Parks and beaches vary widely;
One of the great things about life in Sonoma County is the wide variety of sceneries if offers. There are several state parks where people can enjoy the outdoors. The climate is moderate most of the year unlike other parts of the country, so you can spend more time outdoors here. The parks offer different activities that make them a great choice for a fun time. I have several favorites, but the top of my list are Howarth Park for the play grounds, Armstrong woods for the trees, Jack London State park for the museum and the ruins of his home, and the coastal beach front parks for access to the ocean.
Horseback Riding:
Horse back riding is an old age mode of transport and pleasure. Horse riders can explore the rich and scenic environment of the park while also enjoying the ride. I had a great time taking a trail ride of Jack London State Park in Glen Ellen and was able to see much more of the park on a horse than I would have been able to walking. The concession at the park took care of everything and all I had to do was get on and go.
Picnics:
People love going out for picnics especially when schools are not in session. Different groups normally converge in the parks on holidays and week ends to play and have fun on the soft grass and cool shades and playing fields. Pick up a gourmet picnic at a local shop like Oakville grocery or Pearson and Co. and enjoy a meal ‘al fresco’.
Mountain biking.
At Sonoma county parks, mountain biking is a pastime for all who have time and energy. With wide paths and lots of room to roam there are some great places to bike all over the county. There are also lots of bike clubs, so you don’t have to go alone. There are those who take it as a sport and religiously go biking every week. Some go biking as a way of physical fitness especially due to the cool temperatures that allow for faster and longer biking.
Hiking
With the variety of landscapes in the Sonoma county parks being so varied, the area has become very popular with hikers of all levels. One of my favorite trails is the ridge trail at Armstrong woods, it’s steep to start and a lot of ups and downs, but there is a nice flat walk back to the parking lot at the end to cool me down. The coast also offers a lot of trails with views of the ocean. A stroll through any park will reveal the popularity of hiking in parks in this area. You will find both team and individual hikers at any day trying to reach the different peaks and valleys.
Kayaking
There are several places to rent a kayak which include transportation back to your vehicle. Burke’s Canoes in Forestville is located near Mirabel Rd and River Rd. They will pick you up in a bus at Johnson’s beach when you are done. Also, across the street from Veterans Memorial Beach in Healdsburg is River’s Edge Kayaks and they bus you up the river and give you a kayak to come back to the beach in. Jenner has a Kayak rental place near the ranger station and it’s my favorite place to watch wildlife in the river. Jenner is located right at the mouth of the river so there are often harbor seals and sea birds to look at.
There are many public courts in the county and some have public play times. Tuesday and Thursday in Windsor at 9am there are people on the courts waiting to play, just bring your racquet and balls. There are several others in Santa Rosa and in the M section of Rohnert Park. The USTA is also helping to support some of the instructors and there have been some free clinics for kids in the summer. The local recreational guides for each town generally have affordable learn to play lessons. I find it’s a nice way to get exercise and be social at the same time.
Besides the above, the county has great facilities for skate parks, dog parks, basketball courts, sports fields and playgrounds. It’s a great place to live.
Jennifer Arvilla
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