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
Fishing near Santa Rosa
Lakes, rivers and recreation areas near Santa Rosa where fishing is allowed, closest first.
22places to fish
24 mito the closest
5within 30 miles
Good to know: Anyone 16 or older generally needs a state fishing license; seasons, limits and special rules vary by water. California license information ↗
Closest picks
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.
Oak Shores Day Use Area (Ca)
27 mi east · Bureau of Reclamation
Nestled between Blue Ridge and Cedar Roughs east of Napa Valley, Lake Berryessa provides ample public recreation opportunities.
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Within 30 miles (5)
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
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
30 to 75 miles (17)
Knoxville Management Area
Due to its close proximity to the Sacramento and San Francisco Bay Area regions, and because of its varied terrain, Knoxville's 17,700 acres attract many off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts each year.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Off-highway vehicles
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
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 Wilderness
The Cache Creek Wilderness now contains a total of 27,294 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. All of the Wilderness is in the state of California.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wilderness
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
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Kirby Cove Campground
Kirby Cove is located just north of the Golden Gate Bridge at historic Battery Kirby. Visitors are awarded breathtaking views of San Francisco, its famous Golden Gate Bridge, and the rugged Pacific Coast of northern California.
- Birding
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Mountain Biking
- Picnicking
- Water Access
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
Indian Valley Management Area
Note: Click here to view our California State Parks OHV grant preliminary applications . The public comment period will be open from March 4, 2025 to May 5, 2025. Instructions on how to provide public comments can be found here .
- Accessible Facility Or Activity
- Camping
- Fishing
- History
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Off-highway vehicles
- Recreational Shooting
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
Little Stony
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
- Fishing
- Off Highway Vehicle Trails
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
The main feature of the area is a 35-acre lake for non-motorized vessels, trout fishing and swimming. A one-mile trail leads along the lake shore. There are accessible restrooms and a popular fully-accessible fishing pier.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Recreational Vehicles
- 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.
Get outside around Santa Rosa
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
Fun Things to Do in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California
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THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
Day Trip Ideas | Santa Rosa, California
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More outdoors near Santa Rosa
- Hiking near Santa Rosa
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- Off-roading and OHV areas near Santa Rosa
- Parks in Santa Rosa
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Questions
Where is the closest place for fishing 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 San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge (25 mi) and Oak Shores Day Use Area (Ca) (27 mi).
Do I need a fishing license near Santa Rosa?
Yes, anglers 16 and older generally need a California fishing license from the state wildlife agency. Rules, seasons and limits vary by water.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.