Four spots to try stand up paddleboarding in Sonoma County
Looking to stay cool, soak up the sun and sneak in a core workout while you’re at it? Stand up paddleboarding, or “SUP”, is a fun, beginner-friendly summer activity, and we’ve got no shortage of beautiful places to paddle in Sonoma County: calm lakes, scenic rivers and even ocean bays. Whether you’re trying SUP for the first time or refining your balance with every stroke, here are four great places to launch your board.
Spring Lake Regional Park in Santa Rosa
This calm, 72-acre lake is ideal for beginners, with flat water and summer paddleboard rentals. You'll likely be sharing the lake with other paddleboarders and kayakers, creating a friendly, low-stress environment for first timers. Wildlife sightings are common while on the water – you may see ducks, turtles, geese, herons and maybe even an otter. The lake offers scenic views of northeast Santa Rosa’s hillsides and plenty of shoreline to explore, making it easy to spend an hour or two soaking it all in.
Seasonal SUP rentals are available at the park’s Violetti Road entrance. Paddlers with their own boards can launch from there or can use the boat launch at the park’s Newanga Avenue entrance.
Read more about Spring Lake Regional Park.
Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach in Healdsburg
This Russian River park turns into a popular swimming destination when a seasonal dam is installed to create a lifeguarded swimming beach from July through Labor Day. The still water and clearly marked buoy lines make it a favorite spot for paddling beginners. Or paddlers can put in here and do an up-and-back paddle to Del Rio Woods and its small beach. Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach is one of the most popular spots to beat the summer heat, so arrive early on the weekends or visit on weekdays to avoid the crowds.
Read more about Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach.
Steelhead Beach to Sunset River Park
For a classic Russian River experience, paddle the 2-mile stretch from Steelhead Beach to Sunset Beach through redwoods and vibrant wildlife habitat.
For the most enjoyable trip, plan your paddle for late June to mid-September after seasonal recreation dams are in place and water flows are warmer, gentler and safer. However, paddling on the river always carries some risk. Keep an eye out for hidden obstacles like submerged rocks and snags lurking just below the surface. Always wear your life jacket and paddle with care.
The easiest way to manage the route is to use two cars. Leave one at Sunset Beach, then drive to Steelhead Beach to launch. Both beaches have parking, but weekends can be crowded with tubers and beachgoers, so arrive early or plan to visit on a weekday. At each beach, you'll need to carry your board a few hundred yards between the parking lot and the river. Restrooms and picnic areas at both parks make for a convenient start and finish, especially if you pack a picnic or snacks to enjoy riverside. Expect your paddle to take between 2 to 4 hours, depending on the river's flow and how often you pause to soak it all in. And there's plenty to see; look for river otters, ospreys, herons, kingfishers, turtles and other birds and wildlife. Read more about Steelhead and Sunset beaches.
See our Paddling the Russian River page for paddling distances and times.
Doran Regional Park in Bodega Bay
If you're an experienced paddleboarder or ready to "graduate" to saltwater, Doran Regional Park on Bodega Bay offers a more challenging paddle. Doran’s unique location – the open bay on one side and the more sheltered Bodega Harbor on the other – gives you two distinct paddling experiences.
Prefer calmer waters? Use Doran’s boat launch to get onto the harbor. The harbor side is perfect for exploring nearby marinas and tidal mudflats. You might even find a spot to paddle up to local businesses or waterside restaurants.
To paddle the crescent-shaped bay, you can launch directly from the beach. Watch for seabirds soaring overhead, keep an eye out for seals popping up in the surf and enjoy views of the Pacific and coastal hills. Calm days offer smoother, more relaxing paddling. When the wind picks up, be ready for choppier conditions that will test your skill and balance.
Coastal conditions can change quickly, so check the weather and tides before heading out. A wetsuit is recommended for most paddlers to stay comfortable, though you might opt out during the warmest summer months if you're acclimated. But better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
Like other popular regional parks, Doran is busy on holidays and summer weekends. Plan to arrive by mid-morning and have an alternate destination in mind if parking lots are full.
If you need gear or guidance, several outfitters in Bodega Bay offer paddleboard rentals, wetsuits and lessons.
Read more about Doran Regional Park.
For more details on these parks and to plan your paddleboarding adventure, visit our Find a Park page. Whether you’re seeking a calm lake, scenic river views or the thrill of the bay, Sonoma County Regional Parks has the perfect spot for you. Happy paddling!
Know before you go
- A parking fee is required; parking is free for Regional Parks members.
- Standup paddlers must carry a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket, and children under 16 must wear one. All paddlers on Spring Lake must wear a life jacket at all times.
- Follow Leave No Trace guidelines to help keep parks and beaches clean.
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