This was a memorable trip. We were originally slated to visit in late June before my birthday but…read moreboth Deb and Kirk were recovering from surgery. We stayed in touch over the next several weeks before settling on an August date. We braved the high temps and winding roads to arrive at the ranch. It's a beautiful space on a hillside and you can see the herd and their guardian llama as you pull into the parking lot. We learned a lot about the alpaca life cycle, fed the boys, and my daughter got to hold and carry a cria. We bought two cute alpaca shaped soaps. I didn't experience any of the negativity others have complained about. It is a working ranch so it's not a petting zoo or a tourist attraction. Go with the flow and you'll have a great experience.

Ive been here a total 3x and its been a great experience. Id totally recommend coming here for the…read moreexperience and knowledge. Such little cuties there

This was a VERY FUN DAY !!! This balloon trip was an Anniversary Gift from our kids. Originally I…read morewas not too sure and something that I would not have planned to do !! However it turned out to be VERY FUN DAY !!!

I give it a 4.5. We had to arrive super early and wait for them to set up everything. It was cold…read moreoutside and they did provide coffee, hot chocolate and snacks. We the weather being so unpredictable we had to wait. I was fine with wait because i do value my life. I had the chance to cross off a major item from my bucket list. A hot air balloon ride and wow, what an experience! The views were absolutely breathtaking. Floating high above the landscape, seeing everything from a completely new perspective, was truly magical. The sunrise was especially beautiful as we drifted along, and the silence up there, broken only by the loud occasional burst of the burner, was unlike anything I've ever experienced. That said, there were a few things to consider. The heat from the burner can be overwhelming, especially if you're not prepared for it. I didn't wear a hat, and I really wish I had and i am short 5'2 those blasts of hot air can get pretty intense when they hit you directly! So, if you're planning this trip, definitely bring something to cover your head. The landing was a bit of a wild ride, too. The ground was much harder and more uneven than I expected, and we didn't quite know where we'd land until we were almost on top of it. Also getting in and out can be extremely challenging. It's hard climbing into and out of the basket and it's very tightly packed. Not a lot of space to move. I knew the risks going in but the whole experience was so worth it. Even with those little surprises, it was absolutely incredible. Would I do it again? Definitely not! Despite the heat and the bumpy landing, the beauty of the experience makes it all worthwhile and a one timer for me. I highly recommend it if you're looking for something unique and unforgettable to add to your list of adventures. Just don't forget your hat!

Lots of details about this interesting corner of the Bay Area provided by our guide Dan G. He was a…read morewealth of information, pretty funny and as a local was able to share a lot of perspective on the islands changes. Great day trip and I wish we had more time to poke around.

Wonderful tour led by Jim. History + nature! A great morning spent on the island…read more For people who are looking to visit the Naval Museum on the island, it is no longer open, but this tour is operative and you get to see the naval chapel and walk around the area. I was originally looking for information about the museum and arrived at this page: https://www.mihpf.org/tours. I hope this will help you find their tour options and dates! All digitalized, no fuss. And it turns out I was the only who signed up for today's tour, and they did not cancel on me because of that. I really really appreciated it. One last thing, the money you spend on the tour goes into helping this foundation : ) Yay!

4.4 stars We all…read moreknow some of his famous quotes: "The mountains are calling and I must go." "Going to the mountains is going home." "One touch of nature makes the whole world kin." According to Brittanica, John Muir was largely responsible for the establishment of Sequoia National Park and Yosemite National Park. Muir was a preservationist that didn't agree with allowing industries to harvest resources within the national parks. He was able to swing public and congressional opinion in favor of national forest reservations through his writing, which led to the establishment of Mt. Rainier National Park in 1899 and Grand Canyon National Park in 1919. His home became John Muir National Historic Site in 1964. Much of the exhibits within the home discusses his personal life and achievements. He was the eldest of 8 children, immigrated to the U.S. in 1849, and he married Louie Wanda Strentzel in 1880. He and his wife had 2 daughters named Wanda and Helen. In his lifetime, he has written 300 articles and 10 books, which can be purchased online and at Muir Woods National Monument and Bear Valley Visitor's Center. I highly recommend visiting this site if you'd like more information :) there's a lot more details here.

John Muir lived right here in Martinez! I have been here…read moretoo many times to count. It is open every day, and free to visit!! John Muir was a very interesting man. His life story better told here and online than by me. I definitely recommend a visit! 5 stars for sure

Holiday train review - Absolutely spectacular and warm heartening experience for our 3 and 4 year…read moreold girls! I don't know what other low rating patrons are expecting... fireworks? High class service? Jazz band playing in every train car with speakers interconnected? We came expecting nothing and ended up having an incredible experience with beautiful decorations well suited for a sweet, memorable Christmas train experience. Online reservations were simple, easy to obtain, and a lot more affordable compared to the exorbant Polar Express tickets. We're extremely happy that we chose this over Sacramento's Polar Express. It's obvious that their staff spent a lot of time putting work into the trains inner and outter decor - beautiful and creative! Parents and adults FYI - on your way to your reserved train car, there's a small bar after boarding the train. It's very important to load up on your magic drinks before heading to your seat. (Drinks.. not drink! But drink responsibly, of course.) Parking isn't far and although limited, it shouldn't be a problem with reservations handled appropriately. We sang a few Christmas songs with the elves, threw snowballs at the grinch (best part, IMO), met Santa, and had a little fun at Santa's (little) village after the ride. Every sip of their hot cocoa (included with your tickets) was warming and delicious, perfect for cold weather. Couple of cookies came along with it, perfect for our kids to snack on. Overall, this was an incredible experience for our kids! Service was fantastic, ambiance was very jolly and felt like home, staff members are very friendly, and the experience is fantastic for all occasions - family, friends, and dates! The memories are ever lasting and hopefully it becomes a core memory that lasts a lifetime. Highly recommended to experience, at least once, for your little loved ones. We'll be back next year!

We were NEVER SERVED ANY FOOD during our 2-hour Tea Train and could barely get water…read more About 30 minutes after boarding we were given hot water but no tea bags. We eventually found our own. Refills of hot water, cream, and drinking water required chasing down staff. After 45 minutes we began asking where the food was, while people in another section of the car had already ordered and eaten their meals. Staff kept saying the food would come "soon." It never did. At 1 hour 45 minutes the staff disappeared, and the train returned to the station at 2 hours. No food and no explanation. I had to insist on speaking with a manager and got a refund. I still don't understand how this could happen.

Had a great experience for a Bachelor's trip. I was only able to book up to 4 ATVs online, but they…read morewere more than happy to house a party of 7 when I called in to book it. Travis was our guide and we all loved him. We went for the easy difficulty since it was all of our first times. Initially, it was a slow start and a little boring, but things started to rev up 5-10 minutes as Travis kind of saw how we were keeping up. At the end, our friend in front (behind Travis) was completely caked with mud, which was hilarious to us. It rained the day before, so it made sense why. The rest of us had specs of mud on us and it was easy to clean/wipe off. Overall, it was a great experience. Would love to return one day with a higher difficulty.

i loved every second of this tour. I went with me and my dad for 2 hours. our tour guide, Travis,…read morewas excellent, and helped me, who was a complete beginner, learn how to use the controls and everything essential for the journey, and going up some of the hills had great views with many photo opportunities. I would definitely recommend this tour if you would like a well guided experienced that goes at your own pace. You do not have to go on any part you dont want to, also, which is nice. This tour has definitely made me more interested into offroad vehicles, thanks to this amazing experience and tour guide.

We met Tanya downtown at the river walk and she set us up with a Fagan Marsh kayak trip the next…read moreday. Loved talking with Drew beforehand, learning about wetland restoration efforts and how quickly nature can rebound. The slough was peaceful and sparkling on this sunny October afternoon. We observed cranes and fish nibbling at surface snacks. In the distance, you can see Mount Tam and a bit closer--the Brazos railroad bridge. While there is much to see and do in Napa, this experience at the end of our trip was a definite highlight.

Effortless, expert, and incredibly warm service. Upon our early arrival, we found our tandem kayak…read moreprepared and waiting for us, a delightful surprise. Although my 6-year-old son was initially apprehensive about the journey, the reassuring and supportive words from the team quickly eased his nerves, leading us to a fantastic river escapade. We will certainly return for another expedition in search of pirates, alligators, river dolphins, and colossal underwater spiders. :)

Such a wonderful experience! The guides were so attentive and funny, which really helped keep any…read morenerves at ease. The views were beautiful, and everything felt well-paced from start to finish. The whole experience lasted about 2.5 hours and included 7 zip lines, which was such a fun adventure. The location can be a bit tricky to find, so I'd recommend giving yourself extra time and arriving at least 30 minutes before your scheduled tour, as they suggest.

We stayed in the treehouses and had two Zipline adventures. The staff was amazing. From start to…read morefinish every one of our were met. The zipline guides were so friendly and knowledgeable. I brought my 10-year-old granddaughter for her birthday and they treated her careful consideration of her age and her inexperience. They made her feel comfortable and fun for her. I can't say enough about the Treehouse~I was like a 4 star hotel . Absolutely everything you needed to be comfortable and safe. They were beautiful and safe in a pristine situated in a redwood grove . The meals were over the top, deliciously prepared with fresh and quality ingredients. We celebrated my granddaughter's 10th birthday and had the best time from start to finish. I highly recommend a trip to Sonoma Canopy ~ a beautiful adventure I won't forget!

beyond wonderful! well cared for, energized horses are super fun to ride. the vineyard trails are a…read moredream. we celebrated a fun ladies' birthday ride followed by lunch at Girl & the fig. doesn't get any better!

AMAZING experience!!! The ride was beautiful and so fun! The team was incredibly sweet and shared…read moreso many fun facts throughout the way! And took so many pics too! We definitely had a time...The horses couldn't be cuter as well and Raven their dog is SO SWEET!!! would do it again 10000 times

Nestled in the shadows of Shell Oil and located along the Carquinez Straits Shoreline, Martinez is…read morepleasant city that has maintained its small town charm. With a diversity of home styles it is a great place to have a home tour and show that Martinez is more than a refinery town or the County Seat. L & I purchased our tickets as soon as they were available at one of the many events on Main Street. This was the third annual tour, with the proceeds benefiting the Historical Society. The architectural designs of the homes on this year's tour included Victorians, an early 1900 craftsmen style home, some 1920's & 1930's bungalows, and a Tudor home. What I like about this tour and why it is a five star event The diversity of home styles A well written guide book that tells about the history of the home and the people of Martinez All the homes had wonderful high end classic cars, like a 1930 something Pierce Arrow, parked in front of them. The other cars were also very impressive. I walk by one house twice and the 1930 something Cadillac parked in front of it was surround by admirers. These beautiful cars don't show up at most car shows. The docents stationed in the homes all were dressed in the period style of when the home was built. And perhaps the best thing about this tour is even thought the homes are showplaces, at least on the day of the tour, I could see myself living in most of them.

The upcoming 2012 Martinez Home Tour will take place on Saturday October 13th. The 7 private homes…read morewill be located within walking distance of each other -- although a shuttle service will be available every 10 minutes. This is a very interesting event because it has antique cars, displays, exhibits, period demonstrations and musicians that are mixed in with the homes. This year, there will also be 4 "points of interest" on the Tour -- all located in the same area as the homes. The points of interest include the brass and stone monument that identifies the spot where the Martini was invented. Also the "doll hospital" where vintage dolls are repaired, new dolls are manufactured and doll making classes are taught. Also City Hall -- with a docent on duty to explain that the building began life in 1917 as a school to accomodate the influx of children into town as the new Shell Refinery began operating. The Shell Clubhouse is the starting point for the Tour. Its Arts & Crafts interior will be filled with displays and exhibits. Then there are four museums which will be open during the tour: The Shell Oil Museum, the Martinez Museum, the John Muir Mansion and the Martinez Adobe.