Get Outdoors In Sonoma County This Fall

Hidden Beaches, Redwoods, and Zipline Treehouse Stay in Sonoma County

Sonoma Canopy Tours

From hidden hike-in beaches and picnic spots to sensational redwoods, sunsets, and sweeping views, along with a brand new zipline-to-treehouse stay, here are five of the best ways to explore outdoors in Sonoma County.

Redwoods Rendezvous

Shhh … it’s so quiet among 33 hidden acres of towering redwoods tucked just west of Occidental. Bring a picnic and hike a 1-mile loop among redwoods reaching 225 feet. The Grove of Old Trees is sublime, with autumn’s sunlight filtering through the trees and covering the gnarled roots of the old redwoods. Keep an eye out for great horned owls nestled in branches. Bonus Treehouse Adventure Stay: Nearby get your adrenaline flowing with a brand-new Sonoma Treehouses Adventure, and other fun ways to “zip” through the outdoors day … and night!

Sonoma County Trip Ideas

Santa Rosa on a Roll

Santa Rosa’s Spring Lake and Howarth Park border each other to make more than 500 acres of open space, encircled by trails, dotted in picnic spots, and featuring two shimmering lakes. Enjoy it all on an easygoing 4-mile bike ride. Start from Spring Lake Regional Park’s main parking area and within 2 miles you’ll arrive at Lake Ralphine, a good spot to relax and watch kayakers and paddleboats glide across the lake. Keep riding; you’re halfway done. It’s just a short climb before heading back down to Spring Lake. Eat & Drink Bonus: Santa Rosa’s Historic Fourth Street is closed to vehicles in favor of plentiful outdoors strolling and dining. See muralists working on beautiful creations as you pass by local artisan shops and eateries. Grab a patio table at Russian River Brewing or any number of restaurants offering al fresco dining and drinks.

Sonoma County Trip Ideas

Make Time for Tolay

Hidden in the hills south of Petaluma, Tolay Regional Park is 3,400 acres of wide-open space, with a network of hiking and biking trails. Thank the co-management efforts of Sonoma County and the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria for preserving and protecting this land. There’s a lovely 5-mile (round-trip) hike or mountain bike ride connecting the Causeway Trail to East Ridge Trail and ascending to a beautiful panorama of the North Bay, including Mount Tam, San Pablo Bay, and the Richmond Bridge.

Sonoma County Trip Ideas

Hidden Hike-In Beach

Hike in to Pinnacle Gulch Beach in Sonoma County

Bodega Bay has all kinds of hidden gems, including beaches. One of the best is reached via a half-mile hike tucked in the quiet Bodega Harbor golf course community. The Pinnacle Gulch Coastal Access Trail leads to its namesake beach, with soft sands and sea stacks that soak in late-day sunlight. This is a nice beach towards sunset when the shore takes on a periwinkle glow.

Sonoma County Trip Ideas

Picnic by the Pacific

Bodega Head Trail is a 2-mile coastal loop trail along hulking cliffs overlooking the drama of the Pacific Ocean, with spiky sea stacks and distant fishing boats. It also has a tranquil side, with views of the placid and pristine Tomales Bay and Bodega Harbor. Lone benches dot the landscape. At about a quarter of a mile on the trail, find a solo picnic table for a front-row view of the scenery. Tip: Pick up provisions at the Tides Wharf Fish Market, the Birds Café, Spud Point Crab Co., or Ginochio’s Kitchen (best brisket sandwich you’ll ever eat).

Sonoma County Trip Ideas

Where to Lodge

From boutique hotels and inns to tent-cabins, lodges, and more, find places to stay in Sonoma County (Farmhouse Inn and Boon Hotel + Spa pictured above).

Where to Stay

Safe, Happy , and Kind Travels!

Sonoma County outdoors safe travel

Sonoma County Tourism is committed to a safe travel experience. Local businesses follow strict health and safety protocols, and visitors are encouraged to review the Safe Travels Promise: Be Smart. Be Kind. Stay Healthy. Keep Safe. As a Destination Stewardship Organization, Sonoma County welcomes all visitors and invites them to make a positive impact on the well-being of its thriving local communities, abundant experiences, and stunning natural landscapes. Consider signing the Travel Kindly pledge to share your love of Sonoma County.

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  1. Taking the Stage: Tyler Ranch

    Hike the recently opened Tyler Ranch Staging Area in Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park, with 18 miles of new trails. This 6.5-mile loop up Sunol Peak is a challenge and rewards with exceptional views of seasonal iridescent hills.

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  2. A woman stands at Dante's View in Death Valley, looking out to Telescope Peak and Manly Lake, Badwater Basin below.

    Sunset Hike (and Manly Lake Vista!) at Dante's View

    It’s one of the world’s best places to watch a sunset. Dante’s View is a 5,476-foot vantage of the whole southern basin of Death Valley from the top of the Black Mountains. On clear days you get views of both the highest and lowest points in the contiguous U.S. 

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  3. Swing into Spring

    Swing into this 7.1-mile hike in the hills of Half Moon Bay! It’s got gorgeous views, fields of spring wildflowers, and a hidden rustic tree swing.

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  4. The Carson Show

    Carson Falls is ready for primetime. This three-tiered, 100-foot stunner is hidden back in a canyon outside of Fairfax and reached on a 3.25-mile (round-trip) hike.

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  1. Lava Lava

    Once a land of volcanic activity, Mojave National Preserve shares plenty about its past via a quick yet adventurous hike to the Lava Tube in the Cima Dome Volcanic Field.

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  2. Kelso Dunes

    The hike to the top of Kelso Dunes in the Mojave National Preserve is only 3 miles (out and back), but you’ll feel like you’ve hiked much farther by the time you’re done.

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  3. William Kenyon Overlook

    Some of the best vistas of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park are easily accessible via a short and sweet 1.25-mile (round-trip) hike just off the CA-78. Enter your next favorite desert viewpoint: the William Kenyon Overlook.

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  4. Beaudry Bountiful

    There are no cars allowed on Beaudry Loop, but this 6-mile hike takes you on a wild ride. You’ll be climbing 1,500 feet up the southern Verdugos along a chaparral-lined trail with gorgeous mountain and urban vistas every step of the way.

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