01
Best close-to-campus hike
Copeland Creek Trail
On And Near The Rohnert Park Campus • Creekside Greenway Path • Easiest No-Drive Option
A flat, mostly paved trail that shadows Copeland Creek right by campus, ideal for quick walks, sunset spins, or easy jogs.
If you want fresh air without getting in the car, Copeland Creek Trail is the go-to move from Sonoma State. The path follows the creek through neighborhoods and greenbelts, with plenty of access points and turn-around options so you can tailor the distance. Expect casual foot and bike traffic, gentle grades, and just enough trees and water to feel like a reset between classes.
02
Guided nature escape
Fairfield Osborn Preserve
Sonoma Mountain Foothills Above Penngrove • Oak Woodland Research Preserve • Wildlife And Natural History Focus
A quiet, education-focused preserve with guided hikes through shady canyons, open meadows, and classic Sonoma Mountain oak woodland.
Run in partnership with Sonoma State, Fairfield Osborn Preserve feels like an outdoor classroom in the best sense: intimate, quiet, and full of living field-guide moments. Trails wind past seasonal streams, mossy rock outcrops, and thick oak and bay forest, with docents often pointing out tracks, birds, and native plants. It’s a great choice if you like a slower, more observant kind of hiking and don’t mind planning around scheduled access hours or guided outings.
03
Big-view ridge walk
North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve
Eastern Slope Of Sonoma Mountain • High Ridge Regional Park • Best Sunrise And Sunset Views
A steadily climbing ridge trail that trades effort for huge bay and valley views, plus a link to the Sonoma Mountain summit corridor.
From the parking lot, the main trail climbs through mixed forest and grassy openings before committing to wide, view-packed ridgelines. On clear days you can see across Sonoma Valley and out toward the Bay, making early-morning or late-afternoon hikes especially memorable. The grades are moderate but sustained, so bring water and expect a solid workout if you push toward the upper junctions with Jack London’s trail system.
04
Classic Sonoma Valley ramble
Jack London State Historic Park
Glen Ellen In Sonoma Valley • Historic State Park With Mountain Trails • History-Meets-Hiking Adventure
A blend of historic ranch ruins, shady forest paths, and the longer Sonoma Mountain Trail for those craving real elevation gain.
Jack London’s old ranch is now a full network of trails, from mellow loops past stone ruins and vineyards to the steep Sonoma Mountain Trail that heads for the summit. You can keep things easy with a history-rich stroll or commit to a half-day hike that strings together canyon, chaparral, and big views. The mix of well-marked junctions, varied terrain, and post-hike food options in nearby Glen Ellen makes it a reliable crowd-pleaser for visiting friends and family.
05
High-mileage trail day
Trione-Annadel State Park
Eastern Santa Rosa Hills • Lakeside State Park With Singletrack Network • Challenging Mileage Close To Town
A sprawling trail network of fire roads and singletrack, with lake views, spring wildflowers, and enough options to fill a half or full day.
Annadel is where local hikers go when they want to log real miles without driving deep into the backcountry. Trails roll through mixed forest and open slopes, linking rocky viewpoints with the quieter shores of Lake Ilsanjo, and you can build everything from a short after-work loop to a long, leg-testing circuit. Expect to share the wider routes with mountain bikers and trail runners, and bring a map or app—the density of intersections is part of the fun but easy to underestimate on a first visit.