Top 5 Sonoma Valley Hikes

Top 5 Sonoma Valley Hikes

1) The Overlook Trail

A locals’ favorite, and spectacular at sunset, the Overlook Trail is walking distance to Sonoma’s historic plaza, with valley views rolling all the way out to Mount Tam.

2) Hood Mountain Regional Park

Hiking to Hood Mountain’s Gunsight Rock Overlook (2,730 feet) is a rite of passage, offering an amazing view of Sonoma Valley’s crescent shape, all the way out to the bay and Golden Gate Bridge.

3) Jack London State Park

In the heart of the valley, the ranch and mansion ruins of its namesake adventure writer include miles of hiking trails through redwood trees and up to fantastic valley vistas of vineyards.

4) Sugarloaf Ridge State Park

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park has a liquid asset that’s not wine (a waterfall!) and a panoramic peak hike, Bald Mountain, offering a spectacular view of the valley.

5) Sonoma Valley Regional Park

Oak woodland, wildflowers, a large reservoir with trails around it, a hidden picnic spot with an incredible view of the rolling landscape—these are just a few features that make Sonoma Valley Regional Park special (it’s also dog-friendly!).

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  1. Napa Valley Paddle kayaker and paddle boarder on the Napa Valley river

    Napa's Wild Side

    It’s wine country’s Amazon. The gentle Napa River is an ecological—and recreational—delight. And Napa Valley Paddle sets you up for maximum enjoyment of this experience.

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  2. Been There, Dome That

    Surrounded by granite domes, craggy peaks, and miles of hiking trails, the High Sierra landscape of Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park is famous for good reason. For a truly grand view, take a short hike to bold—and bald (except for snow at times)—Lembert Dome.

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  3. Wapama Wows

    Hetch Hetchy can be overlooked in Yosemite National Park because of its more remote location and limited facilities. But this is where you’ll also find one of the best day hikes in the park: Wapama Falls.

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  4. Hike Mount Tamalpais into Muir Woods

    Muir Woods Through the Backdoor

    A backdoor entrance into Muir Woods? Hike a tranquil trail that starts in Mount Tamalpais State Park and quietly leads into Muir Woods, letting you avoid the busyness of the main parking area.

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  1. Inn-spiration Point!

    For more than a century, people have been hiking or mountain biking to West Point Inn for good reason. Perched at 1,785 feet on the southern slope of Mount Tamalpais, the historic inn has sweeping views from the Marin Headlands to the San Francisco skyline.

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  2. A Thousand Steps to Paradise

    A picture is worth a thousand words, but is a gorgeous beach in Laguna worth a thousand steps? The answer is yes, though the question is moot, because it’s only 223 steep steps down to the 400-yard stretch of sand known as 1000 Steps Beach.

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    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.

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  4. Hike to the Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout in the Lakes Basin

    Lookout for This View!

    Sierra Buttes Lookout, at a lofty 8,591 feet, is a memory maker for its pucker-worthy stairway to the tower’s balcony. It's a 5-mile (round-trip) hike to reach it. And the reward? Epic!

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