Tucked back in a residential neighborhood in the Sonoma County town of Windsor, Foothill Regional Park pops with wildflowers each spring. The 211-acre preserve can be traversed within a few hours, but for a rolling 3-mile hike that covers the major highlights, loop together Three Lakes, Alta Vista, Oakwood, and Westside Trails. The route passes three small man-made lakes; along the way, Blue and Coast Live Oaks provide lots of shade, Buttercups and Lupine delight passers-by, and benches are plentiful. Justin Daubs' bench at the top of Alta Vista Trail offers a clear and clean western view of Windsor, the Santa Rosa Plain, and the Coast Range.
WINE: Family-owned Christopher Creek Winery is a brown-barn charmer that's just a few minutes shy of Foothill Regional Park. Their wines are available only in their friendly tasting room, and the winery's deep-red, estate Petite Sirah just won two double Golds. BONUS: Saturday, May 9 (11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), is Spring Fest, where neighboring wineries like Acorn and Mietz (normally accessible only by appointment) open their doors to the public.
For directions and a map of Foothill Regional Park, visit their website. Dog-friendly! Christopher Creek Winery; 641 Limerick Lane, Healdsburg; 707-433-2001. Open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. There is no fee to taste. Directions from Foothill Regional Park to Christopher Creek Winery.