Summer’s sunny days and starry nights beckon us outdoors for adventure. Whether seeking thrills — surfing the waves or shredding down a new mountain bike trail — or something more chill like learning the art of nature journaling, read on for a look at people, places, and experiences that make our outdoors such a great place to be.

From the team of Anna Armstrong, Austin Murphy, Nate Seltenrich, Matt Villano and the Sonoma Magazine team.

Catch a Wave

Lake life with Skip Brand

Skip Brand and his Healdsburg Running Company, a regional hub for runners of all stripes, deserve credit for introducing a key concept into the local lexicon: trail surfing. “It means take the watch off, bring the dog out, and put the phone away,” Brand explains. Or, more simply, just flow: ride the landscape like a wave.

A longtime endurance athlete — he’s completed 15 100-mile runs and 22 Ironman triathlons — Brand also knows a thing or two about waves and water. He’s now in his fourth year as president of Friends of Lake Sonoma, a volunteer-run organization that supports the lake and its many recreational facilities.

“Its desire is to put as much recreation as possible into the lake,” Brand says. In addition to hiking, running, biking, and horseback riding on the many trails surrounding Lake Sonoma, the organization promotes water skiing, boat camping, stand-up paddleboarding, and fishing.

Another popular activity on the typically calm lake is skurfing, as in ski-surfing: riding the wake of a ski boat on a single board that’s something like a surfboard, just shorter. “Many of these folks that own slips out at the marina will come out for a Monday night tow, and it’s just incredible for them,” Brand says. “That’s why you have people from all over Sonoma County or further who use Lake Sonoma as the home base for their boat.”

Yorty Creek Recreation Area west of Cloverdale, with its protected waters and sandy beach, is a hot spot for mellower, more human-powered recreation like swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. “Yorty has just been set up to be that local swimming hole,” Brand says, “and on any given Saturday or Sunday, the parking lot is full.”

Other visitors are partial to boat-in camping. Anyone with a kayak or small boat has direct access to more than 100 reservable waterfront campsites scattered around the lake. lakesonoma.org or recreation.gov

Skip Brand’s Lake Sonoma Picks

Favorite beach: Madrone Point

Favorite swim: Public boat ramp to marina, touch dock, and back. Nearly 1 mile. No-wake zone.

Favorite run: Anything from the South Lake Trailhead

Favorite boat-in campsite: Island View

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 every Thursday evening during the summer and fall from 4:30-7 p.m. 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.

Hit the Trail

Mountain Bike Magic

If you favor fat-tire biking and seek epic singletrack through postcard stands of Sequoia, head for Monte Rio Redwoods Park and Open Space Preserve. That rugged west county refuge quadrupled in size a year ago when Sonoma County Regional Parks acquired, from Save the Redwoods League, a 1,517-acre parcel laced with nearly 30 miles of trails. It was built and maintained for decades by members of the Gianni Cycling Association, named for the beloved Occidental bike shop that closed its doors in 1998.

Save the Redwoods League bought that timberland in 2025 from the Mendocino Redwood Company, which had allowed Gianni’s members to build trails and ride their bikes on the property.

Through the years, the cycling association, an all-volunteer nonprofit, has been the beating heart of mountain biking in west Sonoma County, earning a reputation for its superb stewardship of the land and the high quality of its trails. The steep singletracks — narrow, natural surface paths — and fast flow sections are designed to maximize fun while minimizing impact on the environment.

Tom “Snap” Gonnella, who owned Gianni’s Cyclery and founded the club named after it, recalled in a recent podcast, “We were trying to be as inclusive as we could, but we had to deal with the landlord, who was limiting us on how many bikes that we could have in there.”

Now in the hands of Regional Parks, the cap on users is lifted. “We get to share it with everyone,” says Jake Bayless, a Gianni member who notes that, due to the park’s relative remoteness, fears of overcrowding have faded. “Everybody loves seeing more people riding bikes and smiling,” he says. “It’s a magic place.”

Learn more about becoming a volunteer member of the Gianni Cycling Association at giannicycling.org.

Riding the Redwoods

Most of the park’s trails fall in the intermediate category. An introductory route is the 2.3-mile Monte Rio Redwoods Trail, a lollipop loop through towering redwoods, along singletrack and old logging roads, featuring 600 feet of climbing, which even the fittest riders may find challenging.

A far more ambitious undertaking is the 6.8-mile Radar Love Loop, which calls for 1,765 feet of climbing and offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean at the halfway point.

Access trails via the park’s main entrance, 9610 Main St. in Monte Rio, or from the trailhead at 25572 Freezeout Road with a parking lot managed by California State Parks.

The Upper Willow Creek Road trailhead, offering access to a plethora of scenic routes — Badfinger, Sound of Music, Eastside and East Ramps loop, to name a few — has very limited parking along Willow Creek Road. Many bikers ride from Occidental, 5 miles away.

After riding the bikes-only Vacation Wonderland Trail at Monte Rio Redwoods, stop in at the newly opened Wonderland Pizzeria for a pie and a pint on their expansive patio. 20391 Highway 116, Monte Rio. 707-865-5133, instagram.com/wonderland_pizzeria

Redwood Trails Alliance

Sonoma County has some of the best hiking and biking trails in the state, thanks in part to volunteers with the Redwood Trails Alliance. The group is constantly building and maintaining trails across the region, and organizers are always looking for more people to help. Among the current projects is an effort to expand access to Monte Rio Redwoods Park and Open Space Preserve — a park that added more than 1,500 acres in 2025. Redwood Trails Alliance volunteers have also worked on other trail networks, including the mile-long access path to Pinnacle Gulch in Bodega Bay. For more information, visit trailsalliance.org.

Outdoors, en Español

After years of offering outdoors programming in English, LandPaths recently launched Vamos Afuera, a bilingual initiative geared toward native Spanish-speakers. The hikes, kayak trips, and educational outings are designed to foster a love of the outdoors among those who might not otherwise experience it. Activities are geared toward first-timers, and in most cases, equipment is provided free of charge. Recent outings have included hiking at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park and camping at Gualala Regional Park on the coast. Similar programs exist at Jack London State Historic Park (Rutas y Aventuras) and through Sonoma Ecology Center (Senderos Naturales).

Giddyup and Explore

You don’t have to be a cowpoke to experience the beauty of Sonoma County from atop a trusty steed. Horseback riding provides a unique perspective to wilderness many might not see otherwise. It’s also a great workout and mental escape, and a ton of fun. Five Brooks in Bodega Bay offers guided rides that cover a variety of terrain — from mountains and meadows to dunes and sand. Many rides are even suited for kids. Other outfitters across the county include Horse N Around Trail Rides, also in Bodega Bay; Sonoma Valley Trail Rides in Sonoma; and Triple Creek Horse Outfit in Glen Ellen.

Rewilding Running

Lacing up a sturdy pair of hiking boots is how all successful hikes begin, right? Not so fast. Earth Runners, a Sebastopol-based footwear manufacturer, is rethinking the way we gear up to hit the trail.

Founded in 2012, the company has become known for minimalist sandals that “rewild” feet by “earthing” them, or bringing them closer to the ground. Founder Mike Dally based the design on huarache sandals worn by the Tarahumara people who live in the Sierra Madre mountains near Chihuahua, Mexico, and are known for their tradition of long-distance running.

Central to the design are what Earth Runners calls conductive laces, loops of laces with stainless steel in them. The metal supposedly transfers electrons from the body to earth (and occasionally back again).

What’s more, chief customer officer Lauren Fisher says the sandals have zero drop, which means the heel is the same height as the toe. The result? Relaxation in the feet that can extend up the leg and even into the lower back.

“By wearing footwear that mimics being barefoot, we are able to regain the muscles in our feet that have gone dormant and weakened by wearing heavily cushioned and rigid shoes that don’t allow the feet to move the way they were designed to,” Fisher says.

The company sells four types of sandals, as well as enclosed footwear Earth Runners calls iON SYNC Earthing Shoes. All are made in Sebastopol at a facility that employs as many as 25 during the busy summer season.

Earth Runners donates 1% of all sales to True Messages, a non-profit focused on honoring and sustaining the Tarahumara running culture. earthrunners.com

Happy Trails

Even though hiking is a solitary diversion, many hikers crave companionship. Enter Go Wild Hikers, which organizes group hikes in Sonoma, Marin, Napa, and Lake counties every weekend of the year.

Executive director Zoli Somogyi of Santa Rosa plots and leads all the hikes himself, sharing his love of the great outdoors with up to 35 friends on any given trip, building community with every step.

“It’s one thing to experience the beauty of Sonoma and Marin counties on your own, but to experience it with other people makes it extra special,” says Somogyi, who has led more than 350 hikes in just over seven years. “The more people participate, the more comfortable they get with themselves, with the outdoors, and with others in the group.”

Most Go Wild hikes average between 4-9 miles, last anywhere from two to six hours, and max out at 1,000 feet gain in elevation. Degrees of difficulty for each hike vary, and participants usually form smaller groups based on strength and skill levels. Some hikes — at least one each month — even accommodate dogs, and all end with an optional post-hike get-together at local pubs and restaurants.

Go Wild suggests a $5 donation each hike, and hikers must cover necessary parking fees at regional and state park outings.

To sign up for a hike, visit the Go Wild page on heylo.com.

Zoli Somogyi’s Favorite Hikes

Pomo Canyon: “From the coast to the canyon you hike through several different ecosystems. It’s beautiful the whole way.”

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park: “On a clear day, you can see the entire Bay Area from the top of this hike. It makes you realize how close we are to everything else.”

Jack London State Park: “The hike I do there has something for everyone: an orchard, a lake, some redwoods. It packs a lot in.”

Jenner Headlands: “Groups usually say this hike is arduous. I like to think of it as challenging. And spectacular.”

Walk a New Path

Taylor Mountain

Taylor Mountain in Santa Rosa basically doubled its trail network last summer when it unveiled 8 miles of new multiuse pathways, opening 450 previously inaccessible acres to hikers, bikers, and equestrians. Carefully cut into the northern flanks of the mountain, one of the highlights is the shaded Colgan Creek Trail. The series of flowing switchbacks through stands of oak, madrone, bay trees, and buckeye are never overly steep.

Estero Americano Coast Preserve

This 547-acre gem, just south of Bodega Bay, opened in November 2025. Owned and operated by the nonprofit Wildlands Conservancy, it features 5 miles of trails wending through coastal prairies, along dramatic bluffs, and down to a remote beach. For now, the preserve has no dedicated parking lot, forcing visitors to park on Osprey Drive and other narrow byways close to Shorttail Gulch trailhead. Those who go are asked to drive carefully through the neighborhood and park only on the south (legal) side of the street.

Wright Hill Regional Park and Open Space Preserve (Preview)

Be one of the first to explore one of Sonoma County’s newest parks before it opens to the public at a series of preview hikes in July and August. A former working cattle and sheep ranch, Wright Hill features rolling pastures, forested woodlands, and stunning rock outcroppings, all with sweeping coastal views. Preview days will be held July 25 and Aug. 15. Spaces fill quickly, so book a spot and learn more at wrighthillparkandpreserve.org.

Relax and Restore

Nature Journaling with Sarah Reid

Sarah Reid called her mustang, Oreo, her “10,000-mile horse.”

As they rode thousands of miles of Northern California trails together, the mustang taught her how to notice small details most people would simply pass by. With just a cock of his ears, the horse would point out a buck napping in the shade off in the distance or a subtle shift in the landscape. Now Reid, a naturalist and conservationist, teaches others how to slow down and observe through nature journaling workshops she leads around Sonoma County for organizations such as the Sonoma Ecology Center and Sonoma State’s Center for Environmental Inquiry.

Reid began nature journaling in 2017 while taking a California naturalist class, a requirement for the course. Though she once believed she couldn’t draw, Reid taught herself using books and online tutorials. Now, page after page of her colorful journals are filled with watercolor sketches, handwritten notes, and questions about everything from mushrooms spotted along trails to coastal wildflowers, and woodpeckers flying overhead. She encourages others who feel similarly artistically uninclined to focus on meaningful engagement with what they see rather than on artistic perfection.

Workshops often begin with a simple leaf. She asks participants to trace its shape and study its texture, color, and imperfections before guiding them through the reflection process with writing prompts such as “I notice, I wonder, and it reminds me of…”

This exercise, Reid says, helps people move past the fear of not being able to draw while encouraging deeper curiosity about the natural world. “All of our nature and outdoors is so filled with things to be curious about, to wonder about and to be awed by,” she says.

During the pandemic, nature journaling served as a form of therapy for Reid that quieted all of the “external noise.” Today, the practice continues to be a meditative one, allowing her to slow down and pay “intentional attention” to the natural world around her.

Her observations have shaped the way Reid views the changing climate. Across decades spent outdoors, she has watched many species of wildflowers, which used to bloom plentifully, bloom early or not at all. She has seen how prolonged drought stresses centuries-old oak trees and how seasonal weather patterns have shifted dramatically.

Reid believes nature journaling is important, particularly as society has become increasingly disconnected from the outdoors. The act of slowing down to observe plants, animals, and landscapes, she explains, is transformative, often blossoming into environmental stewardship and conservation. “When we take and look at something with intentional curiosity and wonder and we put it down on paper, that becomes solidified in our brain,” Reid says. “This results in a sense of place and a love for the place.”

Join Sarah Reid for nature journaling workshops at Sonoma Botanical Gardens on Sept. 26 and Oct. 4. Register at sonomabg.org.

Wellness by the Spring

Reflection comes easily at the new Shady Grove Movement and Wellness Pavilion at Morton’s Warm Springs Resort in Glen Ellen. Overlooking a newly-restored section of Sonoma Creek, a project done in partnership with Sonoma Ecology Center, the open-air pavilion offers a restful spot for stretching, yoga, meditation, and contemplative thought with the soothing sounds of water burbling by. The resort offers day-long retreats on Wednesdays and Thursdays that incorporate yoga, art, and herbalism workshops, as well as a therapeutic soak in the hot-spring-fed pools that have drawn people here for generations. 1651 Warm Springs Road, Glen Ellen. 707-833-5511, mortonswarmsprings.com

A Jubilant Song

Voices raised in song beneath a redwood canopy is its own kind of magic, like the yearly choral and multimedia concerts performed by Santa Rosa-based Acorn MusEcology. Since 2020, the 24-person group has performed bodies of work — most recently in May at Armstrong Redwoods — that pay homage to the environment. Many of the group’s shows are held outdoors or in spaces that celebrate the outdoors. Their upcoming fall performance, “The Earth Says,” explores the life of soil with words by Wendell Berry and John Muir, among others, accompanied by original music. Previous concerts have spotlighted birds and beavers (to name a few). The goal for co-founder Sarah Saulsbury is to raise awareness about ecological issues. “We need to take care of this planet,” she says. “Singing about it is one way to inspire that care.” acornsings.org

Acorn MusEcology Fall Concert Series

7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Sebastopol

3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, Faith Lutheran Church, Santa Rosa

3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, Occidental Center for the Arts, Occidental

Birding for Everyone

Sitting for hours just to witness a winged creature fly by is its own special kind of meditation, and with the more than 400 bird species that call Sonoma County home for at least some of the year, there are plenty of opportunities to achieve some ornithological bliss. Sure, there’s the Merlin app to help with identification, but if getting off the grid is the goal, connecting with other like-minded bird nerds might be just the ticket.

The Madrone Audubon Society, a local chapter of the national organization, hosts free monthly outings for all comers. Or check out the Feminist Bird Club of Sonoma County, a group providing a safe space in the outdoors for LGBTQ+ individuals, BIPOC, and women. If you want a bespoke bird outing, Teresa and Miles Tuffli of I’m Birding Right Now offer private sessions as well as public events through Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods and the Laguna de Santa Rosa foundation. madroneaudubon.org, instagram.com/fbc.sonoma, imbirdingrightnow.com

‘Roughing It’ Refined

Sleeping under the stars sounds wonderful until you remember that sleeping on the ground isn’t exactly comfortable and that hot showers are a good thing. In Sonoma County, you can have the best of both worlds — being one with nature while enjoying some creature comforts — at these luxe glamping spots.

Safari West, Santa Rosa

Consistently ranked as one of America’s best glamping spots by USA Today 10Best. Safari through Sonoma’s Serengeti, then spend the night in a luxury tent cabin on the 400-acre wildlife preserve. Overnight stays include a chorus of rare birds as your alarm clock and a continental breakfast. Book a South African-style braai (barbecue) for dinner at the Savannah Café for an additional charge. 3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa. 800-616-2695, safariwest.com

Salmon Creek Ranch, Bodega

Forget the tent. At Salmon Creek Ranch you can stay in a dreamy treehouse complete with heat, electricity, and a bathroom. Located on a 400-acre working ranch on the Sonoma Coast, Eagle’s Nest treehouse is accessed via a 30-foot spiral staircase. It features a queen bed, coffee machine, and a wraparound deck for lounging — when you’re not hanging out with the ranch’s resident ducks, cows, goats, and livestock guardian dogs. 1400 Bay Hill Road, Bodega. 707-775-9604, salmoncreekranch.com</a>

Wildhaven, Healdsburg

Just steps from the Russian River, choose between safari-style canvas tents or cabins equipped with a bed, linens, heated mattress pads, towels, lights, electric outlets, and heaters. Each site has a picnic table, fire pit, and access to a communal cooking area with barbecues and sinks. Guests can enjoy easy access to hiking trails, private access to the Russian River for a cooling afternoon dip or float, plus Saturdays bring morning yoga sessions and tasting events with local winemakers. 2411 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg, 707-283-7773. wildhavensonoma.com

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, Kenwood

Four permanent glamping tents are tucked away in the campground at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park in Kenwood. Each canvas tent features a queen bed, futon lounge chairs, rugs, tables, lights, and firewood. Other amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, and outdoor seating, plus 4,900 acres of pristine natural wonder including waterfalls, wildflowers, and majestic redwoods along the miles of hiking and biking trails. The park hosts guided events throughout the year, plus stargazing at the Robert Ferguson observatory. 2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood. 707-833-5712, sugarloafpark.org

AutoCamp Russian River, Guerneville

At AutoCamp in Guerneville, guests can choose between staying in a sleek Airstream trailer, luxury tent, or the adorable and budget-friendly Happier Camper, with as much luxury as possible packed into its petite 42 square feet. The clubhouse features spa-style showers and bathrooms, general store, and a complimentary morning granola and coffee bar. On-site bike rentals mean Johnson’s Beach on the Russian River is an easy pedal away. Dog-friendly Airstreams are available for an extra fee. 4120 Old Cazadero Road, Guerneville. 888-405-7553, autocamp.com

Sonoma Zipline Adventures, Occidental

Five treehouses, similar to yurts, form an aerial village in redwood treetops on the Alliance Redwoods property in west county. (There’s also a sixth similar ADA-compliant and accessible ground-level structure.) Every treehouse sleeps up to four, and stays include two zipline tours with Sonoma Zipline Adventures — one on the day you arrive and another before you depart. A gourmet dinner and hot breakfast will also be delivered to your arboreal retreat. 6250 Bohemian Highway, Occidental. 888-494-7868, sonomacanopytours.com

River Electric, Guerneville

The Russian River area’s newest resort features 46 furnished tents with hotel-like amenities and access to a central bathhouse. The draw here is the resort’s two sparkling pools: a 60-foot-round family-friendly pool and a smaller adults-only area. The pool bar serves meals until 8 p.m., plus cocktails and snacks until 10 p.m. Stays include a continental breakfast. Although checkout is 11 a.m., guests have until 6 p.m. that day to enjoy the pool and restaurant. The resort also offers day passes to those not staying overnight. 16101 Neeley Road, Guerneville. 707-937-8915, theriverelectric.com

Dawn Ranch, Guerneville

In addition to top-tier dining and luxurious cottages, Dawn Ranch offers nine glamping accommodations near the property’s 120-year-old apple orchard from April to October for those who want a more immersive back-to-nature experience. Queen cabin tents feature private baths, while the king tents have shared bathroom facilities with luxury in mind. At the end of the day enjoy s’mores with guests at the communal campfire or at your accommodation’s private firepit. Borrow one of the resort’s Fender guitars for a sing-along before tucking in for the night. 16467 Highway 116, Guerneville. 707-869-0656, dawnranch.com

Glamping with a View

Camping at Lake Sonoma Recreation Area in Geyserville got an upgrade this summer when The Ranch at Lake Sonoma opened the first of 38 new glamping spots. The luxury canvas tents on wooden platforms are outfitted with full-sized beds and heaters. The second phase of tents will be safari tents from Botswana (which ranch manager Nikki Baxes describes as “showstoppers”) that are expected to be installed by late summer. Guests also have access to hot showers, flushing toilets, barbecues, and fire rings, while the Ranch’s barn bar is a short walk away.

Despite the luxury trappings, there’s still plenty of wilderness to be found along the 17,000-acre park’s 50 miles of hiking trails. The highlight of Sonoma County’s newest glamping destination might be the views: sunlight sparkles on the lake by day, and at night, the absence of light pollution makes stargazing spectacular. 100 Lake Sonoma Overlook Road, Geyserville. 707-494-4449, theranchatlakesonoma.com