Lake Sonoma
Lake Sonoma
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
179 reviews
Excellent
94
Very good
62
Average
18
Poor
2
Terrible
3
Maps25894674266
Rohnert Park, CA1 contribution
Jun 2023 • Friends
Lake Sonoma is bothincredibly beautiful and clean. A truly refreshing place to swim. Bad thing is with 50 miles of shoreline, access.to a swimming beach is almost zero without a boat.. So, if you have a boat it is paradise. The lake stretches all the way north. to Cloverdale and there are plenty of out of the way places to pause and enjoy a swim. I don't understand not having swimming beaches on a lake that size. But as with many things in the North Bay Area if you have alot of money there are great opportunities and if not., enjoy the view because that's as close as you're getting. Taxes paid but access denied.
Written August 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter
4 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
RUDE staff, they do NOT care about the customers at all, all they care is charge you.
There is a guy by the name of Jose and a person by the name of Shey both are super rude ....
Sad thing to see how the customer is treated
There is a guy by the name of Jose and a person by the name of Shey both are super rude ....
Sad thing to see how the customer is treated
Written June 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joni H
San Francisco, CA79 contributions
May 2014 • Friends
Lake Sonoma is more than a lake --- there is a huge grassy area, picnicing is around in various places, a marina, and biking trails around it (Mtn Bikes)... and my favorite addition is the dog park. It is about 11 miles from the center of town. If you have a dog, it is nice to drive out on Dry Creek Rd, enjoy the scenery - and when you arrive at the left turn entry, follow the signs towards the right side of the entry. The dog park has water and some tubes for dogs to jump on or go through. A few tables and chairs and 2 swimming (plastic) pools were recently added. It's the largest dog park in Healdsburg, and it is grass. Yes, there are bees. Be careful. Don't bring food into the park especially if other dogs are around. Park on the gravel. It has a double gate entry for safety. Lake: Nice !! Too bad this was not a rainy year as the water level is lower than usual. I only know about the biking trails from a friend, he says there is one to take you around the lake, and it is a fairly long trek. Ups and downs. Ask at the visitor center for more information. Also, don't forget about the fish ponds and watch were they have holding tanks - a nice break in the day, free of charge, and there is a good sized topography-designed model to look at the lake and surrounding area.
Written May 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gus Gustin
Penngrove, CA85 contributions
Nov 2017 • Friends
First. Fish. Steel head, big bass (small mouth and large mouth) HUGE crappie and bluegill .. have caught 30 pound catfish in there.
Now .. Don't want to fish? Bring the kids and family to the rec area below the dam. Also visit the hatchery. There's also a great disc golf course that rides the edges of the park. BBQ's and play ground equipment and visitor area.
Okay - now - great camping. Swimming, boating, hiking.
Eagles, Osprey, Otters and all that go with them. You'l see it all. Wild Turkeys and pigs and deer.
Okay .. now .. go past the camping area - you'll find the ARCHERY range. Yep.
Go up there on any clear night and you'll find the astronomers from all over the western states as this place is listed as one of the darkest skies in the western states. But, don't dare go in there with your headlights on - you might get scolded.
I love this place and spend at least 60 to 70 days a year on that lake.
Now .. Don't want to fish? Bring the kids and family to the rec area below the dam. Also visit the hatchery. There's also a great disc golf course that rides the edges of the park. BBQ's and play ground equipment and visitor area.
Okay - now - great camping. Swimming, boating, hiking.
Eagles, Osprey, Otters and all that go with them. You'l see it all. Wild Turkeys and pigs and deer.
Okay .. now .. go past the camping area - you'll find the ARCHERY range. Yep.
Go up there on any clear night and you'll find the astronomers from all over the western states as this place is listed as one of the darkest skies in the western states. But, don't dare go in there with your headlights on - you might get scolded.
I love this place and spend at least 60 to 70 days a year on that lake.
Written March 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
standpood
San Francisco, CA37 contributions
May 2014 • Family
We did the Half Canoe loop (6 miles) this past weekend and it was amazing. Not as many wild flowers as I would have expected, but the views from every angle were incredible! You have the hills, the lake, and the trees. The path is very well marked and the whole hike (about 8 miles round trip to car) made for an amazing few hours. And the best thing was that we only saw about 2 people the entire time we were hiking.
Written May 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
California_Girl055
San Ramon, CA34 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
The drive to the lake from Windsor/Healdsburg takes you through scenic vineyards and dozens of great wineries open for tasting. The lake itself is tucked into a dramatic basin surrounded by oak covered mountains. We stopped at the marina to check out boat rentals and willo return to do that when we have a full day. One novel feature is the numerous "boat in" campsites. We're up for trying those too. But its worth a trip even just for a scenic ride!
Written August 11, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Healthy94920
San Francisco, CA219 contributions
Sept 2018 • Friends
A short drive outside of downtown Healdsburg, my favorite spot in Sonoma and you find this stunning, expansive lake to enjoy any water sport.
Written October 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BearcatEd
Cincinnati51 contributions
Oct 2017 • Friends
If you are in the Dry Creek Valley or Alexander Valley area in Sonoma county it is well worth the extra few minutes to drive up the hill to the Lake Sonoma overlook. Go all the way to the top, and there is an observation platform with view of the lake and the surrounding countryside, including the Dry Creek Valley part of Sonoma. Great views and it's just a few extra minutes up the road.
Written October 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
adventureguy2
Sebastopol, CA127 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
Sonoma County is blessed to have such an awesome recreational resource in our back yard.
No matter if you like nature, wake boarding, fishing, picnicing, camping or just explore peaceful and beautiful canyons, Lake Sonoma rocks.
In the summer if you can, go on a week day and you'll have the lake almost to yourself.
Boat in camping is awesome. As is the boat launch and swim area off of Yorty Creek access in Cloverdale.
If you live in Sonoma County and you have not been here, spend a day. You will not be sorry.
No matter if you like nature, wake boarding, fishing, picnicing, camping or just explore peaceful and beautiful canyons, Lake Sonoma rocks.
In the summer if you can, go on a week day and you'll have the lake almost to yourself.
Boat in camping is awesome. As is the boat launch and swim area off of Yorty Creek access in Cloverdale.
If you live in Sonoma County and you have not been here, spend a day. You will not be sorry.
Written July 26, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
perryaam
Santa Rosa, CA141 contributions
Jun 2013 • Family
Lake Sonoma was twenty years in the making and is actually a reservoir. It has several long narrow lake fingers that can go 5-10 miles. The vegetation is mostly oak trees around the lake. For locals, it provides a quick place to fish, boat and swim. For visitors, it provides a awesome vista of the Dry Creek area where it is located showing the lake and surrounding 5-star wineries and vineyards. There is only one main road in and out. As you climb the steep incline to the bridge, you will take a left at the sign indicating the vista and boat dock. The vista allows you to the high point and is a great photo op area. Further down is the boat dock, parking costs $5-8 and is very limited. The dock area has a small store. It is woefully underdeveloped for boaters and swimmers. That IS the downside of the lake, swimming is very limited on this boating lake. The beach is largely grassy and lacks. There is limited camping there and some hiking trails to explore. You can water and jet ski on the lake and of course, fishing. People can find swimming areas along any of the long fingers but they all lack nice beaches because of the steep sides of the lake. It is rocky with no sand.
The drive to the lake is for those wanting to see large vistas of vineyards that was once all prune trees 30 years ago. It is beautiful. From highway 101 north or south, take the Dry Creek exit and drive for miles until you enter the lake area. Do not veer off the road. You will see the dam at some point and various parking at the base of the lake. To reach the vista point and boat dock, you must continue up the steep incline to some time.
The drive to the lake is for those wanting to see large vistas of vineyards that was once all prune trees 30 years ago. It is beautiful. From highway 101 north or south, take the Dry Creek exit and drive for miles until you enter the lake area. Do not veer off the road. You will see the dam at some point and various parking at the base of the lake. To reach the vista point and boat dock, you must continue up the steep incline to some time.
Written June 21, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Where is Lake Sonoma in relation to Healdsburg? How far away is it?
Written August 13, 2016
Lake Sonoma is about 15 minutes west of Healdsburg. Travel west on Dry Creek road, keep going until you get to the lake, can't miss it. Have fun!
Written August 13, 2016
Are dogs allowed to swim at the lake?
Written August 9, 2016
We did not have a dog. However we did see a small sailing boat with two dogs on it.
Written August 10, 2016
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