Accompanying persons registration includes the Opening Reception, breakfast and lunches at the Doubletree Monday through Friday, evening transportation to Santa Rosa if there is no Conference reception or dinner, the Conference Excursion (excluding the surcharge for the Russian River Canoe trip), and the Conference Banquet.
We have organized a number of tours especially for the ICAVS-6 Accompanying Persons Program. Local public transportation is very limited and the sites to be visited are spread out across the county, which is 1,575 square miles or 4,080 square kilometers in area. Vehicles have been reserved for the tours, but if an insufficient number of people signs up, the tours will be canceled.
The cost of these tours is based on the transportation costs and the costs necessary to pay the venues or docents. We are not making any profit on the tours, and we have cut our costs as much as possible. There are commercial tours available and most cost $150 or more.
Tours on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday will depart the Doubletree Hotel at 9:00 am and should return to the Doubletree Hotel between 3:30 and 4:30 in the afternoon. Box lunches will be provided for accompanying persons registered with the Conference.
The Wednesday morning tour will leave at 9:00 am and return by 12:00 noon. Lunch will be provided during the afternoon Conference excursion, which starts at 12:30 pm.
Come for a guided nature walk along coastal bluffs and learn about the geography and local wildlife. Visit an old logging community and see its art galleries and shops. Tour a butterfly garden and hear about habitat preservation and wildlife gardening.
Note: We advise wearing trousers for this tour.
There will be NO SWIMMING OR WADING! Northern California beaches have cold water, dangerous currents, and rogue waves.
Learn about Spanish mission settlements in 18th century California, tour historic buildings in Sonoma and hear about the birth of American California, or shop in boutiques around Sonoma town square. Tour a local winery and sample the wines. Visit the ranch home of a famous author and adventurer.
Tour the home and workshop of Luther Burbank, world famous plant breeder. Visit the Charles Schulz Museum to hear about the career and art of the beloved creator of the Peanuts comic strip (which was published in newspapers in over 100 countries).
Visit the Petaluma Historic Museum, hear about Petaluma's role in the Gold Rush and tour the historic Victorian District which survived the earthquake. Browse in antique shops or visit the Seed Bank for "heirloom plant" seeds. Visit a local creamery to sample gourmet cheese and watch it being made, and tour a honey farm or local rose nursery and garden.
For people who do not wish to participate in the excursions, the hotel has excellent facilities for swimming, tennis, and golf.