Nature adventures/hiking near Healdsburg/Sonoma?
 

My hubby & I are visiting this region for the first time in a few weeks. Should be fun! Can't believe we've been in Calif for so long, but have never made it to the Valley of the Moon. :-)

Although we like wine, that's not our main reason for going. Will visit a few vineyards, but would *esp.* like to add a little 'nature' emphasis to our weekend, as well. We're in dire need of some fresh air, asap! ;-)

Enjoy hiking & whatnot.
Any suggestions?

Or, any favorite wineries w/incredible settings? (for picnics/walks)

I know the Russian River & redwoods are not too far away. But, we probably lean away a bit from the redwoods, as we've had several recent visits to other stands. Love them though, so if they're the main nature outing in the area, that would be fine.

Was just thinking since it's early Spring that some grassland/hill hikes might be nice, too. (to see all the emerging greens) (Whereas w/the redwoods, it's less evident the current seasonal changes.)

Please help. Haven't seen much on this forum re: nature in Sonoma area. Thanks!:-)

One of the better online resources for you would be

www.bahiker.com

Just click on the "North Bay" section and a list of all the available parks will pop up along with a map showing the location of each park.

The most popular hikes in that area are:

- Southlake Trail at Lake Sonoma

- Gilliam Creek Trail in Austin Creek State Recreation Area

- East Ridge Trail in Armstrong Redwoods SR

- Spring Lake Trail in Spring Lake Regional Park

- Bald Mountain Loop in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park

- Lake Trail in Jack London State Historic Park

Closer to Napa than to Sonoma are the following:
- Mount St Helena Trail in Robert Louis Stevenson State Park (Sonoma County's highest mountain)

- Palisades Trail near Calistoga

- Coyote Peak in Bothe-Napa Valley State Park

One of my favorite hiking area is Muir Woods. Behind the tourist area, there are trails leading into Mt Tamalpais. These trails can give you a real workout and are a joy to hike. They are among redwoods tho.

Happy trails! :)

easyT has given you great suggestions!
It's a bit of a drive from Healdsburg
yet a wonderful place with loads of hikes
would be at the National Seashore at
Pt. Reyes.
http://www.pointreyes.net/activities/
R5

My husband and i were in healdsburg in oct. We rented bikes and did a 30 miles ride around the wineries. We did the Dry Creek Region and it was beautiful, especially the road around Dry Creek. Wineries such as Bella, Roshambo, Ferrari Carrano etc. were great to visit on a bike and car traffic really did not bother us. There was a website that had a ton of bike rides listed for the area. It was a great way of getting fresh air and some nature. hope this helps, itsv

Thanks so much, everyone! Great ideas & links. Thank you! :-)

Yes, Jack London park in Glen Ellen! Now I am daydreaming :)

Jack London State Park would be exquisite this time of year - still damp enough for a lot of green mosses and the wildflowers would be out.

Have someone in Healdsburg direct you to The Geysers Road, east of Healdsburg. Drive all the way up - all the way to the Calpine Geothermal facility near the top - not so much for the geothermal works, but for all the stunning views along the way. This is remote, back-country driving (although paved, thank God) with wild turkeys and cows in the road sometimes. There were some mines along this route in the 1800's, hence the names Socrates Mine Road and Mercuryville Road for the adjacent roads. If you decide to go down the hill on the other side rather than backtracking, you will be able to access Highway 101 close to Cloverdale and it would be a very easy drive back to Healdsburg.

There will be a lot of wild iris, lupine and California poppy in bloom by the time you arrive. If you do some hiking and driving in Napa County, you will observe that you are in madrone/manzanita country rather than the coastal redwoods zone - it's a nice contrast between the two counties.

Faina2-
You're not daydreaming...you're still liquored up from lunch.((A))

I prefer hiking into a bar and turning into an animal.:@)

If you want REAL wildlife be at razzle's house when they get a shipment of "Budman's Best Red!" :-X

My guess is: there is only wildlife at razz's house when Kal is visiting.

Faina2,
You actually think people would tell me where they live?!?!?!=-O

This is coming from a guy with a wallet full of "555-1212" cocktail napkins!
:-[

You're both right.
:S-
R5

Hmmm... Kal, do you still have my phone number?

Faina2-It's in my wallet right next to my heart!

Razzie-((F))