11 Best Places to Paddle Board in Sonoma County: a Complete Guide to Both Popular and Hidden Spots
Between its lush redwood groves and iconic California golden hills, Sonoma offers a range of idyllic spots to get out on the water, year-round. Here, we rank our top 11 spots to paddle board in Sonoma County.
(Prefer kayaking to paddle boarding? All of the spots below are equally suited for kayaks, as well.)
Jump to:
- #11. Spring Lake Regional Park
- #10. Lake Sonoma
- #9. Russian River: Veterans Memorial Beach + upriver
- #8. Bodega Harbor
- #7. Tomales Bay
- #6. Riverfront Regional Park
- #5. Russian River: Veterans Memorial Beach to Wohler Bridge
- #4. Russian River: Steelhead Beach to Sunset Beach
- #3. Russian River: Johnson’s Beach and Guerneville River Park
- #2. Russian River: Monte Rio
- #1. Russian River: Jenner
#11. Spring Lake Regional Park
Town: Santa Rosa
Type of Paddle: out-and-back
Rentals: both SUPs and kayaks via Sonoma County Regional Parks
Where to Launch: either Newanga Avenue ramp or Violetti Road lot
Located on the east side of Santa Rosa off Highway 12, the 72-acre reservoir is perfect for more languid paddles along the shores of this popular recreation area. While not overly adventurous, it’s a great spot for beginners or those just looking to get a quick dose of fresh air.
#10. Lake Sonoma
Nearest Town: Geyserville, Cloverdale
Type of Paddle: out-and-back
Rentals: both SUPs and kayaks at Lake Sonoma Rentals
Where to Launch: Lake Sonoma boat launch
Tucked into the hills halfway between Geyserville and Cloverdale, this man-made reservoir boasts 50 miles of shoreline to explore. And while our personal preference leans more towards the county’s lush, forested areas rather than the dry grasslands, Lake Sonoma is arguably one of the easiest paddle spots in the area.
The water is calm, and the dedicated boat launch makes it easy to put in and take out.
#9. Russian River: Veterans Memorial Beach + Upriver
Town: Healdsburg
Type of Paddle: either out-and-back or point-to-point (approx. 1.5–2 hours)
Rentals: SUPs via Russian River Paddle Boards or kayaks at Russian River Adventures
Where to Launch: either Veterans Memorial Beach parking lot (out-and-back) or Del Rio Woods shore launch (point-to-point)
A popular spot on the Russian River for swimming and picnicking, Veterans Memorial Beach is bounded by a seasonal dam, just downstream. The effect is a contained recreation area that provides calm waters for beginner paddlers — although more advanced paddlers will enjoy it too!
From the shore launch, you can paddle upstream as far as you desire before drifting back down to the park. You’ll wind along the backside of Healdsburg, glimpsing the picturesque homes that line the river’s edge.
For a point-to-point paddle, you can stage a car at Veterans Memorial Beach (your take-out spot) before launching upriver at Del Rio Woods for a 1.5–2 hour paddle back.
#8. Bodega Harbor
Town: Bodega Bay
Type of Paddle: out-and-back
Rentals: both SUPs and kayaks at Bodega Bay Kayak
Where to Launch: either Doran Regional Park boat ramp or Westside Regional Park boat ramp
Long a destination of Bay Area day trippers, Bodega Harbor provides the exhilaration of open water paddling, while also being protected from the mighty Pacific just over the headlands.
You’ll still have the currents and small swells that come with a bigger adventure, so it’s not recommended for beginner SUPers still finding their balance. But those up for the challenge will enjoy a “wilder” outing, and work up an appetite for the local seafood afterwards.
#7. Tomales Bay
Town: Inverness
Type of Paddle: out-and-back
Rentals: both SUPs and kayaks at Blue Waters Kayak or kayaks at Tomales Bay Expeditions
Where to Launch: either Hearts Desire beach or Chicken Ranch beach on the west side, Millerton Point or Miller boat launch on the east side
Tomales Bay is a very similar experience to Bodega Bay (above), but with slightly more protected inlets, hence we’re ranking it just a smidge higher than Bodega.
You’ll still have the stronger currents and swells that come with paddling in a larger body of water, but the long and narrow Tomales Bay is protected by landmass on three sides, thus tempering the worst of open water paddling conditions.
Another reason to rank Tomales Bay high? Grabbing a bite to eat afterwards at the Marshall Store, with some of the freshest seafood around.
#6. Riverfront Regional Park
Town: Windsor
Type of Paddle: out-and-back
Rentals: none onsite. SUPs can be picked up at Russian River Paddleboards in Windsor, or kayaks at Burke’s.
Where to Launch: Shore launch. Boards must be carried from the parking lot to either Lake Wilson (directly off the parking lot) or Lake Benoist (0.18 miles walk down the main trail).
Riverfront Regional Park is a delightful little spot tucked off Eastside Road with jogging and horse trails, a towering redwood grove, and two of the prettiest contained lakes for paddle boarding in Sonoma. Neither lake is that extensive, but each make an enjoyable 1-hour outing.
Lake Wilson’s banks come right up to the parking lot, for an easy scramble with your paddle board or kayak. Alternatively, if you’re willing to carry them 0.18 miles, Lake Benoist offers a shore launch to the larger of the two lakes.
#5. Russian River: Veterans Memorial Beach to Wohler Bridge
Town: Healdsburg
Type of Paddle: point-to-point (approx. 4 hours)
Rentals: SUPs at Russian River Paddle Boards or kayaks at Russian River Adventures
Where to Launch: Shore launch from Veterans Memorial Beach parking lot
As mentioned in #9 above, a man-made dam bounds Veterans Memorial Beach. If you don’t want to linger near the beach or paddle upriver, then Wohler Bridge is a great option for a 4-hour point-to-point adventure.
First, stage a car at Wohler Bridge boat launch (your take-out spot) before launching at Veterans Memorial Beach just below the dam. With a gentle downstream current, you’ll pass along the backside of Riverfront Regional Park before ending at the Wohler Bridge boat ramp.
#4. Russian River: Steelhead Beach to Sunset Beach
Town: Forestville
Type of Paddle: point-to-point (approx. 2 hours)
Rentals: none onsite. SUPs can be picked up at Russian River Paddleboards in Windsor, or kayaks at Burke’s.
Where to Launch: Shore launch at Steelhead Beach
One of the most classic stretches of paddleboarding in Sonoma. First, stage a car at Sunset Beach (your take-out spot) before driving back up to Steelhead Beach (your launch).
This distance of the Russian River winds leisurely along forested banks and under the River Road bridge – stop to give the hanging rope swing a try, if you dare – before depositing you on the shores of Sunset Beach (with a quick uphill scramble to the parking lot).
Most years, the summer water levels drop low enough that you’ll probably need to portage at a few short points along the way. Plan to share the river with leisure innertubers during warm, sunny weekends.
#3. Russian River: Johnson’s Beach and Guerneville River Park
Town: Guerneville
Type of Paddle: either out-and-back, or point-to-point (approx. 1.5 hours)
Rentals: SUPs at Russian River Paddleboards, or kayaks at Johnson’s Beach
Where to Launch: Shore launch at either Johnson’s Beach or Guerneville River Park
For a step back in time, Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville has a vintage “Americana summer camp” vibe to pair with the scenic coastal redwoods of this quaint resort town.
Whether you launch from Johnson’s on the north side of the river or Guerneville River Park on the south side, either option has a public boat launch that makes it easy to put in and take out.
Either paddle out and back, or first stage a car in Monte Rio (see below) and float downstream.
#2. Russian River: Monte Rio
Town: Monte Rio
Type of Paddle: either out-and-back or point-to-point (approx. 3–4 hours)
Rentals: none. Guerneville rentals (above) or WaterTreks Jenner are the closest options.
Where to Launch: Monte Rio boat launch
Just past Guerneville and nearly identical from a paddling perspective, Monte Rio is another mid-century “vacationland” with easy river access via public boat ramp.
Enjoy exploring the inlets along this corner of the Russian River in an out and back, or you can also first stage a car at Monte Rio as your “take out” spot before launching from Guerneville (#3, above).
As a third option, for a more active adventure, you can first stage a car in Jenner and paddle upstream from the river’s mouth (oogling some surprisingly large vacation homes tucked into the banks along the way).
Note: Counterintuitively, if you’re paddling between Monte Rio and Jenner, it’s often easiest to start in Jenner and paddle upstream to Monte Rio, depending on conditions. Winds often blow onshore from the ocean here, making paddling extremely difficult if you’re heading towards the ocean and into the wind. (We learned the hard way once, as the onshore winds forced us to abort our trip to Jenner and turn back to Monte Rio).
On a good day, paddling from Jenner can take 3–4 hours, but check the wind forecast before you depart.
#1. Russian River: Jenner
Town: Jenner
Type of Paddle: out-and-back
Rentals: kayaks at WaterTreks Jenner, no paddleboard rentals
Where to Launch: Jenner boat launch
Our favorite spot for paddle boarding in Sonoma. The quaint seaside town of Jenner sits where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean, and in the span of a mile, you’ll witness the contrast of calm estuary wetlands and the ferocious power of the northern Pacific.
Wildlife sightings are abundant as well, with plenty of wetland and shore birds and a large pod of seals perpetually lounging at the river mouth. Additionally, if you’re really lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the local bald eagle residents.
Bonus: if your adventure has worked up an appetite, stop at Café Aquatica for an après-paddle bite to eat. Their ample menu of food, coffee, and tea is all organic, and sitting outside along the river, savoring a hearty local Dungeness crab roll and listening to live music (in season) is a perfect end to the day.
Do you have a favorite Sonoma paddle spot that we missed? Let us know in the comments below!
