Sonoma made its reputation on wine and gastronomy, but the region also offers exceptionally beautiful hikes. In the mountains, trails often reveal uninterrupted views of the valley below, and even in peak season, finding solitude is possible. Our explorations ranged from easy, level walks to moderate climbs, and one trail ended at a winery, a fitting reward for our efforts.

Spring Lake Regional Park

While many visitors to Sonoma gravitate to the well-known Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen — a great spot to immerse yourself in the literary and agricultural accomplishments of the famous author — we chose a quieter locals’ favorite at the northern edge of the Sonoma Mountains. Spring Lake Regional Park, in Santa Rosa, offers about 10 miles of gentle paths that circle the lake, plus kayaking, fishing and swimming in its quiet separate lagoon. Early in the morning, we set off on an easy 2.3-mile paved loop. Ethereal fog still hovered over the calm water and drifted through diverse woodlands and chaparral. As the sun rose, the mist burned away, and we caught sight of deer grazing near the shoreline and a blue heron gliding low over the lake. Be sure to stop in the small but mighty Environmental Discovery Center, staffed by engaging naturalists who invite hands-on exploration of exhibits devoted to the region’s ecological and cultural history. I recommend driving through the gate on Violetti Road and parking near the swimming lagoon — an ideal jumping-off point to explore both the trails and the lake. For more ambitious hikers, Spring Lake Regional Park connects directly to the 5,000-acre Trione-Annadel State Park, which offers 45 miles of more rigorous trails.

Spring Lake Regional Park 
393 Violetti Road, Santa Rosa. Tel. (707) 539-8092