Sonoma, go take a hike!

You’re dying to get out. We all are. If you’re leery of taking a vacation this summer, there’s still plenty of nature to be experienced on one of the hikes mentioned here. Just keep in mind social-distancing protocols, including wearing a mask around others, and plan ahead as many visitor centers are currently closed.

Take advantage of one or more of the hikes detailed below. A few are right here in our own backyard while others may afford a new and exciting adventure. Read on and see which ones fit the bill. Details on what is open and closed change daily, call ahead to confirm.

This week, we feature the trails closest to Sonoma, next week we’ll explore the options outside of town but within a short drive.

Jack London State Historic Park

2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen

Currently open at this park:

All trails

Picnic tables

The historic area

Restrooms

Currently closed at this park:

The House of Happy Walls museum

The London cottage

Water fountains

No tours available at this time

An incredible asset to the Sonoma Valley, Jack London State Historic Park boasts more than 29 miles of trails across its 1,400 acres. Affording stunning views of the surrounding area as well as the historic buildings from the time when Jack London called this his home, the park was designated a National Historical Landmark in 1963. With many trails that wind throughout the park, hikers are sure to find one that fits their fitness level, time commitment or historical perspective. Of note: Mixed-used trails include hikers as well as equestrians and mountain bikers. Cyclists, hikers and horseback riders must use a face covering when passing others on any trails less than 6 feet wide.

Quarryhill Botanical Garden

12841 Sonoma Highway in Glen Ellen

Currently open at this park:

The Garden is open to members only, Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The gift shop is open for curbside pick-up

Currently closed at this park:

General admittance is not available at this time

Just off Highway 12 in Glen Ellen, lies one of the most exotic and biologically diverse places in Sonoma Valley. This is not your typical botanical garden: Quarryhill is a wild Asian woodland, intentionally not manicured and featuring one of the largest collections of wild-sourced Asian plants in the world. From the remains of an abandoned quarry, Quarryhill Botanical Garden evolved as a glorious example, to all gardeners, of what can happen when you dream big.

Today, Quarryhill is a 25-acre botanical garden of mature, flowering plants from Asia. As one of the most exotic and biologically diverse places in Sonoma Valley the garden is not only a modern-day ark of rare and beautiful plants, celebrated for its education and conservation efforts, but also the ideal place for a picnic and peaceful recreation. Stroll the gardens and find magnolias, dogwoods, maples, birches, roses, lilies, rhododendrons and many other plants, as well as hidden places to sit and relax while surrounded by ponds, waterfalls and vistas of the Sonoma Valley. Of note: Pets are not allowed.

Sonoma Valley Regional Park

13630 Highway 12, Glen Ellen

Parking: $7 or free for members

Currently open at this park:

Trails

Dog park

Currently closed at this park:

Parking lot

No restrictions at this time but may close during high wind advisories or storm conditions.

Significantly impacted by the 2017 wildfires, the 202-acre Sonoma Valley Regional Park offers a unique opportunity to watch a landscape regenerate from fire. Featuring several miles of trails, including the park's main trail, the Valley of the Moon Trail — a paved, streamside 1.2-mile path running through magnificent oak woodland between Highway 12 and Arnold Drive. Trails linking to surrounding ridges feature beautiful valley views. Trails are open to hikers, bikers and equestrians.

The entrance offers a grassy picnic and barbecue area under the shade of large oaks. Spring brings colorful displays of poppies, lupine and other wildflowers. The park is also home to the "Elizabeth Perrone Dog Park" adjacent to the parking area and offering a fenced area for dogs to play off-leash. Of note: In the park, dogs are allowed only on leash.

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park

2605 Abode Canyon Road, Kenwood

Currently open at this park:

All trails

Campground with limited capacity, two cars per site and private Porta Potties for each campsite

Public restrooms

Visitor center

Robert Ferguson Observatory

Currently closed at this park:

Some campsites

Sugarloaf Ridge is home to some of the finest hiking and views in the North Bay. On a clear day, the views from the top of Bald Mountain (elevation 2,729 feet) are magnificent and include the Sierras to the east, San Francisco Bay and Mount Diablo to the south, Mount Tamalpais to the south-west, the Coastal Range and the Pacific to the west and Mount Saint Helena to the north. The park is home to the headwaters of Sonoma Creek including a 25-foot seasonal waterfall.

The Sugarloaf website is a great resource and includes information for maximizing your time in the park. With descriptions of the more than 25 miles of trails that align with ability levels and time commitments, it is worth doing some research before you go. Of note: Dogs are not permitted on any trails or service roads within Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.

Check the next edition of the Index-Tribune for part two of this series.