With the peak of summer heat in the rearview mirror and touches of autumn coloring the trees, this is a perfect time of year to explore Sonoma County’s most beautiful trails.
Taylor Mountain Regional Park: Panoramic views of Santa Rosa, golden hillsides, and oak woodlands make Taylor Mountain an ideal hike for those who want to see autumn from 1,100 feet. As part of the park’s agricultural history and resource management, cattle roam freely and can be found in open grazing areas. Open daily from 7 a.m. to sunset. 3820 Petaluma Hill Road, Santa Rosa, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov. (Alvin Jornada)
Spring Lake Regional Park, Santa Rosa: Spring Lake is perfect for hikers of all abilities, with 10 miles of trails linking to Trione-Annadel State Park and Howarth Park. Family-friendly trails can end with picnicking and play at Howarth Park, and hikers looking for a more intense trek can tackle the Annadel trails. The orange and red hues of autumn reflect off the lake for a scenic adventure in either direction. Open daily from 7 a.m. to sunset. 393 Violetti Road, Santa Rosa, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov. (Alvin Jornada)
Morning sunlight filters through trees at Spring Lake in Santa Rosa, Saturday Oct. 6, 2012. Read our contributor Lizzie Simon's Love Letter to Spring Lake. (Kent Porter)
Alex Hamann of Santa Rosa fishes under a rainbow at Spring Lake, as a storm rolls through Santa Rosa, Monday Nov. 2, 2015. (Kent Porter)
Riverfront Regional Park, Healdsburg: Located along the Russian River, Riverfront Regional Park o ers less strenuous jaunts than the area’s higher-incline trails, but still has incredible views. With two lakes and a redwood grove, hikers can enjoy the 2-mile Lake Trail that loops around the park and end the day with a picnic under the redwoods. Open daily from 7 a.m. to sunset. 7821 Eastside Road, Healdsburg, parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov. (Weriset / Shutterstock)
Sunset at Riverfront Regional Park in Healdsburg. (Photo by Neight Elder)
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, Kenwood: With 25 miles of trails including meadows, foliage, and the Sonoma Creek, Sugarloaf is a park where every visit comes with new sights and beauty. Located in the Mayacamas Mountains between the valleys of Sonoma and Napa, the views from the highest peak on a clear day can include the Sierra Nevadas and the Golden Gate Bridge. Open daily 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. 2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood, sugarloafpark.org. (Kent Porter)
Wander through 25 miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. There is a self-guided nature trail along Sonoma Creek that starts near the picnic area that ends with a view of 25-foot-tall Sonoma Falls. (Chris Hardy)
Sugarloaf State Park in Kenwood. (Chris Hardy)
Sugarloaf State Park in Kenwood. (Chris Hardy)
Sugarloaf State Park in Kenwood. (Kent Porter)
Sugarloaf State Park in Kenwood. (Adrienne Shubin)
With the peak of summer heat in the rearview mirror and touches of autumn coloring the trees, this is a perfect time of year to explore Sonoma County’s most beautiful trails. From the shaded paths of Sugarloaf to the golden hills of Taylor Mountain and the serenity of Riverfront, here are some of our favorite spots to take a hike and enjoy fall’s arrival.
