Sonoma County’s verdant vineyards and rolling hills are world renowned, but its rivers, lakes and coast are local treasures. More than just shimmering spectacles for dreamy photo backdrops, the waterways offer an abundance of activities.
From fly fishing on the river to surfing the Sonoma Coast, here are some favorite local water sports to dive into this summer.
Russian River Fly Fishers
Count year-round fly fishing among the many recreational opportunities afforded by Sonoma County’s largest waterway, explains Steve Tubbs, a 35-year board member of the Russian River Fly Fishers.
“In the summertime the Russian River becomes more of a warm-water fishery with bass, pike minnow, and others,” he says. “They can all be caught on flies.”
We’re also blessed with one of just four public fly-fishing casting ponds in the state, located at Galvin Park in Santa Rosa. Russian River Fly Fishers offers free fly-casting instruction from 4:30-7 p.m. every Thursday evening during the summer and fall. Beginners are welcome. rrflyfisher.org
Kayaking/SUPing
Floating is just fine, but sometimes, for a little extra exercise, paddling is preferred. If you’ve got your own kayak or stand-up board, some of the Russian River’s more accessible launch spots include, from east to west: Cloverdale River Park, Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach, Steelhead and Sunset beaches in Forestville, and Guerneville River Park.
In addition, several local outfitters make it easy to get on the water, including River’s Edge in Healdsburg, Russian River Paddle Boards in Windsor, Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville, Rubicon Adventures in Forestville, and Burke’s Canoe Trips, which provides rentals and shuttles for a 10-mile paddle through the redwoods.
North Bay Rowing Club
The Petaluma River isn’t really a river: It’s a slough. And once you know the difference, you understand why the 13-mile waterway is a top destination for local rowers. It never runs too fast, never gets too low, and changes direction every six hours (more or less). Conditions are relatively mild, and predictable, all year long, with enough variation to keep things interesting and lots to see along the way.
“Once you get past the [101] freeway bridge, you get out into the countryside quite quickly,” says Nick Honey, president of the Petaluma River-based North Bay Rowing Club. “And there are all kinds of birds and other wildlife. We’ve seen seals. One time I saw a couple of deer swim across the river.”
In addition to organizing youth crew teams, the club also offers adult learn-to-row classes and private lessons. Honey recommends them to anyone who’s interested in being on the river. “You don’t have to have previous experience,” he says. “We’ll show you how to do it.”
On Sept. 6, the club will host its biggest event of the year, the Petaluma River Marathon and Half-Marathon. Now in its 22nd year, the race is open to all people-powered craft, including stand-up paddleboards and kayaks. “People come from all over,” Honey says. “It’s a pretty unique event.” northbayrowing.org
Surfing
Our coast isn’t always rugged and cold. It can be calm and inviting, like the waves at Dillon Beach — just across the county line in Marin — where beginning surfers are still advised to remember that wetsuit. South-facing Doran Beach is also favored by novices, groms, and anyone else seeking relief from northwest winds. Then there’s Salmon Creek, the local test piece.
Ensure you’re ready with the help of Bodega Bay Surf Shack, which provides rentals and instruction for recovering kooks and aspiring rippers — and also offers post-surf munchies with a slice of local surf culture. In Bodega, Northern Light Surf Shop rents surfboards, bodyboards, and wetsuits.
Surf Talk
Grom: Short for grommet. A young (usually under 16) participant in extreme sports, like surfing.
Kook: An inexperienced surfer who lacks basic surf etiquette.
This article was excerpted from our Ultimate Guide to Sonoma County’s Great Outdoors, originally published in the July/August 2026 issue of Sonoma Magazine.
