TranslateSeptember 2024 Newsletter
Featured park: Three hikes at North Sonoma Mountain
With cooler mornings signaling fall's imminent arrival, put North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve on your bucket list. Autumn means clear skies and mountaintop vistas, and the milder temps make the elevation of these trails more pleasant. Enjoy the fragrance of bay leaves and the satisfying crunch of big-leaf maple leaves underfoot. Here are three must-try hikes this season.
The SugarShuttle rides again
If you are up for a truly epic adventure at North Sonoma Mountain, challenge yourself to a thru-hike up and over the mountain to the base of Jack London State Historic Park– and use the SugarShuttle to take the hassle out of parking. On hiatus since the pandemic, the SugarShuttle returns this fall, running between Sugarloaf Ridge State Park and Hood Mountain Regional Park and Preserve or Jack London State Historic Park and North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park and Preserve. Operated by Team Sugarloaf, the shuttle runs on select weekends between parks.
Upcoming dates
Oct. 5 & 6: Sugarloaf ↔ Hood Mountain
Nov. 2 & 3: North Sonoma Mountain ↔ Jack London
Here's how it works: Park at one park, ride the shuttle to the other, and then hike back to your car. Routes range from 7.5 to 9 miles and up to 2,000 feet of elevation gain, taking up to five hours to complete.
Reserve your spot for $10 (refunded on the day of the ride). Regular parking fees apply, and dogs and bikes are not allowed. Learn more and register at SoCoParks.org/SugarShuttle.
Get close to nature on the North Coast
Looking for a camping experience off the beaten path? Stillwater Cove and Gualala Point regional parks each feature tucked-away campgrounds on Sonoma County's North Coast. Discover rugged beaches, hike scenic trails, explore unique ecosystems and uncover why these parks are favorites for campers in the know.
Volunteer for Coastal Cleanup Day
California Coastal Cleanup Day, Sept. 21, invites everyone across the state to come together and remove trash from our waterways and shorelines. Join Regional Parks staff and volunteers as we clean up Larson Park in Sonoma Valley along Sonoma Creek. Since creeks feed into rivers and oceans, each piece of trash removed helps stop pollution from reaching the coast. We’ll provide all the supplies and refreshments. Free; registration required.
Off-leash swim time in September
It's time for your pup to make a splash at the Water Bark at Spring Lake Regional Park during the last two weekends of September. Spring Lake's swimming lagoon is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. for an off-leash swim party where your dog can romp, play and make new pals all day long. Advance tickets are $8 for regional parks members; $12 for non-members. Season passes are $50. Tickets at the gate are $10 for members; $15 for non-members.
The Water Bark is a fundraiser for the Sonoma County Parks Foundation, which helps support more than 50 dog-friendly parks and trails.
New this year! The Parks Foundation has a new online store, selling Water Bark bandanas for your stylish pup.
Boat and stand up paddleboard rentals on Spring Lake are also open on Water Bark weekends through September. Boats and SUPs can be reserved at SoCoParks.org/Aquatics.
Featured events
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Winging it Wednesday: Ragle RanchJoin us for a leisurely bird walk at Ragle Ranch Regional Park on Sept. 25 from 8:30–10:30 a.m. This outing is tailored for older adults to enjoy nature, good company and the park's birdlife. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair. Free. |
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Watershed restoration at ShilohTake a 2.5- to 3-mile hike with us on the evening of Sept. 26 and learn about our watershed restoration work at Shiloh Ranch Regional Park and how we're supporting native species in and around the park pond. |
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Connecting with our FoodJoin us at the community garden at Maddux Ranch Regional Park, Oct. 4, 4-6 p.m., to plant a few seeds for winter. Reflect on your connection with food through mindfulness practices and community conversations. Free; registration required. |
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Sonoma County Regional Parks
400 Aviation Boulevard, Suite 100, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 565-2041
ParksMarketing@Sonoma-County.org
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