Slice of Sonoma

Hike Sonoma's Scenic Overlook Trail

A woman stands and takes in the view of Sonoma Valley on the Sonoma Overlook Trail

You’re in Sonoma, feeling pretty good—now you want to enjoy a short hike to take in the views of the valley. Where to go? The answer is just north of Sonoma’s historic plaza. The Overlook Trail is a local favorite. The 1-mile (one-way) hike to reach the “overlook” is a gentle grade among meadows, grasslands, and oak trees.

The viewpoint is marked by rock-benches, one of which has a small plastic container holding a pen and log-book … go ahead, write something cheesy! The pinnacle viewpoint is known as the west slope of Shocken Hill, where a plaque lists out in detail the sweeping view before you.

Bask in a vista spanning the town of Sonoma, its valley, and—on clear days—Mount Tam and San Francisco. And don’t be startled by deer; they like the view up here too. Enjoy the moment. It’s a short jaunt down from this Sonoma stunner.

A woman walks the Sonoma Overlook Trail with views of Sonoma Valley below

A woman looks at a placard on the Sonoma Overlook Trail in Sonoma

PIZZA BONUS: Family owned and run since 1959, Mary’s Pizza Shack restaurant on the historic Sonoma Plaza is a good old-fashioned classic. True to its Italian heritage, the food is made from scratch with quality ingredients: we’re talking traditional family-recipe pizzas, pastas, pesto, and more. Their neighboring Slice Shack by Mary’s is a quick-stop shop to grab a slice on the go, or some of their famous meatballs (they’ve also got salads and wine and beer). You can take your food across the street to a picnic table at the Sonoma Plaza where you can also (legally!) drink your adult beverages.

To reach the trailhead from Sonoma Plaza, head north on First St. West. Find the staging area just beyond the Veterans Memorial Building on the right side of the street (map). Follow the signs for the Overlook Trail’s Upper Meadow Loop trail. Give yourself 30 minutes to reach the top. NOTE: In spring and summer keep an eye out for rattlesnakes. No dogs.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Serene Las Gallinas

    A serene stroll alongside marshland, passing ponds and grasses frilled in seasonal wildflowers, with Mount Tam a beacon in the background … how nice. As part of the esteemed Bay Trail, San Rafael’s Las Gallinas Valley Birding Loop and Wildlife Ponds comprises about 3.5 miles of wide-open trail.

    View
  2. Paint Brushy

    This time of year you’ll have good reason to head for the hills—the electric-green rolling hills of Brushy Peak Regional Preserve in Livermore. This 4.5-mile loop hike is like stepping into a plein air painting.

    View
  3. Sponsored

    2025 POST Wildflower Walks

    Get flower empowered! POST’s complimentary 2025 Wildflower Walks guide blooms with the best places to see a variety of florals across the Peninsula and South Bay this spring.

    View
  4. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Weekend in Reno Tahoe

    Weekend plans? Reno Tahoe! Just a few hours by car or a short flight away, Reno Tahoe springs to the moment with great ways to combine adventure and relaxation in its beautiful mountains-meets-desert setting.

    View
  2. Hiker walking along the North Bluff Trail on Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park

    Purely Wild

    Channel Islands National Park lives up to its nickname as “North America’s Galapagos.” This less-traveled national park is an undeveloped and isolated series of five dramatic and distinct islands reached by boat. Hike the largest of the islands, Santa Cruz.

    View
  3. Woman hiking the South Kaibab Trail in the Grand Canyon

    Truly Grand Day Hike

    One of the best spring day hikes in the Grand Canyon? See layer upon layer of the park’s grandeur—including the river—on this 3-mile (one-way) journey to Skeleton Point via the South Kaibab Trail.

    View
  4. A woman stands amid an array of yellow and purple flowers at Descanso Gardens in Los Angeles

    Petal Paradise

    Tulips, lilacs, and daffodils—flower power is in full bloom at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge. Sprawling across 150 acres surrounded by mountains, the gardens are putting on their best show right now.

    View