Sonoma County Recreation

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Northern California is stunning. Its vast and varied terrain provides not only beautiful views but a plethora of excellent recreational areas from which to choose if you're planning on spending some time in the great outdoors. Sonoma recreation can be enjoyed in a number of places - from excellent beaches to abundant state and regional parks where you can enjoy hiking, camping, and a list of other Sonoma outdoor activities.

Beaches

If you're traveling up or down scenic Highway 1 on the breathtaking Northern California coast, there are a number of Sonoma beaches at which you can make a stop. Though the ocean is a bit chilly for swimming, you can still enjoy the views as well as other outdoor pursuits.

Consider the charming coastal village of Bodega Bay, home to many of the county's working-class fishermen. Bodega Bay is quite a popular spot for both locals and visitors. Head to Salmon Beach, a favorite with families; Goat Rock, the first choice for kayakers; or romantic Portuguese Beach, with its steep interior cliffs. Doran Regional Park also boasts 2 miles of pretty beaches.

Black Point, Bluff Top Trail, Pebble Beach, Stengal Beach, Shell Beach and Walk on Beach are among the beaches accessible from the Sea Ranch development, so if you're renting there, you can enjoy photography, hiking, or even horseback riding along the beach.

The coastal town of Jenner and its surrounds also boast some fine beaches, and from the ones in Fort Ross Historic Park - North Cove and Sandy Beach - you can do a little whale watching.

Sonoma Parks

Sonoma boasts a huge amount of open land, much of which has been turned into parks for visitors to enjoy. Sonoma hiking trails are prevalent through many of the parks and you'll also find space for cycling or horseback riding in many locations.

Sonoma State Parks include beautiful Sugarloaf Ridge in Kenwood, where you'll find the headwaters of the Sonoma Creek. This park has 25-miles of hiking and horseback riding trails. Similarly, Annadel State Park in eastern Santa Rosa offers trails for hiking, mountain biking, and trail riding. You can also fish for black bass in Lake Ilsanjo. Coastal Salt Point State Park offers 20 miles of hiking trails, 6 miles of breathtaking coastline, and an underwater park. Camping is popular here as well.

There are also three State Historic Parks: Jack London, Petaluma Adobe, and Sonoma. These provide not only open space but also some insight into California state history.

Camping

Camping in Sonoma is really quite easy to find if you plan ahead. Sonoma County is a wonderful place for camping, be it along the coast or in one of the pristine state parks.

Camping is available in Sugarloaf, Annadel, and Salt Point as well as in a handful of regional parks including Doran Park and Westside Park (Bodega Bay), Gualala Point (Sea Ranch), Spring Lake (Santa Rosa), and Stillwater Cove (Jenner). All parks have limited space so try to make reservations if possible during peak times.

You'll also find a few RV parks scattered throughout the county including in the towns of Healdsburg, Bodega Bay, Cloverdale, Petaluma, and Rohnert Park.

Recreation in Sonoma County

Your Page Results : 51 listings found

Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park

Location : Petaluma CA
Type : Historic Park
Phone: 707-762-4871
Description : Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park was the main residence of Rancho Petaluma, the agricultural empire that General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo one of the most powerful men in the Mexican Province of California from 1834 to 1846.

Fort Ross Historic Park

Location : Jenner CA
Type : Historic Park
Phone: 707-847-3286
Description : Fort Ross was a thriving Russian-American Company settlement from 1812 to 1841. This commercial company chartered by Russia's tsarist government controlled all Russian exploration, trade and settlement in the North Pacific, and established permanent settlements in Alaska and California.

Lake Sonoma Recreation Area

Location : Geyserville CA
Type : Lakes
Phone: 707-431-4534
Description : Located in the beautiful coastal foothills of Northern California is Lake Sonoma. Lake Sonoma is surrounded by Sonoma County vineyards and land rich in history. This provides the perfect setting for a wealth of recreation activities.

Sonoma County Regional Parks Headquarters

Location : Santa Rosa CA
Phone: 707-565-2041
Description : Take some time to relax and have fun. The Sonoma County Regional Parks Department provides outstanding recreational opportunities. Fishing, camping, swimming, picnicking, trails for horseback riding, hiking or bicycling, quiet coves, sandy beaches, inspiring views, redwood groves, meadows dotted with oaks, sports fields; we've got it all!

Jack London Historic Park

Location : Glen Ellen CA
Type : Historic Park
Phone: 707-938-5216
Description : Jack London State Historic Park is a memorial to writer and adventurer Jack London, who made his home at the site from 1905 until his death in 1916. The park was once part of the famous writer’s Beauty Ranch.

Sonoma Historic Park

Location : Sonoma CA
Type : Historic Park
Phone: 707-938-9560
Description : Unlike most parks with a single plot of land and a continuous boundary, Sonoma State Historic Park is a scattering of historical attractions consisting of six midtown locations near Sonoma's Plaza.

Salt Point State Beach Park

Location : Cazadero CA
Type : Beaches
Phone: 707-847-3221

Spud Point Marina

Location : Bodega Bay CA
Type : Beaches
Phone: 707-875-3535
Description : The Marina features electrical hookups, storage box and water at each berth. During periods of heavy use, the Marina can accommodate more vessels by rafting to others. Shopping and motels are nearby.

Gualala Point Regional Park Visitors Center

Location : Sea Ranch CA
Type : Beaches
Phone: 707-785-2377
Description : The 195 acre park has open meadows mixed with coastal forest. The park contains a campground, trail system, Visitors Center, coastal vistas, and sandy beaches. The park is located adjacent to the Gualala River, which offers limited seasonal fishing. Please check current regulations.

Bothe-Napa Valley State Park

Location : Santa Rosa CA
Type : Forest
Phone: 707-942-4575
Description : Daytime visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll in Ritchey Canyon on the Redwood Trail to view the delicate ferns and listen to the water splashing down the rocky creekbed. Bring your wine and cheese and picnic under the towering Douglas Firs.

Spring Lake Regional Park

Location : Santa Rosa CA
Type : Beaches
Phone: 707-539-8092
Description : This 320 acre park features camping, fishing, picnic areas with barbecues, and four group picnic areas. Trails are available for walking, hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. The park includes a 3 acre swimming lagoon and a 72-acre lake. Don't forget to visit the Visitors Center at Spring Lake for a wonderful all-age educational experience.

Doran Beach Regional Park

Location : Bodega Bay CA
Type : Beaches
Phone: 707-875-3540
Description : Doran Park has a 2-mile stretch of sandy beach and is a popular place for visitors to picnic, build sand castles, fly kites, surf, fish and stroll. A rock jetty at the harbor mouth provides access for fishing, crabbing and exploring sea life. The boat launch can accommodate up to 20-foot boats. A parking lot is located adjacent to the launch and can handle 30 vehicles with trailers.

Armstrong Redwoods Reserve

Location : Guerneville CA
Type : Preserve
Phone: 707-865-2391
Description : The reserve includes a visitor center, large outdoor amphitheater, self-guided nature trails, and a variety of picnic facilities. While you can drive into the park, the best way to experience the dramatic affect of the towering redwoods, is to park in the lot at the park entrance and walk in for free. All of the main park features are found along the Pioneer Nature Trail. This trail is a mile and a half long round trip, mostly flat and level with one set of steps.

Austin Creek Recreation Area

Location : Guerneville CA
Type : Recreation Areas
Phone: 707-865-2391
Description : paradise for the hiker and equestrian, Austin Creek rewards the explorer with twenty miles of trails and panoramic wilderness views, back-country camping, and Bullfrog Pond Campground- accessible by vehicle. The park's rugged topography, with elevations ranging from 150-1500 feet in elevation, offers a sense of isolation from the accustomed sights and sounds of civilization.

Sonoma Coast State Park

Location : Bodega Bay CA
Type : Beaches
Phone: 707-875-3483
Description : Long sandy beaches below rugged headlands, a craggy coastline with natural arches and secluded coves are features that make Sonoma Coast State Park one of California's most scenic attractions.

Annadel State Park

Location : Santa Rosa CA
Type : Lakes
Phone: 707-938-1519
Description : For wildflower lovers, Annadel Park offers a great variety of flowers from early Spring until early Summer, especially on a hike around Lake Ilsanjo. The best months to see the park's wildflowers are April and May, but there are some plants in bloom as early as January and as late as September.