THREE CALIFORNIA GETAWAY RETREATS AND WORLD-FAMOUS WINE CRUSH REGIONS TO VISIT THIS HARVEST SEASON

As California vintners crush their exquisite grapes this harvest season, travelers from far and near may indulge their love affair with wine by combining the season with luxuriously relaxing stays at KSL Resorts’ managed properties, Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach and Silverado Resort and Spa. These three “home” bases are each close to some of California’s outstanding wine regions — Temecula Valley, Central Coast Wine Country, Napa Valley and Baja California’s Valle de Guadalupe.

Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina — Temecula Valley and Baja Wine Country Experiences

Located waterfront on San Diego’s Harbor Island, the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina is the perfect base to explore all San Diego has to offer, including amazing beaches and parks, world-famous attractions like the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park, outstanding water and outdoor activities and sports facilities. The guest rooms are contemporary and relaxing with balconies overlooking San Diego Bay. Guests love lounging poolside at the hotel’s lagoon pool. A well-equipped fitness center offers daily classes. Quinn’s Ale House is a favorite pub-style hangout to enjoy creative American cuisine with an emphasis on pristinely fresh seafood.

Wine buffs are close to Temecula Valley wine country and Baja California’s Valle de Guadalupe, a celebrated wine region. Guests who book the Sheraton San Diego Bed & Breakfast Package will enjoy a wonderful breakfast and then head off to tour and explore either Valle de Guadalupe Baja wine country where 90% of Mexican wine is produced or Temecula Valley Wine Country where perfect climate conditions make for growing premium grapes.

Suggested craft beer pairing while visiting: Quinn’s Ale House’s Baja Whitefish Ceviche with Salty Crew Blonde Ale from Baja MX or sip a favorite Baja wine.

Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach — Central Coast Wine Country Excursions

Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach, an Autograph Collection boutique hotel, is situated beachfront along Pismo Beach’s famous stretch of surf and sand adjacent to the city’s pier — midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. For outdoor recreation, guests enjoy long walks on the beach, nearby hiking, biking and horseback riding at Pismo Preserve, daily seaside well-being classes, nearby golf courses and the resort’s nighttime stargazing program. Pismo Pup Club welcomes pet dogs with special amenities, including toys, a dog-friendly beach and gathering spots for pups and owners.

Wine-loving visitors to Vespera Resort know it’s a great place to stay when they want to experience Central Coast Wine Excursions with its nearby proximity to the famed wine regions of Edna Valley and Paso Robles showcasing excellent wines from more than 100 wineries. Guests who book a stay at Vespera Resort receive a $100 credit at new Pequín Coastal Cocina, the signature restaurant that serves Mexican dishes that are familiar but deliver unexpected twists. Also, Vespera Resort has partnered with The Wine Wrangler offering an exclusive Wine Experience Tour when they use the code VESPERA. In addition, the resort’s Vespera Vintners Club offers exclusive winemaker dinners, complimentary wine tasting at the resort and discounted tastings at local wineries.

Suggested wine pairing while visiting: Pequín Coastal Cucina’s Dragonfruit Ceviche with Central Coast Chateau Domecq Chardonnay/Sauvignon Blanc Blend.

Silverado Resort and Spa — Napa Valley Wine Region

Tucked into the rolling hills of legendary Napa Valley, 150-year-old landmark Silverado Resort and Spa has been a AAA Four Diamond resort winner since 1976 and is conveniently located between San Francisco and Sacramento. It offers luxurious accommodations and amenities, two PGA championship golf courses, ten plexi-paved tennis courts, a 16,000-square-foot spa and fitness center with 30 fitness classes offered weekly, bike rentals, outdoor bocce ball courts and signature restaurant The Grill.

Wine aficionados enjoy proximity to over 400 Napa Valley wineries, and the resort’s Best of the Valley wine tastings on Saturdays feature exclusive, sommelier-led selections from highly respected local wineries. When visitors book the Napa Crush Package, they receive a bottle of Napa wine at check-in, $75 resort credit and up to 25% off the best available room rate.

Suggested wine pairing while visiting: The Grill’s signature burger paired with Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Stag’s Leap “Artemis.”

Wine County Journeys on Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner and Coastal Starlight

For ultimate, memorable California wine region discovery and stunning scenic pleasures, visitors should get their camera equipment packed and hop onto Amtrak’s Surfliner for a trip through picturesque wine country — San Luis Obispo to San Diego, 351 miles, five hours and 45 minutes. Or for a stellar journey, Amtrak’s Coastal Starlight goes from Seattle to Los Angeles passing through Portland, Sacramento, San Francisco Bay area and Santa Barbara. This once-in-a-lifetime experience offers the best of the Golden State — dramatic mountain vistas, lush forests, fertile valleys and long stretches of the spectacular Pacific Ocean — 35 hours.

To book resorts and wine experiences, please visit my.crushcalifornia.com.