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Annadel State Park
Highway 12, east of Santa Rosa. Turn south on Los Alamos Road; go 0.2 mile. Turn right on Melita Road, and merge into Montgomery Drive. Go 0.7 mile, and turn left onto Channel Road. Hours: daily 9 a.m. to sunset, $2 per car. This 5,000-acre park has obsidian quarries which were worked by Native Americans for weapons and tools. The park is undeveloped and offers its visitors a marsh, oak woodlands, forests, meadows, chaparral, and riparian habitats. For info: (707) 539-3911.
Armstrong Woods State Preserve
This reserve includes a large outdoor amphitheater, self-guided nature trails, and a variety of picnic facilities. (Although no camping is available in the redwood grove, there is a campground at Austin Creek State Recreation Area which is adjacent to the park.) You can see here some of the tallest and oldest trees remaining in this part of California. Within Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve you can see specimens of coastal redwoods, including the exceptional Parson Jones Tree (310 feet high) and the Colonel Armstrong Tree (over 308 feet high and more than 1,400 years old). Park hours are from 8:00 AM to one hour after sunset daily. You can park in the front lot and walk into the park for free, or pay a $5.00 per car day use fee for parking within the grove and access to the picnic facilities. Call the Ranger's Station at (707) 869-2015.
Austin Creek State Recreation Area
17000 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville.This 5,836 acre park surrounds Armstrong Redwoods. A paradise for the hiker and equestrian, Austin Creek rewards the explorer with twenty miles of trails and panoramic wilderness views. A rustic, 24 site campground is open year round at Bullfrog Pond near the top of McCray Mountain. Vehicle access to the campground is by way of a steep, narrow, winding, 2.5 mile-long mountain road; so for safety reasons, no vehicle over 20 feet in length is allowed on this road and vehicles with trailers or other towed vehicles are prohibited. All camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis, no reservations. For the more adventurous, backcountry trail campsites are available to backpackers and equestrian campers. Backcountry campers must obtain a backcountry permit from Ranger staff. Call (707) 869-2015
Crane Creek Regional Park
Pressley Road, near the end of Roberts Road, 2 miles east of Petaluma Hill Road near Rohnert Park. Hiking, horseback riding trails, picnicking. Call (707) 527-2041.
Fort Ross Historical Park and Museum
On Highway One, 11 miles north of Jenner. A historical Russian settlement of the Russian-American Trading Company who came to the area in 1812 to hunt sea otter and grow crops for Russian settlements in Alaska. The Fort Ross Interpretive Association sponsors "Living History Day" each July when the public is welcome to join costumed participants in a recreation of the sights and sounds of a day at Settlement Ross in the 1800's. Open daily 10am to 4:30 pm. Call (707) 847-3286.
Gold Ridge Farm
Luther Burbank's experimental farm is open all year for self-guided tours, but also has docent-led tours through October by appointment. Located at 7781 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol. Call (707) 829-6711.
Jack London State Park
At London Ranch Road, west of Glen Ellen off Highway 12. If you are a Jack London fan, there is lots here...the author's grave, museum, Wolf House ruins, history trail ... plus hiking and other historic buildings. Call (707) 938-5216.
Lake Sonoma
Water skiing, jet skiing, swimming, fishing, hiking, boat rentals, cool lookout platform and and over 100 camp sites. Located at 3333 Skaggs Springs Road off Dry Creek Road near Healdsburg.
Luther Burbank Home and Gardens
The famous gardener/horticulturist's city home is at Santa Rosa Avenue and Sonoma Avenue in Santa Rosa. Open for tours April-October, 10am to 4pm. The gardens are open daily all year 8am to dusk. Group tours by appointment. Call (707) 524-5445.
Salt Point State Park
A rugged coastline with dramatic sandstone formations, sandy coves and cliffs plunging down to the sea to gentle forests, grassy meadows and flowing creeks. Do not miss Kruse Rhododendron State Reserve , adjacent to Salt Point, renowned for its stunning display of rhododendron flowers each May. Camping and edible mushroom collecting is available in the park. Call (707) 847-3221
Sonoma Coast State Beach
Actually a series of long sandy beaches below rugged headlands, a craggy coastline with natural arches and secluded coves. The Beach, separated by rock bluffs and headlands, extends 17 miles from Bodega Head to Vista Trail located 4 miles north of Jenner. A Message from the Sonoma Coast State Beach Lifeguardsl-ike most north coast beaches, Sonoma Coast is NOT FOR SWIMMING. Strong rip currents, heavy surf and sudden ground swells make even surf play dangerous. Some of the beaches have camping, not on the state reservation system. Call (707) 875-3483.
Sonoma Mission State Historical Park
This houses the Sonoma Mission and Barracks. Located on the downtown square, First Street East and Spain Street, Sonoma. Open daily 10am to 5pm. Call (707) 938-1519.
Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
Located in Lake County, seven miles north of Calistoga on Highway 29. Hikers that visit Robert Louis Stevenson State Park will find the spectacular views from the summit well worth the five-mile trip. No water or restrooms; day-use only; limited parking. Daily, 8 a.m. to sunset. Call (707) 942-4575
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