8 Ways to Get Outdoors in Sonoma County This Week


Written by James Lanaras for the Press Democrat.

5K REGISTRATION, MARCH 26

Santa Rosa: Register by Saturday for the Spring Lake to Annadel State Park 5K, held 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 2. The event is for families and moderate runners. Meet at the Spring Lake swimming lagoon. Registration is $40 by Saturday and $45 after. Proceeds benefit new trail construction at Taylor Mountain Regional Park. Details and registration at annadelhalf.com/annadel-5K.html.

EASTER HIKE, MARCH 27

Guerneville: Join guide Peter Warner for an Easter Sunday Wildflower Hike, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at the plant and animal sanctuaries of Austin Creek State Recreation Area, 17000 Armstrong Woods Road. $10.

NATURE LECTURE, APRIL 1

Santa Rosa: Discover the synergy and historical importance of painting and drawing to observe and interpret Pepperwood Preserve’s majestic landscapes Friday, April 1, during a lecture by biology instructor Shawn Brumbaugh and artist and instructor Marsha Connell, both of SRJC. 6:30 p.m. open house and lecture at 7 p.m. at the Dwight Center for Conservation Science. $10 suggested donation, students free. Visit pepperwoodpreserve.org or call 591-8310 for information.

WILDFLOWER HIKE, APRIL 2

Glen Ellen: Hike among the Spring flowers along the East Slope Trail at Jack London State Historic Park. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 2, 2400 Ranch Road. Meet in the ranch parking lot. $10 fee and $10 parking. Information at 938-5216 and info@jacklondonpark.com SCIENCE SATURDAY, APRIL 2

Santa Rosa: Learn how climate change is affecting oak woodlands during Science Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at the Environmental Discovery Center, Spring Lake Regional Park, 393 Violetti Road. Hands-on experiments start at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Free, $7 for parking. For information, call 565-2041.

NUESTROS PARQUES HIKE, APRIL 2

Rohnert Park: A bilingual naturalist leads a hike at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 2, at Crane Creek Regional Park, 5000 Pressley Road, followed by a pot luck in the park. Free. Parking $7. Call 565-2041 for information.

BACKPACKING INSTRUCTION, APRIL 5

Healdsburg: Learn the basics of backpacking and “leave no trace” camping during this clinic at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, at Riverfront Regional Park, 7821 Eastside Road. $10 clinic, $7 parking. Register with Sonoma County Regional Parks, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov. Space is limited.

CHARITY 5K, APRIL 9

Santa Rosa: Join the Scope for Hope 5K/10K Fun Walk and Run on Saturday, April 9, to raise money for Sutter Health’s fund for colon cancer screening for the uninsured, 9:30 a.m., rain or shine at Juilliard Park on South A Street. Registration is $35, $20 for kids, free 5 and under. Same day registration is $40. Call 521-7785 for information.

Send outdoor event listings to gearhead@pressdemocrat.com at least two weeks in advance.