The Chosen Spot - Sonoma County
Carmen Kozlowski carried a pot from her house to the farm store.
As she passed, the grandmotherly figure stopped and chatted easily with visitors to her farm while they enjoyed a picnic lunch.
Soon, the discussion about the genial winter day got around to how the Kozlowski Farm had become a travel destination.
Like many other California farms, ranches, orchards and vineyards, the Kozlowski Farm in Sonoma County didn't start out to be a tourist attraction, but economics and a taste for homemade products fresh from the farm transformed it into one of the state's best places to stop.
Today, the Kozlowski Farm, situated on the "Gravenstein Highway" (State Route 116) just south of Forestville, is a "must" stop for travelers from far and near who are dazzled by over 100 tantalizing concoctions lining shelves within the farm's barn-red retail store.
They carry home treasured jars of Raspberry & Roasted Chipotle Sauce, Red Raspberry Vinegar, Red Raspberry Fudge Sauce, Red Raspberry Syrup, California Style BBQ Sauce and Strawberry-n-Rhubarb Preserve.
These aren't the usual condiments one buys at your neighborhood market, but then agritourism succeeds because it leads travelers to fresh flavors and wholesome experiences that can only be found on the farm.
Of all the agritourism destinations in California, Sonoma County is the organic original.
"We were sending people to the farm even before there was agritourism.
" says Jayne Burns of Sonoma County Farm Trails, an association that was established in 1973 long before the term agritourism was coined.
The self-funded association of 183 members produce just about anything you can imagine can be raised or grown, including produce, cheese, flowers, meat, poultry and wine.
The association's Farm Trails Map & Guide (available online andat local visitor centers) is essential to visiting Sonoma County's farms, as it color codes them by type of experience and includes contact information and hours/seasons of operation.
Many of the farms also post a distinctive Farm Trails sign, though not always prominently.
There are about 15 similar farm trails in California.
Most are themed or centered about the predominant crop in a given area, including several apple growing districts, where sales of home-baked apple pies and pastries are popular.
It is useful to check ahead to see what they're offering when you plan to visit, as some operate only during harvest...
As she passed, the grandmotherly figure stopped and chatted easily with visitors to her farm while they enjoyed a picnic lunch.
Soon, the discussion about the genial winter day got around to how the Kozlowski Farm had become a travel destination.
Like many other California farms, ranches, orchards and vineyards, the Kozlowski Farm in Sonoma County didn't start out to be a tourist attraction, but economics and a taste for homemade products fresh from the farm transformed it into one of the state's best places to stop.
Today, the Kozlowski Farm, situated on the "Gravenstein Highway" (State Route 116) just south of Forestville, is a "must" stop for travelers from far and near who are dazzled by over 100 tantalizing concoctions lining shelves within the farm's barn-red retail store.
They carry home treasured jars of Raspberry & Roasted Chipotle Sauce, Red Raspberry Vinegar, Red Raspberry Fudge Sauce, Red Raspberry Syrup, California Style BBQ Sauce and Strawberry-n-Rhubarb Preserve.
These aren't the usual condiments one buys at your neighborhood market, but then agritourism succeeds because it leads travelers to fresh flavors and wholesome experiences that can only be found on the farm.
Of all the agritourism destinations in California, Sonoma County is the organic original.
"We were sending people to the farm even before there was agritourism.
" says Jayne Burns of Sonoma County Farm Trails, an association that was established in 1973 long before the term agritourism was coined.
The self-funded association of 183 members produce just about anything you can imagine can be raised or grown, including produce, cheese, flowers, meat, poultry and wine.
The association's Farm Trails Map & Guide (available online andat local visitor centers) is essential to visiting Sonoma County's farms, as it color codes them by type of experience and includes contact information and hours/seasons of operation.
Many of the farms also post a distinctive Farm Trails sign, though not always prominently.
There are about 15 similar farm trails in California.
Most are themed or centered about the predominant crop in a given area, including several apple growing districts, where sales of home-baked apple pies and pastries are popular.
It is useful to check ahead to see what they're offering when you plan to visit, as some operate only during harvest...
