Every Saturday between Memorial Day and Labor Day, join us for a 1.4-mile nature hike along the Sonoma Creek. On the hike your leader will teach you about the plants, animals, and aquatic life of Sonoma Creek. This free hike starts outside the Visitor Center. Registration is not required. Parking fees apply.
Bring a flashlight and your sense of wonder as you explore the park after dark. This hike begins at the White Barn and heads up to Bald Mountain, where we will see the moon rise over the Mayacamas and the sun set over Sonoma Valley.
This route is a strenuous 6.5 miles with 1500+ of vertical and some steep sections (not recommended for children under 12). It leaves the White Barn parking lot at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10 general, and $5 for youth (12-17 year olds; must be accompanied by an adult), students, Sugarloaf members, and Sugarloaf volunteers. Be at the meeting location at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the hike for a prompt departure. Bring at least a quart of water, snacks, your flashlight, and extra layers for the evening. Parking fees apply.
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For more events at Sugarloaf, visit our calendar.
Volunteers play a crucial role at keeping Sugarloaf Ridge State Park open and accessible to all! Help Sugarloaf with trail restoration work by coming to our every-other-Thursday Volunteer Trail Crew. Activities include bridge and step construction, installing signs, clearing, lifting, carrying, and hiking.
Bring gloves, hat, and water that you can carry hands-free (i.e. bring a backpack). Wear long pants, boots or sturdy shoes and sunscreen. Long sleeves are suggested as poison oak is present. We have tools and trained crew leaders with tasks for all. Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult. We will provide tools, and if allowed, lunch.
If you are a current Sugarloaf volunteer, log onto Better Impact to sign up. First-time volunteers are welcomed and encouraged to formally join our volunteer program if they’d like to support us more frequently. Start here to become a volunteer.
Every Saturday between Memorial Day and Labor Day, join us for a 1.4-mile nature hike along the Sonoma Creek. On the hike your leader will teach you about the plants, animals, and aquatic life of Sonoma Creek. This free hike starts outside the Visitor Center. Registration is not required. Parking fees apply.
La vida en el arroyo
Sábado 10 de junio, 3-4:30pm
¿Qué tipo de macroinvertebrados podemos encontrar en el arroyo de Sonoma? El Dr. Dan Levitis nos acompaña en esta exploración de insectos acuáticos. Comenzaremos detrás del centro de visitantes y bajaremos al lecho del arroyo después de aprender acerca de los mayores grupos de insectos que pueden ser encontrados en el arroyo.
Este evento es gratuito en colaboración con la Biblioteca Regional del Valle de Sonoma. Si vives cerca de la biblioteca, visítales o llamales para inscribirte al programa por gratis– ¡incluyendo transporte! Regístrate por adelantado ya que el espacio es limitado.
Recomendamos vestirse en ropa que pueda mojarse o ensuciarse, calzado adecuado para exploración acuática, traer una gorra o protección solar, al menos un litro de agua, y si deseas, un bocadillo.
Para más información, manda un correo electrónico a Alma o Arsel por senderos@sonomaecologycenter.org o llama a Alma al 707-247-5767.
Facilidad de acceso: El centro de visitantes de Sugarloaf está rodeado por una plataforma acessible de madera. Hay un espacio designado como acessible para estacionarse frente a la rampa que conecta el estacionamiento con la plataforma. Hay un baño portátil accesible a unos metros de esta rampa. No hay acceso de la plataforma al lecho del arroyo; uno tiene que caminar algunos metros en terreno disparejo. Sin embargo, la plataforma tiene una sección que se extiende con más proximidad al arroyo y que dispone de un área para sentarse. Acomodaciones para personas que necesitan más acceso se pueden hacer al escribir a senderos@sonomaecologycenter.org al menos dos días antes del evento.
Encuentra más oportunidades recreacionales a través del programa Senderos Naturales en ésta página.
ENGLISH: Senderos: Life in the Creek (en español)
Sat, 6/10, 3-4:30pm
What type of macroinvertebrates can we find in Sonoma Creek? Dr Dan Levitis joins us in this exploration of creek insects. We’ll start off at the back deck of the Visitor Center and move down to the creekbed after learning about the major groups of insects that can be found in the creek.
This is a free event in collaboration with Sonoma Valley Regional Library. If you live near the Sonoma Valley Regional Library, visit or call them to sign up– the ride is included! This event is planned around a primarily Spanish-speaking Latino audience. Families from underrepresented groups are encouraged to attend.
We recommend dressing in clothing and footwear that can get wet/dirty. Bring a hat or sun protection, water, and if desired, a snack.
For more information, write to us at senderos@sonomaecologycenter.org or call Alma at 707-247-5767.
Ease of access: Sugarloaf’s Visit or Center is surrounded by an accessible wooden deck. There is one van-designated parking space in front of the ramp/deck, and an accessible porta-potty a few feet away from the parking spot. There is no access from the deck to the creekbed; one must walk a few feet down on a short dirt path. However, the deck does have a large section that extends closer to the creek with seating area available. Additional accessible accommodations can be made if contacted in advance at senderos@sonomaecologycenter.org.
Do you enjoy a slow walks in a valley, breezes, wildflowers, the sounds of songbirds, the taste of a Douglas Fir needle or a California Bay leaf, the aroma of Tarweed, or watching wild turkeys and California Quail hunt for seeds and insects in the grass? Join California Certified Naturalists Judy Armstrong and Judy Withee for this series of meandering explorations. Each month (weather-permitting) we will explore one or two of our three accessible trails– the Creekside Trail, the Nature Trail, and the Meadow trail. Suitable for all levels and a range of mobility, these Sunday afternoon adventures will accommodate young children, parents with babies in strollers, and people using walkers or wheelchairs as well as those who just enjoy slow walks in nature that stimulate the five senses.
Our June program will focus on the Meadow Trail, an unpaved fire road that is mostly flat although not ADA-compliant. Some wheelchair users have successfully travelled this trail, which during the dry season is relatively accessible for viewing different habitats including a large meadow. We will travel from the White Barn about a mile out into Meadow trail, to the big wooden bridge that crosses Sonoma Creek. There will be frequent stops and opportunities for conversation, photography, nature journaling, wildlife viewing, resting, etc., so bring your nature journal, camera, or binoculars, if you have them.
Tickets are $10 for general audiences, $5 for youth, students, Sugarloaf members, Sugarloaf volunteers, and free for children under 12. Wear comfortable shoes, a hat, sun protection, bring at least a quart of water and if desired, a snack.
Ease of access: There is van-designated accessible parking at the White Barn, as well as an accessible porta-potty. If you use a manual wheelchair, please contact us after signing up to arrange parking closer to the trailhead. Recumbent bicycles are welcome!
Have you heard about Shinrin-yoku or Forest bathing? Here is an opportunity to take a walk and experience the practice for yourself as part of California State Parks Week’s “Nourish Your Health & Well-Being” Day.
A centering and calming restorative practice, it promotes balance and restored vitality through a quality of presence and heightened sensory awareness. Learn techniques to maximize the health benefits and stress reducing qualities of this walking practice. Shinrin-yoku originated in Japan and is gaining popularity in the United States for its documented health benefits. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park hosts a Forest Therapy Series as part of its ParkRx Program the 4th Sunday of each month. These walks are led by certified Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) practitioners. Visit natureandforesttherapy.earth for more info about this practice.
Our meeting point will be the White Barn. Wear comfortable shoes, bring water, layers, and if desired, a snack. The event, usually $20 or free with a Park Rx, is free but requires registration. Not recommended for children under 12. Parking fees apply.
Ease of access: we are unable to determine the ease of access for this event as the route is chosen the day-of by the event guide.
California State Parks Week (June 14-18) is presented by California State Parks, Save the Redwoods League, Parks California and the California State Parks Foundation. Through special community events and in-person and virtual programming, this annual event celebrates California’s 280 state parks and the people who visit and help protect these iconic places.
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For more events at Sugarloaf, visit our calendar.
Every Saturday between Memorial Day and Labor Day, join us for a 1.4-mile nature hike along the Sonoma Creek. On the hike your leader will teach you about the plants, animals, and aquatic life of Sonoma Creek. This free hike starts outside the Visitor Center. Registration is not required. Parking fees apply.
What would life be like thousands of years ago in Wilikos (today known as Sugarloaf Ridge SP)? How are the stories of the Wappo people in Wilikos continuing to evolve today? Join Desi Harp, Sugarloaf staff and member of the Mishewal-Wappo, and Breck Parkman, retired Bay Area California State Parks Archaeologist and former Sugarloaf resident, in this evening of storytelling and reflection through time as part of California State Parks Week’s “Celebrate Community & Culture” Day.
Tickets are $10 for general audiences, $5 for youth (12-17 year olds) and students, Sugarloaf members, Sugarloaf volunteers, and free for children under 12. Meet at the amphitheater. Bring layers, water and snacks as needed, and if you’d like, a cushion to sit on or your camping chair. Parking fees apply.
Ease of access: The amphitheater can be accessed through the Creekside Nature Trail (two trailheads: one at the White Barn and one across from the main parking lot), or through the bridge to the campground between sites 12 and 13. The 0.45 mi (one way) Creekside Nature Trail between the White Barn and the main parking lot is ADA-accessible. The White Barn parking lot has one van-accessible designated parking spot and one accessible porta-potty. Although the rest of the parking area is not designated as accessible, it is an open dirt lot that can accommodate up to 40 vehicles. The main parking lot equally has one van-designated parking spot and one accessible vault pit toilet. The rest of the parking area is not designated as accessible but it is also an open dirt lot that can accommodate 30 vehicles. If you need further accessible accommodations, please contact alma@sonomaecologycenter.org as soon as possible.
California State Parks Week (June 14-18) is presented by California State Parks, Save the Redwoods League, Parks California and the California State Parks Foundation. Through special community events and in-person and virtual programming, this annual event celebrates California’s 280 state parks and the people who visit and help protect these iconic places.
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For more events at Sugarloaf, visit our calendar.
The Robert Ferguson Observatory (RFO) is open to the public at least once a month, usually on a Saturday near the time of the New Moon.
Star Parties: Presentations on astronomical topics are given in the classroom throughout the course of the evening. Starting at dusk, the Observatory’s three main telescopes are open for your viewing. Docents set up additional telescopes in front of the building. Friendly and knowledgeable docents are available to answer your questions.
You must have a ticket to attend, as we are limited to 40 attendees per County Health Orders. Proof of vaccination or a negative rapid test taken within the last 48 hours are also required to attend.
FAQs:
- Map and Directions
- When to arrive: We keep the observatory open as long as there are visitors, but you must arrive within 3 hours after start time to ensure that we remain open for you. Summer Star Parties begin with tours and presentations until it’s dark enough for observing.
- Bring warm clothing, even in summer—observing is done outdoors.
- There is a short walk from the parking area to the Observatory and you may wish to bring a small flashlight.
- White Light: No white lights should be used after dark; the observatory is a red-light-only area to protect everyone’s night vision. We will supply red cellophane to cover flashlights. Please note:
◦ Bring a SMALL flashlight (large camp lanterns, light sticks, etc., cannot be adequately covered by red cellophane).
◦ Cell phones or cell-phone flashlights are acceptable but must be covered in red cellophane. (No cell service at the observatory).
◦ Some head lamps are difficult to cover with red cellophane. Once covered, head lamps should be worn around the neck or used pointing down as they are usually very bright at eye level.
◦ Red flashlights are available for $5 at the observatory. - Alcohol is prohibited on Observatory grounds.
- The Observatory is not open to the public except for scheduled events.
Classroom presentations are always offered on Star Party nights even if the weather is poor. For current conditions call the observatory at (707) 833-6979.
For more info please visit the Robert Ferguson Observatory website.