year-round haven for outdoor recreation. Bicycling along quiet, wildflower-lined country roads, canoeing and kayaking on forest-lined rivers, and beachcombing are a few locally favorite pastimes.

For higher-octane fun, there's hot air ballooning, trapeze centers, ropes courses, skydiving and a world-class racetrack where visitors can experience what it's like to ride along with NASCAR.

Sonoma County's largely rural setting makes it perfect for relaxing, outdoors-oriented family vacations. Beyond the many state and regional parks and campgrounds, there are family-friendly restaurants and inns all across Sonoma County.

Charming cities and towns with historic plazas, unique shops, bakeries and restaurants, protected forest preserves, general stores, farms, natural hot springs and gardens cover Sonoma County's 1,600 square miles, a broad and eclectic panorama that is best viewed as distinct travel "appellations" or regions. Here's a quick tour of them.

Rustic Alexander Valley, stretching from Healdsburg north for more than 20 miles through Asti and Cloverdale and a portion of the Russian River, is one of the County's richest agricultural areas. Today's crop of choice is grapes, making Alexander Valley a great place for vineyard hopping and wine tasting at more than 30 wineries and more than 260 vineyards. Points of interest include the Jimtown Store, which opened in 1948, and today features 1940s and 1950s toys as well as a superb deli.

Named for the sheep that group in wooly white puffs against its grassy hills, Carneros is the southern gateway to Sonoma County, a grape-growing region of ethereal views. Goats too, can be seen grazing on the hills; the old Stornetta Dairy is where Laura Chenel makes her world famous goat cheese. Carneros climate is cool and a bay, a river, a creek and two mountain ranges form its boundaries.

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