County guide
27 outings for families, couples, seniors and groups, each linked to its source.
Historic parks, redwoods, calm beaches, the Schulz Museum and kids' events.
Free family day with costumes, food, Halloween and Día de los Muertos crafts and wildlife displays.
Stories, crafts and a screening of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown for ages 1-5 and caregivers; come in costume. Trick-or-treating starts at 11am.
Self-guided activity for dogs and their people, with prizes; Halloween prizes for dogs in costume.
After-hours drop-off fun for kids with pizza, games, crafts and cartooning; recommended for ages 5-10. Advance registration required.
View the sun's sunspots, prominences and flares through visible-light and radio telescopes.
46th annual open house: the home decorated for the holidays, Kris and Mrs. Kringle, cookies and the gift shop. Free parking at First & D Streets.
Stately coast redwoods preserved from the logging of the 19th century. Leashed dogs only on the paved road and in developed picnic areas.
Museum of the Peanuts creator, with exhibitions, a recreation of Schulz's studio, animated specials in the theater and a place to draw your own comics. Tickets are sold on arrival only; free parking.
A 2-mile beach on Bodega Bay where south-facing waves are usually calmer than elsewhere on the coast, with a dune trail, an accessible boardwalk and a jetty for exploring sea life.
Buildings and a reconstructed stockade of North America's southernmost Russian colony, founded in 1812 on the ancestral lands of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians, 12 miles north of Jenner on Highway 1.
The 1,565-acre home and ranch of writer Jack London, with his cottage, Beauty Ranch, the Wolf House ruins, the House of Happy Walls Museum and more than 29 miles of trails. Allow about three hours.
The home and gardens of horticulturist Luther Burbank, with a rose garden and a scavenger hunt. Garden and museum entry is free; no pets.
The huge adobe at the center of the largest private rancho in California between 1834 and 1846, one of the most prosperous estates of the Mexican period.
Oak-studded park with a playground, sports courts, an off-leash dog park, a peace garden and more than 3 miles of trails along Atascadero Creek.
Beaches from Bodega Bay to the Russian River with secluded coves, rugged headlands, natural arches, tide pools and, in winter, some of the best whale watching in California.
Historic sites around Sonoma Plaza in the birthplace of the California Bear Flag, including Mission San Francisco Solano, General Vallejo's home and the Sonoma Barracks.
Nearly 10 miles of trails, including the 2.3-mile paved Spring Lake Loop, plus fishing, picnic areas and the Environmental Discovery Center, with hands-on exhibits for children and families.
The headwaters of Sonoma Creek run through gorge, canyon and meadow beneath rock outcroppings, with redwoods and ferns and views from the 2,729-foot summit.
Self-guided trails among petrified redwoods from the Pliocene Epoch, about 3.4 million years old. Family owned since 1914. Arrive by 4pm to finish the trail walk.
Coastal parks, redwoods, museums and evening events.
1.5-hour blacklight walk on paved, flat Channel Drive, then a costume contest and Old Caz drinks for 21+. Registration required; under 21 with a parent. Registration currently sold out.
After-hours drop-off fun for kids with pizza, games, crafts and cartooning; recommended for ages 5-10. Advance registration required.
View the sun's sunspots, prominences and flares through visible-light and radio telescopes.
Cartoonist Stephan Pastis celebrates 25 years of Pearls Before Swine in conversation, followed by a book signing.
Stately coast redwoods preserved from the logging of the 19th century. Leashed dogs only on the paved road and in developed picnic areas.
Museum of the Peanuts creator, with exhibitions, a recreation of Schulz's studio, animated specials in the theater and a place to draw your own comics. Tickets are sold on arrival only; free parking.
A 2-mile beach on Bodega Bay where south-facing waves are usually calmer than elsewhere on the coast, with a dune trail, an accessible boardwalk and a jetty for exploring sea life.
The home and gardens of horticulturist Luther Burbank, with a rose garden and a scavenger hunt. Garden and museum entry is free; no pets.
Art and history museum steps from downtown Santa Rosa and Railroad Square, typically with two or three exhibitions and a sculpture garden.
Six miles of rugged coastline, from kelp-dotted coves to sandstone cliffs, plus forested hills, prairies, a pygmy forest and an underwater park. About 90 miles north of San Francisco.
Beaches from Bodega Bay to the Russian River with secluded coves, rugged headlands, natural arches, tide pools and, in winter, some of the best whale watching in California.
Historic sites around Sonoma Plaza in the birthplace of the California Bear Flag, including Mission San Francisco Solano, General Vallejo's home and the Sonoma Barracks.
Historic sites, gardens, museums and guided park programs.
Easy-to-moderate 2.5-mile guided hike around Lake Suttonfield with a State Park interpreter.
Forest bathing session. Listed on the park's events calendar.
Cartoonist Stephan Pastis celebrates 25 years of Pearls Before Swine in conversation, followed by a book signing.
Yoga hike. Listed on the park's events calendar.
46th annual open house: the home decorated for the holidays, Kris and Mrs. Kringle, cookies and the gift shop. Free parking at First & D Streets.
Stately coast redwoods preserved from the logging of the 19th century. Leashed dogs only on the paved road and in developed picnic areas.
Museum of the Peanuts creator, with exhibitions, a recreation of Schulz's studio, animated specials in the theater and a place to draw your own comics. Tickets are sold on arrival only; free parking.
Buildings and a reconstructed stockade of North America's southernmost Russian colony, founded in 1812 on the ancestral lands of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians, 12 miles north of Jenner on Highway 1.
The 1,565-acre home and ranch of writer Jack London, with his cottage, Beauty Ranch, the Wolf House ruins, the House of Happy Walls Museum and more than 29 miles of trails. Allow about three hours.
The home and gardens of horticulturist Luther Burbank, with a rose garden and a scavenger hunt. Garden and museum entry is free; no pets.
Art and history museum steps from downtown Santa Rosa and Railroad Square, typically with two or three exhibitions and a sculpture garden.
The huge adobe at the center of the largest private rancho in California between 1834 and 1846, one of the most prosperous estates of the Mexican period.
Historic sites around Sonoma Plaza in the birthplace of the California Bear Flag, including Mission San Francisco Solano, General Vallejo's home and the Sonoma Barracks.
Nearly 10 miles of trails, including the 2.3-mile paved Spring Lake Loop, plus fishing, picnic areas and the Environmental Discovery Center, with hands-on exhibits for children and families.
Self-guided trails among petrified redwoods from the Pliocene Epoch, about 3.4 million years old. Family owned since 1914. Arrive by 4pm to finish the trail walk.
Coastal and ridge trails, state parks and guided hikes.
1.5-hour blacklight walk on paved, flat Channel Drive, then a costume contest and Old Caz drinks for 21+. Registration required; under 21 with a parent. Registration currently sold out.
Easy-to-moderate 2.5-mile guided hike around Lake Suttonfield with a State Park interpreter.
Forest bathing session. Listed on the park's events calendar.
Cartoonist Stephan Pastis celebrates 25 years of Pearls Before Swine in conversation, followed by a book signing.
Yoga hike. Listed on the park's events calendar.
The 1,565-acre home and ranch of writer Jack London, with his cottage, Beauty Ranch, the Wolf House ruins, the House of Happy Walls Museum and more than 29 miles of trails. Allow about three hours.
Art and history museum steps from downtown Santa Rosa and Railroad Square, typically with two or three exhibitions and a sculpture garden.
Oak-studded park with a playground, sports courts, an off-leash dog park, a peace garden and more than 3 miles of trails along Atascadero Creek.
Six miles of rugged coastline, from kelp-dotted coves to sandstone cliffs, plus forested hills, prairies, a pygmy forest and an underwater park. About 90 miles north of San Francisco.
Beaches from Bodega Bay to the Russian River with secluded coves, rugged headlands, natural arches, tide pools and, in winter, some of the best whale watching in California.
Nearly 10 miles of trails, including the 2.3-mile paved Spring Lake Loop, plus fishing, picnic areas and the Environmental Discovery Center, with hands-on exhibits for children and families.
The headwaters of Sonoma Creek run through gorge, canyon and meadow beneath rock outcroppings, with redwoods and ferns and views from the 2,729-foot summit.
Miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and riding on the eastern edge of Santa Rosa. Dogs are allowed only in developed areas.
Free entry, plus outings with a low parking or entry fee.
Easy-to-moderate 2.5-mile guided hike around Lake Suttonfield with a State Park interpreter.
Free family day with costumes, food, Halloween and Día de los Muertos crafts and wildlife displays.
Self-guided activity for dogs and their people, with prizes; Halloween prizes for dogs in costume.
View the sun's sunspots, prominences and flares through visible-light and radio telescopes.
A 2-mile beach on Bodega Bay where south-facing waves are usually calmer than elsewhere on the coast, with a dune trail, an accessible boardwalk and a jetty for exploring sea life.
The home and gardens of horticulturist Luther Burbank, with a rose garden and a scavenger hunt. Garden and museum entry is free; no pets.
The huge adobe at the center of the largest private rancho in California between 1834 and 1846, one of the most prosperous estates of the Mexican period.
Oak-studded park with a playground, sports courts, an off-leash dog park, a peace garden and more than 3 miles of trails along Atascadero Creek.
Historic sites around Sonoma Plaza in the birthplace of the California Bear Flag, including Mission San Francisco Solano, General Vallejo's home and the Sonoma Barracks.
Nearly 10 miles of trails, including the 2.3-mile paved Spring Lake Loop, plus fishing, picnic areas and the Environmental Discovery Center, with hands-on exhibits for children and families.
The headwaters of Sonoma Creek run through gorge, canyon and meadow beneath rock outcroppings, with redwoods and ferns and views from the 2,729-foot summit.
Miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and riding on the eastern edge of Santa Rosa. Dogs are allowed only in developed areas.