By The Wayfarer
Explore the Yolo: Vineyards, Farms & Cultural Gems Tour
If you’re looking for a destination that feels real—where you can sip a glass of wine beside the vineyard it came from, buy peaches from the farmer who picked them, and stroll a small-town main street without tripping over selfie sticks—Yolo County, CA is calling.
Just a short drive from Sacramento and often bypassed for bigger names like Napa or Sonoma, Yolo County is where Northern California slows down. This is where you find wildflower-lined highways, family-run tasting rooms, and towns that still wave to strangers.
Here’s your guide to the most rewarding, rooted, and relaxing things to do in Yolo County, CA—plus a self-guided audio tour that brings it all to life.
1. Start with the Yolo: Vineyards, Farms & Cultural Gems Audio Tour
Want to experience the best of Yolo without planning every stop? Begin your journey with the Yolo: Vineyards, Farms & Cultural Gems tour—a self-guided, GPS-triggered audio drive that takes you through farmland, foothills, and town squares.
The tour covers:
- Wine tastings at under-the-radar vineyards
- Lavender fields and olive oil tastings
- Roadside orchards and scenic river routes
- Local history from indigenous roots to farm-to-fork revolution
You’ll move at your own pace while hearing stories from real farmers, winemakers, and local voices that make the place feel personal.
Whether you’re coming from Sacramento, the Bay Area, or Davis, this is one of the most accessible and meaningful ways to spend a half-day—or a whole weekend.
Start your Yolo audio adventure here.
2. Tour the Wineries—No Reservation Required
Yolo County wine country offers what Napa used to: laid-back tastings, friendly winemakers, and scenic spots without the fuss.
Favorites include:
- Great Bear Vineyards (Davis): Elegant grounds and small-lot wines with occasional live music and picnics.
- Turkovich Family Wines (Winters): Exceptional reds and a cheese company to match.
- Capay Valley Vineyards (Brooks): Tucked away in a rustic valley, perfect for a peaceful pour.
Most wineries are open Friday–Sunday and don’t require advance bookings, though it’s always good to call ahead during harvest season.
3. Visit Capay Valley Lavender (May–July)
If your trip falls in late spring or early summer, make time for a visit to Capay Valley Lavender near Esparto. The rows of purple blooms are breathtaking, and the scent alone is worth the drive.
You can:
- Walk through the fields
- Shop for lavender soaps, teas, and oils
- Watch distillation demonstrations during special events
This is one of those places that photographs beautifully but feels even better in person.
4. Explore the Town of Winters
With a revitalized downtown, walkable streets, and creekside trails, Winters punches way above its population.
Top things to do:
- Eat at Preserve or Putah Creek Café
- Wine taste or enjoy a flight of local beer at Hooby’s Brewing
- Stroll the Putah Creek Nature Trail
- Shop for local goods and vintage finds
Spend a few hours here and you’ll understand why so many people turn a stop in Winters into an overnight stay. (Pro tip: Hotel Winters is a boutique stay that nails both charm and comfort.)
5. Walk Through History in Woodland
Woodland is Yolo’s largest town and its cultural heart, especially if you love history, theater, or classic architecture.
What to see:
- The California Agriculture Museum: Home to antique tractors and a rich story of farming innovation.
- Woodland Opera House: Restored and still active with performances.
- Downtown Woodland: Packed with local restaurants, wine bars, coffee shops, and antique stores.
Try dinner at Morgan’s on Main, followed by a cocktail at Father Paddy’s Irish Pub, built inside a historic bank building.
6. Paddle Cache Creek or Picnic Along the Water
When the weather’s warm and the water’s flowing, Cache Creek becomes the go-to for kayaking, tubing, and riverside relaxing. Access points are scattered between Esparto and Brooks, and the scenery—especially in spring—is hard to beat.
Even if you’re not paddling, bring a picnic and spend time on the banks. It’s one of Yolo’s best-kept secrets.
7. Experience Davis Like a Local
Davis is known for UC Davis and its famously bike-friendly layout, but don’t sleep on its small-town joys:
- Walk or bike the UC Davis Arboretum
- Browse the Davis Farmers Market (Saturday morning, Wednesday evening)
- Visit Great Bear Vineyards, right on the edge of town
- Shop indie bookstores, grab coffee at Mishka’s, or explore local art galleries
Davis is a perfect gateway into the rest of Yolo County—and often overlooked as a destination in its own right.
Final Word
Yolo County isn’t a place that screams for your attention. It doesn’t need to. Its strength is in its quiet: its real people, its open spaces, and its deep roots in both history and land.
Whether you’re tasting wine, driving through golden hills, or talking to a farmer at a roadside stand, you’re not just visiting. You’re reconnecting.
So slow down. Roll down the windows. And let the Yolo: Vineyards, Farms & Cultural Gems tour guide you into the best kind of travel: the kind that listens.
Because in Yolo County, CA, the story is in the soil—and the adventure is in how you choose to follow it.
by xotatech.com