REDS AND REDWOODS: Surely there are many places to drink wine on old-timey trains, but few places seem to do it as stylishly as California. Maybe it has to do with a lot of those trains winding through redwoods -- hi, Skunk Train -- and that tall trees and the shadows they cast just lend a romantic aura to the day out. (We'd gladly loan a few of those California redwoods to other places, of course, if we could, but we would definitely need 'em back.) A classic wine-meets-rails day is just ahead, too, at Roaring Camp Railroad. It's the Santa Cruz Wineries Mountain Express, and it is choo-choo-ing on Sunday, May 15.
WHITES AND WHENS: The train leaves at 1:30 p.m., but you'll want to be there earlier. And you'll want to be ready to try a bevy of local tastes; some 70 or so wines will be on the pour. And our favorite part? "Well behaved dogs on leash" are invited. Trains, wine, and dogs? Yeah. This is like the perfect combo for many people. An advance admission is $55. We say get your ticket ahead of time and then spend all week daydreaming (oh, and prepping your pup for his or her big train ride, too).
ADDITIONAL NOTE: This event is sold out, but the growers' association points interested parties to the Vintners' Festival, which will take place on Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5 around Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, and San Mateo Counties. Get details now.
