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Recreation
Wild twists of
terrain, microclimates that range from mild in winter to dazzling in
spring, summer and fall, and a local priority on fun conspire to
create Sonoma County's winning environment for outdoor recreation.
Whether the
day is spent hiking or horseback riding on secluded trails through
wooded parks, cycling quiet back roads, camping within earshot of
the ocean's roar, paddling a canoe along the Russian River, teeing
it up in the redwoods, or any combination of the above -- Sonoma
County's perfect settings ensure a peak performance.
Parking It
Travelers who
climb out of their cars are richly rewarded at Sonoma County's state
and regional parks that offer excellent hiking, camping and
horseback riding in spectacular settings.
Hiking trails
lace the county from end to end. Many reveal spectacular sights,
such as those that explore Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve, while
others such as Jack London State Park take hikers back in time as
they explore the romantic ruins of the author's dream home. The Pomo
Canyon Trail goes from the Pomo Canyon Campground in Jenner to Shell
Beach. An ancient trading route of the Pomo and Miwok people, the
trail features redwood groves and spectacular panoramic vistas of
the Pacific Ocean. The round-trip hike takes about four hours.
Annadel State
Park near Santa Rosa has 5,000 acres of rolling hills, streams,
woodlands, and wildflower meadows. Annadel offers many miles of
trails for hiking, mountain biking and trail riding. Lake Ilsanjo
offers black bass and scrappy bluegill fishing. More than 100
species of birds throng Ledson's marsh including Cooper’s hawks,
great blue herons and the pileated woodpecker. Nearby Spring Lake
Regional Park offers swimming, fishing, boating and camping.
Sonoma County
has several outfitters offering horseback adventures. Riding gentle
horses through old-growth redwood forest, along pristine streams,
and across Pacific Ocean sand dunes reveals a wilder side of the
county's private and public parklands.
Hug A Big
Old Tree
 Huge
trees more than 2,000 years old thrive protected at Armstrong
Redwoods State Reserve. Visitors can navigate this forest of
towering coast redwoods -- some 300 feet tall -- along easy trails
by foot, bike or horse. Picnic facilities are available, and there's
an outdoor theater that's used for lectures and performances, as
well as weddings. The reserve is located just north of Guerneville.
Wild
rhododendrons erupt into breathtaking pink blossoms April through
June at the Kruse Rhododendron State Reserve on the rugged Sonoma
County coast. A short loop trail leads through 317 acres of
rhododendrons and second-growth redwood, Douglas fir and tan oak.
Coastal parks
offer opportunities for whale watching and tidepooling. Sonoma Coast
State Beach is actually a series of beaches separated by rocky
bluffs, stretching from Bodega Head to the Russian River. It is one
of the largest of California's state beaches, comprising more than
ten miles of coastland with beaches, reefs, coves, tidepools,
headlands and natural arches. There is a five-mile trail system in
the dunes for hiking and horseback riding.
Cycle Tours
Sonoma County
is a great place to ride a bike, with much to offer two-wheeled
travelers and enthusiasts alike. Some of the most beautiful aspects
of Sonoma County -- ridgetop panoramas, rugged ocean vistas, soaring
redwood forests, pastoral farm lanes -- are revealed along secluded
backroads, perfect for cycling. Bike through lush vineyards and
rolling countryside, through majestic redwood forest or along the
splendid Pacific coast. The pure oxygen of places like Coleman
Valley can heighten one's senses with each revolution of the pedals.
Bike touring
companies -- personal and friendly like everything else in the
county -- provide day trips (some with catered lunches prepared by
cycling chefs) as well as multi-day itineraries where vans carry the
gear and all guests have to do is pedal and enjoy. Excursions travel
to some of the most outstanding wineries through exceptionally
beautiful scenery. Helmets, new 21-speed bikes, spa treatments,
lodging at deluxe inns and bed & breakfasts, even transportation
home for your en-route shopping purchases are all provided.
Single-track
mountain biking trails crisscross the county with challenging
terrain and climbs for all skill levels. Annadel Regional Park is
the county's center for trail biking, while Shiloh Regional Park's
steep grades and rocky patches challenge off-road riders. West
County abounds with bike-friendly roads in and around Guerneville,
Petaluma and Sebastopol; cycling is a favorite pastime in the
Rohnert Park and Cloverdale areas as well.
Adventure Bike
Company offers day tours throughout Sonoma County such as their
popular Champagne & Redwoods Tour in the Russian River area, the Dry
Creek Valley Tour in Healdsburg, and custom bike tours for moderate
to advanced cycling enthusiasts. The company also rents bikes with
free delivery in Sonoma County.
Getaway
Adventures in Petaluma offers luxury style day trips, weekend
getaways, and four-day and six-day vacation packages throughout
Sonoma County including their signature Pedal 'n Paddle Trip
combining bicycling and kayaking.
On the
Water
 The
Russian River region has been a favorite resort recreation area for
San Francisco Bay Area residents for decades. Today its towns offer
old-fashioned charm as well as modern conveniences, and a host of
delightful ways to explore the Russian River.
Moving slowly
through vineyard, orchard and forest, the river offers the perfect
setting for a wine country canoe outing. In peak season, beach
resorts offer swimming and water sports. Canoes and kayaks can be
rented from outfitters at many riverside hamlets.
Enjoying the
river is not just for the hot summer months, either. The lower
Russian River, Estero de Americano, Laguna de Santa Rosa and Gualala
River offer flatwater kayaking at its finest, along waterways
teeming with wildlife, including but not limited to wildcats and
migratory waterfowl.
Moonlight
kayak excursions on the pristine Gualala are one of the wonderful
itineraries of Gualala river outfitter Adventure Rents. Expert
guides lead empowering kayak voyages for all abilities on the river,
which forms the northwestern boundary of Sonoma County.
The scenic
calm waters of the Jenner Estuary also offers great flatwater
kayaking where the Russian River flows into the beautiful Pacific
Ocean. Tour companies provide everything in user-friendly, safe
touring kayaks even for the inexperienced.
Lake Sonoma
offers secluded coves for the quiet boater or angler (the lake is
stocked), while water-skiing and jet skis are allowed in other
designated areas. Facilities include boat and canoe rentals, a
public boat ramp, full-service marina, swimming, a visitor center
and a fish hatchery. There's even wild boar and turkey hunts at
designated times of year.
Spring Lake
near Santa Rosa is open only to canoes, rowboats and sailboats, with
a separate lagoon for swimming. Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach
(along the Russian River) also offers outstanding swimming
facilities, and both are staffed with lifeguards from Memorial Day
through the Labor Day Weekend. Natural swimming areas, sandy
beaches, picnic facilities, rest rooms with showers, and concession
stands make these spots popular on hot summer days.
Watchable
Wildlife
The Russian
River meets the Pacific Ocean at Jenner, home to one of California’s
largest seal rookeries. The southern migration of the gray whale is
from October to February; the northern leg generally occurs from
February to April. Bodega Head is one of the finest whale-watching
sites on the North Coast, and year-round home to many kinds of
seabirds. These waters abound with osprey, heron, egret, cormorant,
harbor seals, and occasionally river otters.
Birdwatchers
know Sonoma County for its position directly on the path of the
Pacific Flyway. Migratory birds make year-round passes overhead,
alighting for their own "B&B" experiences in Sonoma County's rich
wetlands. Depending on the season, one can spot avocets, Virginia
rails, ruddy ducks, black necked stilts, greater yellowlegs and
more.
Near
Petaluma's Mrs. Grossman's Paper Company, the Petaluma River
wetlands habitat of Shollenberger Park offers hiking trails, bird
watching (more than 100 species), and docent-led tours. Just outside
of the town of Sonoma, the Viansa Wetlands can be viewed from the
winery's hilltop, or visitors who desire a closer view of the
wetlands' teaming wildlife can participate in tours conducted on
specified Saturday mornings, March through October. Tours include a
guided walk, informal talk on the history of the Carneros region,
video presentation on current preservation efforts and wine tasting.
Higher
Adventures
Sonoma County
offers a full slate of adrenaline-pumping sports activities too.
Sonoma's
Vintage Aircraft Company takes visitors on acrobatic bi-plane tours
that are not for the faint of heart. Spirits Up offers microlight
flights from Petaluma Airport that "rise above the ocean and fly
like a bird." Looking for a taste of unassisted flight?
Skydive
Cloverdale is where the vineyards meet the redwoods and a freefall
adventure can begin!
Trapeze
classes are held during the summer in a beautiful outdoor setting in
the town of Sonoma. Trapeze Arts, Inc. instruction is by
professional trapeze artists and open to adults and children.
Infineon Raceway, the site for a year-round calendar of motorsport
events including an annual NASCAR race, is also home to the Russell
Racing School, offering Highway Survival courses and escorted
high-performance rides around its circuit -- "hot laps" -- with
professional drivers. Go-kart rides are another activity offered at
Infineon.
Family Fun
Kids love to
be outdoors in family-first Sonoma County. Riverside beaches are
great for families during the summer. Kids can play and splash in
the water while parents relax. Canoes and kayaks can be rented for
an affordable day's fun on the river. Many outfits offer day tours
or provide a shuttle to collect you after a leisurely float down the
river.
Scale train
rides at Sonoma TrainTown, Rohnert Park's Scandia Family Fun Center
with miniature golf, Indy racing track, arcades, pony rides, and a
planetarium are some of the attractions with specific appeal to
families traveling in Sonoma County. For young animal lovers,
there's even llama ranches in Sebastopol and Bodega Bay, and opening
in August 2002, the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center --
Snoopy and the Peanuts gang's new home.
 The
Sonoma County Crushers play professional baseball (the minor league
version) at 4,140-seat Rohnert Park Stadium from May through August.
It's a great way to spend an afternoon in the sun and engage the
locals -- there's something about baseball that encourages
conversation!
More information is
also available at
www.sonomacounty.com |
