BEAUTY editor Tara Ledden gets up close and personal with giant Redwoods, samples refreshing wine, and tucks into American grub on California’s Golden Coast.
I have never hugged a tree before, but I can’t remember the last time I felt this calm.
My arms are stretched as wide as possible around one of the oldest living things in the world, but it’s so huge I’m barely hugging a quarter of it.
Hiking through the Armstrong Redwoods Natural Reserve is awe-inspiring and the 310m-tall Parson Jones Tree stands as high as The Shard in London.
Just a couple of hours’ drive north of San Francisco, I’m here exploring Sonoma County, which is home to more than 425 vineyards nestled among a whopping 1 million square miles of wild landscapes.
But for today, I’ve chosen an easy 1.7-mile trail.
Entry on foot is free, by car with parking is £8 (Parks.ca.gov).
It’s a scenic drive from the Redwoods to Bodega Bay and the winding cliff-top road dips to reveal sandy beaches and turquoise water along the way.
I might be in Northern California, but the jagged cliff faces make it feel like we’re driving through The OC title screens filmed 500 miles down the coast.
Within half an hour, I arrive at Fishetarian, a fish market and restaurant, where I devour prawn tacos with chipotle aioli, pico de gallo and green onions, £12.50, and an equally delicious, creamy clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, £10.50.
They also do great merch, and I regret not picking up a T-shirt before heading out (Fishetarianfishmarket.com).
I’m off to The Barlow, a quirky outdoor market with artisan boutiques like Acorn – where I splurge on a wooden vanity set, £28, for my niece, but leave an adorable test tube of mini lavender bath salts, £7, behind, worried they’ll be mistaken for contraband at customs (Acornshop.co).
Before dinner, I head over to the Golden State Cider Taproom to order a pint of its “champagne of ciders” – the Brut, £5.50.
Every refreshing sip lives up to the hype (Drinkgoldenstate.com).
My day ends with moreish fried chicken and bread-and-butter pickles, £9.50, and melt-in-the-mouth black cod with ginger rice and shishito peppers, £31, at Fern Bar (Fernbar.com).
It’s dark by the time I reach Flamingo Resort & Spa, a refurbed motel that wouldn’t look out of place in a Wes Anderson film, with delightfully retro rooms and an alfresco pool.
The next day starts with a sound bath and yoga class, free to guests, before I dig into hearty old-fashioned oatmeal with brown sugar, almonds, raisins, cranberries and cinnamon, £10.50.
No one visits Sonoma without hitting the vineyards, and Paradise Ridge Winery is less than a 15-minute drive away.
I sip sparkling rosé, £9.50 a glass, as I follow an impressive trail of sculptures – many of which began life at Burning Man festival – before joining a sunset tasting on the terrace, £27.50 per person.
I try a sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir and a blush rosé – which is a darker shade than my usual faves, but dangerously gluggable.
I then tuck into an artisanal cheese board with cured meats, £29, to soak it all up (Prwinery.com).
As the sun fades behind the vines, I decide I never want to leave.
The only decision to make is whether I want to be an artist or a sommelier…
Plan your trip at Visitcalifornia.com.
Double rooms at Flamingo Resort & Spa cost from £98 per night (Flamingo resort.com).
Return flights from the UK to San Francisco cost from £460.
