The Greatest of the Great Outdoors: Where to Play Outside in Santa Rosa

“What is near an ocean, by a river, next to a lake, adjacent to the forest and in a valley?” sounds like the start of a riddle. As far as I know, the answer to this riddle is “Santa Rosa.” Situated in the northern tip of the Bay Area, Santa Rosa lacks the traffic and crowdedness of the rest of the Bay Area but has more of the amenities—hiking, biking, water sports and more-exotic adventures (see: Safari West) if you’re into them.

Our adventure starts with Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Preserve, just 20 minutes west of the city of Santa Rosa. Armstrong offers all the beauty and grandeur of a place like Muir Woods without the heavy tourist traffic. The scenery varies from massive old-growth trees to stunning vistas that offer postcard portraits of rolling green (in winter) or yellow (other seasons) California hills and meadows. A variety of trail slope levels, from gentle and flat to steep, make for accommodating hiking options. Horseback-riding trails are open in the summer, and dogs are allowed on the main paved roads.

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Preserve
$8 day pass
17000 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville, CA 95446

Have you ever seen a redwood from above? Sonoma Canopy Tours offers a variety of guided zip-line and ropes courses. Spend a day feeling like Superman, flying up to 25 MPH above the Bay Area’s oldest forests. We recommend the Sunset/Night Flight. (P.S. Bring a group of eight, and the last ticket is free.)

6250 Bohemian Highway, Occidental, CA 95465
(888) 494–7868

Just, like, stick out your hand and grab a handful of grapes, man.

One of the most interesting spins on bike rentals comes from the BikePartners.net Bike Shop in Santa Rosa. BikePartners will deliver bicycles to you anywhere in Santa Rosa, specifically folding bikes. Folding bikes are easy to throw in one’s car, without any need for a bike rack (that includes the tiniest sedans). Getaway Adventures offers guided tours on Santa Rosa’s renowned bike paths. It’s a great way to switch it up when driving gets tiresome as you roam between wineries or breweries in the region.

512 Wilson Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
(855) 483–3732

Maybe you’re done with leg day and want to return that bike and work that upper body. In that case, you can go canoeing on the Russian River through Burke’s Canoe Trips. Burke’s offers a 10-mile self-guided trip, after which they will come pick you up. The river offers ample opportunities to see wildlife, including herons, egrets, turtles and, of course, deer sipping at the banks. Burke’s opens for summer on May 28.

8600 River Road, Forestville, CA 95436
(707) 887–1222

Take a jaunt to the coast to see scenic Bodega Bay. Yes, that Bodega Bay. Like, the one with all the great seafood (crabs, oysters). Once you’re cliffside, you can have a picnic, go crabbing, whale-watch or hang out by the harbor. Traipse along one of Bodega’s many hiking trails. We recommend the Bay Head Trail, an easy three-mile path that rewards hikers with a view of the gorgeous ocean-facing bluffs.

3799 Westshore Road, Bodega Bay, CA, 94923
(707) 875-3483

“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.”

Craving more trails? Trione-Annadel State Park has numerous biking and hiking options. Meadows of flowers surround Lake Ilsanjo, a spot where you can use that California fishing license. Black bass weighing more than nine pounds have been caught here. In the summer, there is no other spot more temperate and beautifully blooming.

6201 Channel Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95409

Did you love Lake Ilsanjo? Santa Rosa has more. Lake Sonoma is comprised of much more still and less-intimidating water than either the ocean or the Russian River. Once there, you can rent a boat — they have everything from ski boats to wake boards to canoes — have a picnic or even camp. Reservations are recommended.

100 Marina Drive, Geyserville CA 95441
(707) 433–2200

What do you get when a car has to slow down for a giraffe? A giraffic jam.

And the award for most exotic outdoor adventure in the area would have to go to Safari West, an education and conservation center specializing in African mammals situated in the kind of rolling California hills that recall a Steinbeck novel. This real-life zootopia’s meadows are dotted with gazelles, zebras and even a few cheetahs.

In addition to day tours, there are intimate safari tents in the hills — which are more like cabins in practice — that come well-appointed with ornate beds and full bathrooms, making for a great overnight stay just a few hundred feet from a huge flock of flamingoes and guinea hens.

Any visit to Safari West helps raise money for conservation efforts and research — the preserve helps breed and study endangered animals, contributing to vital paleobiology and conservation research.

Safari West Wildlife Preserve
3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
(707) 579–2551
Reservation only: occasionally, they can make same-day accommodations, but on average, reservations should be made two weeks in advance.

The patio at the Courtyard Martriot in downtown Santa Rosa

If you don’t sleep in the tents at Safari West, there are two excellent hotels in town: the Flamingo Resort Hotel and the Courtyard Marriott. For anyone who loves midcentury modernist design, the Flamingo is a must-see. From its rotating neon sign to the star-shaped building design set around the pool, the hotel hearkens back to 1950s and 1960s Americana. The Courtyard Marriott is a more contemporary hotel experience, quieter and closer to downtown, with an excellent patio and bar.