Spring is a wonderful time of year in Sonoma County! There are flowers budding all over and everything is greening up. Now is the time to get outside and enjoy the fresh air, the warm spring breeze and the gentle sun on your skin.

To help you get the most out of spring, here is our list for the top 10 spots in Sonoma County for the family to visit in spring.

Sonoma Bike Trails

• The City of Sonoma has received a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community award by the League of American Bicyclists.
• Plenty of rides for everyone in the family; routes along historic railroads, vineyard trails and valleys, down steep mountain passes and along the roads the follow the coastline.
• Longest pathway is the Sonoma City Trail which runs east-west for ~1.5 miles across northern Sonoma.
• Cycling through wine country.
• More information on the City of Sonoma website: https://www.sonomacity.org/bicycling/
• Bike Tours and Rentals: http://www.sonomavalley.com/things-to-do/tours/bike-tours-rentals/
• Bicycle Map for Sonoma City: https://www.sonomacity.org/documents/sonoma-bicycle-map/

Horseback Riding at Horse N Around Trail Rides

• Multiple trails
• Variety of skill levels for +6 year old beginners up to adult experienced riders.
• Stunning views of Bodega Bay from horseback.
• Amazing ridge trails with breathtaking ocean scenery.
• Ride a horse on the beach.
• More information on their website: https://horsenaroundtrailrides.com/trails-%26-prices

Armstrong Redwoods State Nature Reserve

• Huge towering coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens)
• Over 6,000 trees on a 805 acre nature reserve
• Visit in the spring, in the summer temperatures can reach over 100 here.
• Lots of wildlife to see in the reserve; banana slugs, bats, mule deer, owls, woodpeckers, newts, wood rats, alligator lizards, birds, snakes, foxes, coyotes, frogs, and otters.
• Over 20 miles of trails.
• More information is found on the Parks Department website: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=450  

Hangout at Bodega Bay

• Bodega Bay sailboat cruise. 3 hour tour around Bodega Bay. You can see whales, sea lions and dolphins.
• Kayaking and Paddle boarding.
• Doran regional Park is great for picnics or hanging out.
• Pinnacle Gulch Coastal Access Trail is a 1.9 mile loop trail that takes you to a wonderful beach on Bodega Bay.
• More things to do in Bodega Bay can be found here: https://www.bodegabay.com/things-to-do/  

Ziplining in Redwoods at Sonoma Canopy Tours

• Enjoy an exhilarating rush standing 250 feet above the forest floor in the tops of the redwoods.
• Make memories with your family that will last a lifetime as they zip 40mph from the top of one redwood tree to another.
• 7 lines with the longest zip line at 1,500 feet for a total of almost 2/3rd of a mile!
• Great guides make it a fun adventure.
• Go out during the day or at night.
• More information can be found on their website: https://www.sonomacanopytours.com/  

View exotic animals at Safari West

• 400-acre private wildlife preserve
• Over 900 animals
• Day trips, cabins and Glamping
• South African Braai Dining
• Science discovery day camp
• More information is available on their website:  https://www.safariwest.com/

Sonoma TrainTown Railroad

• Park admission and parking is free, rides require tickets.
• 10-acre elaborate table top railroad where sense of direction is lost.
• Quarter scale railroad on four miles of track.
• Each train trip lasts 20 minutes and goes through tunnels, over bridges and makes a stop at Lakeview, their miniature town and petting zoo.
• Amusement Rides; carousel, TrainTown Airlines, Locomotion Scrambler, Ferris Wheel, Mine Train Coaster, Air Scooter.
• Learn more on their website: https://www.traintown.com/  

Checkout Downtown Sonoma Plaza

• Sonoma city is rich in history and is directly in the center of the Sonoma Valley wine making region.
• Sonoma plaza is in the center of the city and offers boutiques, stores, shops, dining, tastings and art galleries.
• More Information on shopping in the plaza: https://sonomaplaza.com/shopping/  

Howarth Park in Santa Rosa

• 152 acre community park with a lake for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing.
• Tennis courts, softball field, picnic areas, and unique playground equipment.
• Miles of hiking trails.
• Amusement area with a miniature train ride, carousel, animal farm and pony rides.
  
• More Information: https://srcity.org/1271/Howarth-Park

Fort Ross State Historic Park

• One of the oldest parks in the state.
• 3,386-acre park with a historic fort from 1812.
• Visitor center with exhibits, a research library, a museum bookstore, gardens and the historic orchard.
• The fort and its buildings have a panoramic view of the ocean, coast and mountain ridges.
• More Information can be found on the Parks department website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=449  

There are dozens of kid friendly places to take the family in Sonoma County. Our top 10 made this list because they are unique, fun, family friendly, budget friendly and they are enjoyable all year. If you aren’t able to make it to Sonoma in the spring, don’t worry, it’s still beautiful, the springtime helps to amplify nature’s beauty.