Sun city: Hopland (pop. 1,756) uses the most solar power per capita in the world.
Where is it? Right off of U.S. 101, tucked into the hills of southern Mendocino County.
Best time to visit: Late April, when the Solar Living Institute throws its Earth Day bash (free; 13771 South U.S. 101; solarliving.org), complete with live music, garden demos, and organic food-wine pairings.
For a quick run-through: Check out the tipi, power-generating bikes, and vintage cars turned tree planters on a free guided tour.
The vibe: Floppy-hatted Sierra Clubbers and in-the-know day-trippers taking advantage of the 12 lush acres of primo picnic space and on-site winery.
Mmm, what’s that ... ? The center’s biofuel pump is filled with veggie oil recycled from nearby restaurants. So that really is french fries and tempura you smell.
Get centered: The Central Oasis, located near the Solar Living Institute’s Real Goods Store, is a tree-shaded picnic area with a pond that serves a higher purpose: The trickle of water from the pond and connecting waterways mums the hum of cars zooming by on the adjacent U.S. 101, and a combo of algae-eating fish and plants keeps the pond healthy and clean.
Boost your DIY IQ: The institute’s famous green curriculum offers about two dozen courses, ranging from growing your own mushrooms to biodiesel brewing. Find yourself wanting to raise goats, then turn their milk into cheese, yogurt, even soap? This is your place. Classes from $35; solarliving.org/courses/by-category
Green grocer: The Real Goods Store calls itself the “Greenest Store in the Universe,” and we’d roll our eyes if the building weren’t made from straw bales, or the goods weren’t Mother Nature–approved: hand-crank blenders, water-powered radios. The store also has loaner picnic blankets and vegan munchables. 13771 South U.S. 101; 707/472-2403.
Glass of Cab, hold the carbon: Ukiah-based Parducci Wine Cellars recently opened a tasting room in the Real Goods Store, an appropriate place for the first carbon-neutral winery in the country. That the grape growers feed their tractors biofuel, or that the winery runs on solar and wind power deserves a toast. Our pick: the citrusy Sustainable White, a feel-good blend of five grapes, including Chenin Blanc and Muscat. $5 tasting; parducci.com
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