Boat-In Sites (Lake Sonoma)
24 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers
Lake Sonoma's Boat-In Sites are scattered around beautiful Lake Sonoma, only a 45-minute drive north of Santa Rosa and a two-hour drive from San Francisco.
Outdoors
Boating and kayaking near Santa Rosa
Lakes, reservoirs and rivers near Santa Rosa for boating, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding.
18places to boat and paddle
24 mito the closest
7within 30 miles
March–Novemberbest months
Good to know: Life jackets are required for children on most waters, and many lakes require an invasive-species inspection or a launch fee.
Closest picks
Lake Sonoma
25 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers
Lake Sonoma is located in the wine-growing region of Sonoma County, CA. A picturesque lake with secluded vehicle and boat-in camping available for the fishing and boating enthusiast.
San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge
25 mi southeast · Fish and Wildlife Service
In response to rapidly disappearing wetlands and its prime location within the Pacific Flyway, the refuge was created in 1974 to protect migratory birds, wetland habitat, and endangered species.
Map of all 18 places
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Within 30 miles (7)
Boat-In Sites (Lake Sonoma)
Lake Sonoma's Boat-In Sites are scattered around beautiful Lake Sonoma, only a 45-minute drive north of Santa Rosa and a two-hour drive from San Francisco.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Water sports
Lake Sonoma
Lake Sonoma is located in the wine-growing region of Sonoma County, CA. A picturesque lake with secluded vehicle and boat-in camping available for the fishing and boating enthusiast.
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge
In response to rapidly disappearing wetlands and its prime location within the Pacific Flyway, the refuge was created in 1974 to protect migratory birds, wetland habitat, and endangered species.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Photography
- Ranger programs
Oak Shores Day Use Area (Ca)
Nestled between Blue Ridge and Cedar Roughs east of Napa Valley, Lake Berryessa provides ample public recreation opportunities.
- Birding
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Guided Interpretive Walks
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Nature education
Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary
Entirely offshore, Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary protects soft seafloor habitat, a rocky bank, deep-sea canyons, and diverse wildlife, while acting as a feeding ground for many marine mammals and seabirds.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Wildlife viewing
Point Reyes National Seashore
From its thunderous ocean breakers crashing against rocky headlands and expansive sand beaches to its open grasslands, brushy hillsides, and forested ridges, Point Reyes offers visitors over 1500 species of plants and animals to discover.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Point Reyes National Seashore Campground
Point Reyes National Seashore offers four backcountry hike in campgrounds and thirteen boat in campsites along Tomales Bay. Note: For reservation purposes, our campgrounds are organized under the "loop" column of the reservation grid.
- Backpacking
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking
- History
- Horse Camping
30 to 75 miles (11)
Lake Berryessa
Nestled between Blue Ridge and Cedar Roughs, east of the Napa Valley, Lake Berryessa offers year-round recreation opportunities.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Fs Owned
Lake Solano
Lake Solano Park, Solano Project , is located at the base of coastal foothills at the western edge of the Sacramento Valley and offers an array of recreational opportunities.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Ranger programs
Cache Creek Natural Area
This secluded, hilly expanse of oak woodlands, grasslands, and chaparral is a combination of over 70,000 acres of BLM managed lands and 4,700 acres of State and County lands.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Picnicking
San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
The San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve comprises two components located along the salinity gradient of the San Francisco Bay.
- Paddling
- Photography
S F Bay Model Regional Visitor Center
The Bay Model was built in 1957 as a research tool to test the impact of proposed changes to San Francisco Bay and its related waterways.
- Boating
- Fishing
- History
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK)
Aquatic Park Cove is a vibrantly urban harbor that mimics a natural anchorage and is located on the Pacific shores of one of America's great West Coast cities.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
An area of 3,295 square miles off the northern and central California coast, Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary protects the wildlife and habitats of one of the most diverse and bountiful marine environments in the world.
- Boating
- Diving
- Fishing
- Paddling
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Snorkeling
- Swimming
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area in the stunning San Francisco Bay.
- Boating
- History
Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino
Chekaka Recreation Area is situated on Lake Mendocino in California's Mendocino Range, where redwood forests meet wine country. There is one reservable picnic pad in the Overlook Day-Use Area.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Kyen Campground And Oak Grove Day Use Area
Kyen Campground and Oak Grove Day-Use Area are conveniently situated on Lake Mendocino, in California's Northern Coast Range where redwood forests meet wine country.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
Letts Lake Campground
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site.
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Non-Motorized Boating
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Swimming
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Santa Rosa. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
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More outdoors near Santa Rosa
- Hiking near Santa Rosa
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- Wildlife viewing and birding near Santa Rosa
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- Parks in Santa Rosa
- Day trips
- Weather by month
Questions
Where is the closest place for boating & paddling near Santa Rosa?
Boat-In Sites (Lake Sonoma) (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 24 miles northwest of Santa Rosa as the crow flies. Next are Lake Sonoma (25 mi) and San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge (25 mi).
When is the best time for boating & paddling near Santa Rosa?
Based on Santa Rosa’s average highs, March–November. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, Bureau of Reclamation. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.