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The following are state and
local parks found in the Santa Rosa area. Most are within 45 minutes of
downtown Santa Rosa. All park Phone Numbers are listed next to each
park. Here is a good web page that lists information about Sonoma County
Parks:
www.parks.sonoma.net
Camping - for
information about camping please visit the Sonoma County Parks Website -
Direct Link: www.sonoma-county.org/parks/camping/index.htm
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Annadel State Park is
located east of Santa Rosa off of Montgomery Drive. This park borders
two other parks mentioned below; Howarth Park, and Spring Lake Park.
Annadel is composed of 4,913 acres, some rugged, some developed. There
are many bike paths ranging from easy to some that will make
professional mountain bikers cry in agony.
Over 40 miles
of hiking,
biking, and horse riding paths are in the park. A bike ride that I
recommend is from Spring Lake (which is just off of Montgomery Drive) to
Lake Ilsanjo.
This ride offers several options. For example the main
trail provides a relatively easy ride, but you can also take the rough
go trail, which is very steep, and winds its way up the side of a dry
grassy slope. The ride from Spring Lake to Lake Ilsanjo is about an hour
of moderate riding. There is a paved bike path around Spring Lake, but
once you leave the lake, the trail becomes dirt.
www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=480 |
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Lake Ilsanjo is a great lake for fishing or swimming in after a
hot summer ride or hike. There is a bench on top of the dam which
stretches from one end to the other. Often on warm days this bench is
filled with hikers, joggers, and mountain bikers. From the lake you can
bike up to Ledson Marsh and circle around the park. The trail to Ledson
marsh is initially quite steep but eventually meanders through a small
redwood grove, and comes out at a large meadow.
In the summer months the climate can be quite hot, especially on those
trails on the south facing slopes. Carrying water is highly recommended
as there are no water faucets above Spring Lake. There are a few springs
in Annadel but the water is unsafe for human consumption. For more
information call Phone Number (707) 539-3911 or (707) 938-1519.
Armstrong Redwoods State Park
is located just north of Guerneville just off of Highway 116.
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This park is well worth seeing.
Thousand year old redwood trees are common in this park. There are over
5000 acres. This park was set aside in the 1870's. There are many hiking
trails. Dogs are not allowed on the trails. All that remains of one
large tree is the stump, and many of the tree's rings are marked with
plaques listing historical events. For example, the tree ring that marks
Columbus's discovery of America in 1492 is located towards the outside
of the trunk. This is a great park to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the
solitude and quiet under these giant trees. For more information call
Phone Number (707) 869-2015 or (707) 865-2391.
www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=450
Howarth Park is located next to Spring Lake and in front of
Annadel State Park. This park is composed of 152 acres and includes a
small lake with sailboat, canoe, and paddleboat rentals. The lake is
stocked with catfish, bass, trout, and bluegill year round. Howard Park
also has an amusement park featuring a carousel, pony rides, a petting
zoo, and miniature train rides. However, the train depot burned down
last year, so the train was in operational for several months, and may
or may not be running at press time. There are lighted tennis courts
right next to Montgomery Drive, as well as picnic areas (Families often
have family picnics at this park), and jogging paths. Several made for
TV movies have been partially filmed at this park. For more information
call Phone Number (707) 543-3282. To reach the boat house call Phone
Number (707) 543-3424.
Lake Sonoma
is about a half hour drive from Santa Rosa. It is
located north of Santa Rosa, and 11 miles north of Healdsburg on Dry
Creek Road. This dam was built in the early 1980's. I remember hiking in
the area before the dam was built. There were some small creeks and old
cabins. I metal detected near the cabins and found some old silver coins
Today the lake is a popular water skiing and fishing area. Windsurfing
and jet skiing are also quite popular. I have been water skiing and
boating on this lake several times. As with most lakes, the early
morning is the best time for water skiing. The surface of the lake is
like silk, very smooth; ideal for water skiing. Large bass are regularly
caught in this lake.
A boat launch and marina are available. Hikers will find over 40 miles
of trails in the 18,000 acre park. There is a visitor center below the
dam. Next to the center a short trail leads to a fish hatchery. The
visitors center features native plant and animals and also Pomo Indian
artifacts. For more information the Phone Number is (707) 433-9483.
Point Reyes National Seashore has more then 70 miles of trails
weaving through rugged coastline and coastal cliffs. This area is
composed of 70,000 acres. Four primitive campgrounds are available.
Hiking and biking trails are also available. Swimming is unsafe at most
beaches but is relatively safe at Drake's Beach and at Limantour Beach.
Over 400 bird species have been observed at the Point Reyes Bird
Observatory. The park has three visitor centers. For more information
call Phone Number (415) 663-1092. This park is located in Marin County,
west of Highway 1 between Bolinas and Inverness. This about a 50 to 60
minute drive from Santa Rosa.
Robert Louis Stevenson Memorial State Park is composed of 4000
acres and is named after the famous author Robert Louis Stevenson. He
actually honeymooned here in 1880. Mount St. Helena is located in this
park. From the summit of Highway 29 there is a five mile trail leading
up to the summit. Except for the first 1/2 mile the hike is along a fire
road. The first 1/2 mile is up a narrow trail that switches back and
forth up a steep hill. Hiking or biking along the fire road is easy to
moderate. The road is not too steep. From the top of Mount. St. Helena
on a clear day, you have views that are seldom matched by most areas in
California. On one side of the mountain you can see the vineyards of the
Napa and Sonoma Valleys. In the distance you can see the ocean. Then
looking east you can see the Sierra Nevadas. If you know where to look
and the day is quite clear you will be able to see Mount Lassen and even
Mount Shasta, both many miles to the north. San Francisco and the
Farallon Islands are visible to the south.
The hike from the main highway to the summit is a 1,400 foot elevation
gain. The first part of the trail passes the remains of Robert Louis
Stevenson's old stone cabin, and soon after you will see the remains of
the old Silverado Mine. There are some rock climbing areas above the
fire road, and often you will see rock climbers draped to the walls.
Quartz crystals can be found in certain areas along the fire road. If
you enjoy the outdoors and moderate hiking or biking I highly recommend
this park. Expect to take 1/2 a day if you are biking the trail, and
most of the day if you are walking. For more information call Phone
Number (707) 942-4575.
Sonoma Coast State Beach is a 5000 acre recreational wilderness
region located along Highway 1 between Jenner and Bodega Bay. Dunes,
tide pools, sea bluffs, and many beaches can be found in this region.
Seals and sea lions often gather at the mouth of the Russian River. More
than 5 miles of hiking and equestrian trails are present in the dunes.
Excellent whale watching can be found at Bodega head. Volunteers lead
whale watching and interpretive programs during the winter. Four
campgrounds are in the area. Watch for rough waters and under currents.
Swimming is strongly discouraged. There are often several deaths each
year due to people becoming stuck in an under current and not being able
to reach the shore. For more information call Phone Number (707)
875-3483.
Spring Lake Regional Park
is located in Santa Rosa off of either
Montgomery Drive or Newanga Avenue off of Summerfield Drive. This lake
is very popular in the summer months. This park is surrounded by Annadel
Park and Howarth Park. The Spring Lake basin is used as an overflow to
prevent flooding in Santa Rosa Creek which runs through downtown Santa
Rosa. On particularly wet winters this lake will swell to many times its
normal size and the water will cover some of the campgrounds and
buildings. After the water recedes there is debris and muck over much of
the roads and tourist areas.
There are more then 15 miles of hiking trails in the park. A two mile
bike path encircles the lake. There are 200 picnic sites and 31
developed campsites, including a group site. There is a visitors center
which is only open on the weekends. It displays native animal and plant
exhibits. Boat rentals are available although no gasoline powered boats
are allowed on the lake. There is also a small swimming lagoon and
lifeguards are on duty. For more information about the park call Phone
Number (707) 539-8092.
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is in the hills near Sonoma Mountain,
east of town, off of Highway 12 on the way to Sonoma. Sugarloaf offers
over 2700 acres and 25 miles of hiking and biking trails. There are 50
developed camp sites in the park. There is a visitor center. Call for
hours. To access the park take Adobe Canyon Road off of Highway 12. You
will wind through a semi residential area until you reach the base of
the hills. Then you will start climbing quickly in elevation. It is
about a 5 or 6 mile drive to the park from Highway 12.
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