A Splashin' Summer in Sonoma County

Summertime fun is all about playing in the water. Picture it: the sun on your back, sand (or grass!) between your toes, the sound of splashes and giggles, ice-cold drinks to quench your thirst. And with more time to spend with the kids, a day out at water makes for a perfect way to beat the summer heat and have a splashing good time with the family.

Looking to cool down? Here are some of the best places to swim in Sonoma County.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Have a Beachin' Good Time

Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach

13839 Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Take your kids (and pets!) for a picnic along the Russian River on this great sandy beach. Complete with picnic areas, restrooms, and a par course, the beach is staffed with lifeguards daily from July through Labor Day, when a seasonal dam creates a calm swimming area just south of the historic, steel-truss Memorial Bridge. Swim zones are clearly marked and watched by lifeguards daily, and you can take advantage of fun activities like kayaking and canoeing.

Admission is free. Find out more here.

Image Source: Pexels

Spring for More

Spring Lake Regional Park

391 Violetti Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95409

This 320 acre park has areas available for camping, fishing, and picnics. Picnic areas come with barbecues, and five are group picnic areas. Get off the beaten path with trails available for walking, hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. With a 3-acre swimming lagoon and a 72-acre lake, you can be sure to get your feet wet too! Don''t forget to visit the Environmental Discovery Center at Spring Lake for a wonderful all-age educational experience.

Lagoon admission is free. Check here for schedules and parking rates.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Find your Favorite

Johnson's Beach and Resort

16241 First Street, Guerneville, CA 95446

A Russian River tradition for nearly a century, Johnson’s Beach is a favorite summer spot for Sonoma County locals and visitors alike. Ninety minutes north of the Bay Area, this quintessential summer getaway sits in the heart of the Russian River Valley and offers rental accommodations like vintage cabins and campgrounds. There’s no lifeguard, but a roped-off area is set for kids to swim, and a snack bar is available for those who forgot to pack a basket. With canoes, single and double kayaks and pedal boats for rent, you and your kids will not be at a loss for activities!

Visit here.

Image Source: Pexels

Get Sandy by the Seaside

Doran Regional Park

201 Doran Beach Road, Bodega Bay, CA 94923

Who doesn't love a day by the seaside? With its a 2-mile stretch of sandy beach, Doran Park is a popular place for visitors to picnic, build sand castles, fly kites, surf, fish and stroll. A rock jetty at the harbor mouth provides access for fishing, crabbing and exploring sea life, and the boat launch can accommodate up to 20-foot boats. Other amenities include a fish-cleaning station, boat-rinsing station, picnic areas and an electric vehicle charging station in the Cypress Day-Use parking lot. 

Admission is free. Click here for more information.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Go Big and Rocky

Monte Rio Community Beach

20488 Hiighway 116, Monte Rio CA 95462

The largest public beach on the lower Russian River and known locally as Big Rocky Beach, Monte Rio beach is open to the public from Memorial Day weekend through the last weekend in September each year. Apart from swimming, it is also a great place to learn water sports, and visitors can rent a canoe, paddle board or kayak on the serene waters. This is also the location of the Independence weekend children’s games organized under the banner of Big Rocky Games. A lighted boat flotilla and fireworks follow for an old-fashioned family experience.

Find out more here.

Image Source: Pixabay

Warm up and Wind Down

Morton's Warm Springs Resort

1651 Warm Springs Rd, Glen Ellen CA 95442

Located in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country in a place known as the Valley of the Moon, this diverse geothermal springs sanctuary borders Sonoma Creek. Nestled among large oaks and a canopy of rolling hills, it is the perfect place for picnics, reunions, family recreation, corporate retreats and meetings, birthdays, weddings, and class field trips. Loved by locals as  a tranquil and affordable place to enjoy the Sonoma summertime, visitors can drop by to rejuvenate their tired bones in the relaxing waters of the spring.

For rates and fees, click here.

However way you would like to spend your summer, having a good time with friends and family along the shoreline is something that never goes old. So grab your swimming gear and sunblock and get in! The water's fine!