Lake Loop

Biking around Spring Lake in Santa Rosa

Bike Ride Spring Lake Santa Rosa

The template for a perfect multipurpose park? Hundreds of acres of open space, wending hiking and biking trails, glistening lakes, and picnic spots galore. Spring Lake and Howarth Park in Santa Rosa certainly fit this bill. The two parks border each other and make up more than 500 acres of beautiful open space, encircled by trails, dotted in picnic spots, and featuring two shimmering lakes. Get the big picture on an easygoing 4-mile bike ride.

Two wheels is the best way to explore here: A paved bike path goes all around Spring Lake, with a detour to Lake Ralphine in Howarth Park. Start from the main parking area at Spring Lake and go counterclockwise, with a short climb early on up to the ridge of the main dam, and gorgeous views of the lake and surrounding Sonoma County hills, currently electric green!

Wildflowers are also still putting on a show. Within 2 miles you’ll arrive at Lake Ralphine. Take a break, and a picnic! This is a great place to chill out and watch the kayaks and paddleboats glide across the lake. Also paddling in the water: ducks and ducklings. The ride is halfway done already; all that’s left is a short climb back up and then down to Spring Lake and more easy cruising back to the start. Ready set, spring roll!

BEER BONUS: Keep the good times rolling at Kenwood’s Palooza gastropub & wine bar (8910 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood)—a friendly family-owned spot right off of Highway 12, with a sleek modern indoor-outdoor design and a relaxing patio. The craft beer selection is wide-ranging, from the Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ IPA by Lagunitas Brewing to the Dead Guy German maibock by Rogue Brewing Co. Pair drinks with tasty food options including sweet corn risotto, pork belly mac & cheese, strawberry spinach salad, and fancy cheese plates.

Start from Spring Lake Regional Park's main parking area ($7 fee), off Violetti Rd. in Santa Rosa.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

    View
  2. Hiker in the forest at Mount Sutro in San Francisco

    San Francisco's Middle Earth

    No need to travel to New Zealand to visit Middle Earth. San Francisco’s Mount Sutro Open Space is practically Hobbiton—a hidden “shire” in the middle of the city. Okay, maybe not quite as magical, but still an incredible place to take a hike in city limits.

    View
  3. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

    View
  4. Hike top Angel Island Mount Livermore San Francisco Bay

    Good Heavens

    The 4-mile hike to the top of Angel Island offers Bay-mazing scenery. Some people claim you get a five-bridge view: Richmond-San Rafael, Bay, Golden Gate, San Mateo-Hayward, and Dumbarton bridges.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  4. Woman hiking down the stairs to Coast Royale Beach in Orange County

    Secluded Royale

    Panoramic coastal views and a killer leg workout combine on this 2.7-mile (round-trip) out-and-back hike to secluded Coast Royale Beach in Orange County

    View