Best Parks for California Wildflower Walks

With its beautiful regional and California state parks, Sonoma County makes it easy to “get green” by simply getting out into nature on a walk or hike. In the spring, the parks burst with colorful wildflowers.

The Sonoma County Regional Parks system offers a variety of guided walks each spring.

The hikes are free, but require a nominal parking fee of $7 (or free with a Regional Parks membership). For details, check the Regional Parks calendar.

All the following parks have hiking trails, so feel free to enjoy the wildflowers on your own.  

1. Sonoma Valley Regional Park, Glen Ellen 

In March and April, the 162-acre Sonoma Valley Regional Park is usually bursting at the seams with wildflowers. The beginning part of the walk is on a paved, ADA-accessible path, which makes it perfect for anyone using a wheelchair. Others can continue on the dirt trail. The hike leaves from the parking lot. If you have a dog, you’ll be pleased to learn that a one-acre fenced-off portion of the park is the Elizabeth Perrone Dog Park. The parks department provides an online pdf map of Sonoma Valley Regional Park.

2. Crane Creek Regional Park, Rohnert Park

With its broad grassy meadows and bubbling seasonal creek, the 128-acre park is a great place to enjoy spring wildflowers and is known for its brilliant display of California poppies. You’ll find picnic tables throughout the park. The parks department provides an online pdf map of Crane Creek Regional Park.

3. Steelhead Beach Regional Park, Forestville

The intact ecosystem at Steelhead Beach Regional Park, running beside the Russian River, offers the chance to see unique riparian plants and river wildlife. Bring lunch, as the park contains a picnic area with barbecue grills. The parks department provides an online pdf map of Steelhead Beach Regional Park.

4. Foothill Regional Park, Windsor

With three small lakes and tree-shaded trails, the 211-acre Foothill Regional Park hosts a diverse variety of wildflowers in early spring. A disabled parking lot leads to an accessible trail to a pond. The parks department provides an online pdf map of the park. 

5. Helen Putnam Regional Park, Petaluma

Fabulous views, sweeping meadows sprinkled with wildflowers, a gazebo, a children’s play area, and a large fishing pond … what could be better? The parks department provides an online pdf map of Helen Putnam Regional Park.

6. Riverfront Regional Park, Healdsburg

This is an easy hike with lots of wildflowers, so it’s great for small kids and slow walkers. Bring lunch, as the park has a great picnic area with barbecue grills, a volleyball court, and a horseshoe pit. Be sure to check out the two small lakes where bass fishing is permissible. This 216-acre park is next to the Russian River. The parks department provides an online pdf map of Riverfront Regional Park.

You can also download a map that shows all Sonoma County Regional Parks. And for more options, consider the many state parks in Sonoma County. 

Written by Sonoma Insider Suzie Rodriguez.