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.
Outdoors
Picnic spots near Santa Rosa
Day-use and picnic areas near Santa Rosa on public land, from quick drives to full-day outings.
14picnic areas
25 mito the closest
4within 30 miles
February–Novemberbest months
Good to know: Group picnic sites can often be reserved; fire rules change with the season, so check before bringing a grill.
Closest picks
Warm Springs Rec Area
25 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers
Warm Springs Recreation Area is a day-use park located at Lake Sonoma, which is just a 45 minute drive north of Santa Rosa and a 2 hour trip from San Francisco.
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 (4)
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
Warm Springs Rec Area
Warm Springs Recreation Area is a day-use park located at Lake Sonoma, which is just a 45 minute drive north of Santa Rosa and a 2 hour trip from San Francisco.
- Camping
- Disc Golf
- Picnicking
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
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 (10)
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
Cow Mountain Recreation Management Area
Please visit the following sites for more information about North and South Cow Mountain. North Cow Mountain Recreation Area South Cow Mountain OHV Management Area
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Off-highway vehicles
- Picnicking
- Recreational Shooting
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
Pomo Day Use Area
Pomo Day-Use Area is situated on Lake Mendocino in California's Mendocino Range, where the redwood forests meet California wine country. The lake is formed by the Coyote Dam on the Russian River.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Disc Golf
- Hiking
- 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
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More outdoors near Santa Rosa
- Hiking near Santa Rosa
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- Boating and kayaking near Santa Rosa
- Biking and mountain biking near Santa Rosa
- Horseback riding near Santa Rosa
- Wildlife viewing and birding near Santa Rosa
- Swimming holes and lakes near Santa Rosa
- Off-roading and OHV areas near Santa Rosa
- Parks in Santa Rosa
- Day trips
- Weather by month
Questions
Where is the closest place for picnic spots near Santa Rosa?
Lake Sonoma (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 25 miles northwest of Santa Rosa as the crow flies. Next are Warm Springs Rec Area (25 mi) and Oak Shores Day Use Area (Ca) (27 mi).
When is the best time for picnic spots near Santa Rosa?
Based on Santa Rosa’s average highs, February–November. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.