Cool trail I found just above the main town square of Sonoma. Like less than a half mile going towards the hills. I actually found where to park from now on if trying to roam this touristy part of town, instead of trying to find a space near the park and all the retail businesses. Much more room back there without the traffic due to parking sharks stalling traffic. This is pretty much an up and back so not a loop. It goes about a little over a mile up in a gradual fashion about 600 feet in elevation gain. Nothing strenuous but will get your cardio revving. About 50/50 shade/sun ratio but once up top it is all exposed. Up top there is a great view of the valley below. It is worth the trek. Went on a Sunday afternoon and it was pretty popular. Probably saw over 30 peeps either coming or going. I bet it is much more relaxed on the weekdays, which will be my next op. Trust. Great workout, picturesque views, clean air, and lots of entertainment just minutes below this trailhead. So glad I found this, only took me 20 years of visiting this town to find it. As they say 'better late than never'. read more

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One of the best hikes for me. I respect and admire historical cemeteries and I was able to beautifully and admirably mix the two. Instead of entering the trailhead parking entrance, I entered through the sleek veterans memorial and entered the meandering cemetery way. The more higher one got, the more historical it got. Follow the arrows to continue to the trailhead. No I returned where the arrows lead you back and then continued up and right. What another beautiful hike and view passing even older markers. I enjoyed this part the best. I will definitely want to visit and admire the history of it's families, again. read more

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The panoramic views from the top of this trail are breathtaking and it's an incredibly simple and quick out and back trail that the most novice of hiker can do with ease. It's not always possible to get this kind of beauty without a painstaking climb to the top, so this one is highly recommended. In addition to a birds eye view of the expansive agricultural land throughout Sonoma you will also catch a glimpse of Mt. Tam to the west and even some of SF's skyscrapers peaking out to the south. The trail is adjacent to Montini Preseve which is a great option if you're looking for a longer hike. It's a hop, skip, and a jump to downtown which is an easy walk from the parking lot (about a mile) if you're feeling like getting a little extra time on your feet before settling down for a beer at Hopmonk Tavern. Time it just right and your walk back could be accompanied by a watercolor canvas of vibrant pink hues as the sun goes down. Pretty idyllic if you ask me. :) read more

I hiked this trail with my friend Ali K on a wine country weekend getaway and it was the perfect way to get some fresh air and light exercise. We found the trail to be pretty easy with some beautiful views and it was super convenient to where we were staying near Sonoma Square... We were without kids, but this would be a trail that would work well for my 6 and 8 year old and we saw some people of all ages leisurely hiking as well. Definitely check this out before you start drinking for the day - enjoy! read more

If you're looking forward to a low-key but rewarding trail, this one should be on your list! There's plenty of parking at the base of the hill, and the trail starts at a cemetery, making it easy to find. The path is well marked, and there are a few different routes you can decide to take along the way. As other Yelpers have mentioned, there are some rocky parts, so I would recommend sneakers. But overall it's a very manageable trail. We saw kids as well as seniors walking the the trail. I even noticed a couple getting a solo wine tasting at the top. No dogs allowed on the trail. Lovely view of Sonoma at the top - and even along the way. I also appreciated the pretty, stone benches along the way if you want a break. read more

Sonoma Overlook Trail - walking back down with friends - Hiking Near Me - Sonoma, California

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A nice hike for those looking to take a break from wine tasting. It's a 3 mile RT, with a gentle incline and suitable for most ages except those with mobility issues. You get a nice view of downtown Sonoma and can also see SF on a day with clear skies. We didn't see any wildlife aside from birds, but supposedly there are bobcats in the area. The parking lot is an adequate size and there is plenty of street parking just outside the entrance. read more

Sonoma Overlook Trail - Hiking Near Me - Sonoma, California

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My husband and I hiked this trail on our ten-year wedding anniversary trip to Napa/Sonoma. We are relatively new to hiking, so this hike was perfect for us beginners. The trail was well marked, and not overgrown. There were several other couples/families hiking but everyone was very friendly and polite. The red soil did stain my sneakers, FYI, so make sure you don't wear anything you want to be kept pristine. The view at the top of the overlook was very beautiful - you could even see San Francisco. We brought a bottle of rose in our pack and enjoyed a nice refreshing glass at the top. There were several benches, and flat rocks to sit on to enjoy a beverage, snack, or have a picnic. Round trip, it was a little over two miles of a hike. We would definitely hike this trail weekly if we were locals! read more

This trail is great for a short walk that culminates with a nice view of Sonoma! We went early on a Friday morning and saw several gray deer before the trail got busy. The trail wasn't difficult, but it is rocky, so you have to watch where you are stepping in order not to slip or fall. There are signs for a few different trails and the few that we went on all were relatively short and easy. Overall, a great activity to get some exercise in for the day before visiting wineries! read more

Sonoma Overlook Trail - Hiking Near Me - Sonoma, California

Highly highly recommend this hike. Amazing views easy slight incline to the top 600ft up and u can see the whole valley and sf skyline on a clear day. Come back thru the mountain cemetery and enjoy the clean air and deer read more

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While you could hear the ping and murmuring of a baseball game on Legends Field, the walk itself offered beautiful views. I will remember the water treatment buildings fondly read more

Hiked Sonoma Overlook Trail on Sunday morning. A nice, easy, and healthy way to start the morning before switching to brunch and wine. Quality: Sonoma Overlook Trail is a fairly easy hiking trail that provides views of the nearby Sonoma area, and on a clear day you can even spot San Francisco in the distance. There are several offshoot trails that take you to other nearby areas, but we just followed the zig-zag trail up the mountain to the main overlook. While not an especially exciting trail, the proximity to Sonoma Plaza makes it a convenient hike to do while exploring the nearby restaurants and tasting rooms. Value: No fee to hike the trail. Ambiance: Sonoma Overlook Trail is just north of Sonoma Plaza in Northern California. The hike we took starts near a small cemetery before winding up a small mountain. Never too steep, it is a steady climb that provides views of nearby Sonoma and the surrounding valley the entire way up. When you reach the top, be sure to check-out the picture, which can help you spot some of the skyscrapers way out in San Francisco, assuming it is clear enough. Crowd: We saw a few individuals while hiking, but the path we took was pretty empty. Service: It is a relatively short trail and not heavily trafficked, but it seemed well maintained. Several barriers and signs were put up to try and protect areas that were impacted by too many hikers going off-trail. Parking: Small parking lot near the trailhead, and plenty of free parking in nearby Sonoma Plaza. read more

Sonoma Overlook Trail - View From Trail - Hiking Near Me - Sonoma, California

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This is not a "hike" hike - for an all-day, calf-tearing, dehydrating sweatfest, hit up a local state park in the area, or run up and down this trail a few times. To find this place, GPS yourself to the cemetery (surprisingly the least creepy one I've ever seen, if you're okay with tombs) - you'll immediately see the trailhead upon arriving, festively adorned with placards, fliers, and maps to prepare you for your quick up-and-back journey to the top of the hill. Gotta give the volunteers props for all the intel! What makes this a 5-star trail is the absolute serenity of the scene - low wind, sweeping vistas, and diverse terrain (with lots of memorial benches) - creating an ideal place to unwind, chill out, and meditate. Sign the logbook at the top and enjoy the stroll. You're close enough to downtown for a post-hike wine crawl to continue the fun. :-) read more

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Easy 3 mile trail close to sonoma square. We were able to leisurely complete the trail in under an hour. The trail was busy and we saw anywhere between 30 or 40 people. The view from the top was gorgeous. Definitely a nice way to start the day before heading out to the wineries. read more

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If you're in the area and have about an hour or so then this is a must. Beautiful walk with little or no effort needed. read more

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Park in the parking lot right at the trailhead. The trailhead is easy to spot and path is well marked. Some uphill and rocky parts, but overall a pretty mellow hike (more of a walk) with a mix of shade and sun. Bring lunch and a drink to have on one of the benches at the top while you enjoy the view! read more

Sonoma Overlook Trail is a gem if you're looking for a nice little hike while in the area--and you should, since, if you're in Sonoma, you're likely stuffing your face with amazing food and wine. Came here on a drizzly day while in wine country for a weekend; it was a perfect day for a hike. There are a few paths you can take while meandering around the trail (see map) but watch out for poison ivy/oak. The trails are not strenuous at all but some parts are rocky so you need to be careful about tripping. Along the path I noticed a stone bench dedicated to Gypsy Boots (see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gypsy_Boots and my pic), a guy I've never heard of but who had an awesome name. Directions to this trail are on the brochure I uploaded. The trail seems like it gets a lot of use so keep that in mind when you're looking for parking. read more

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Before we ate cheese and drank wine for two straight days, we thought it would be a good idea to get some exercise. Plus, I have my limits for wineries. So, what to do? Luckily for us, the Sonoma Overlook trail is right outside the main town. It's not the most strenuous hike, but it is nice, with some great views. The one thing I thought was neat about the trail was the fact that it exited out into an old cemetary. It's just really interesting seeing half submerged tombstones when you're leaving. We also met some cool locals. Overall, not a bad option for getting out and seeing a bit of nature...before boozing it up. ;-) read more

Sonoma Overlook Trail - View from the top! - Hiking Near Me - Sonoma, California

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Almost gave up trying to find this place. Neither one of us could get our navigation to locate Sonoma Overlook Trail. If it wasn't for Mildred A's helpful review complete with detailed directions to... we would have never found it. Decent enough 3 mile hike. Perfect for a leisurely Sunday outing. Pleasant views. read more

Sonoma Overlook Trail - Hiking Near Me - Sonoma, California

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Nice hiking trail in Sonoma. I used the directions/instructions that the reviewer AR posted in order to find it. Easy to get to, plenty of parking, nice informative board at the entrance that introduced the trail (and connecting trails), things to look out for, etc. Easy uphill hike. Mostly shaded. Very nice scenic view at the top. There were some spots/benches to sit down and rest. Our two kids (7 & 10) enjoyed it. Even my 82yr old MIL made it halfway up with her walking stick. Go MIL! The first part of the trail had large rocks which made maneuvering a little difficult, but further up, became more gravelly and flat and this much easier. We were cautious of the poison oak and the potential snakes and luckily did not see any snakes. read more

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Beautiful place to take a stroll and also get a decent workout from it. Stopped by on a Saturday afternoon, and even with the cruddy cloudy weather, the views were still spectacular. The trail itself offers many different paths, I believe somewhere around 4 or 5, but none are too challenging honestly. I would suggest bringing a nice pair of hiking shoes as it can get slippery anytime of the year and it would not be an ideal place to be injured. For a whopping cost of $0.00, the Sonoma Overlook Trail offers a nice break from the wine tasting frenzy that you encounter while in Sonoma County. read more

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During our recent trip to Spain, Gayle and I enjoyed hiking around more than exploring museums and historic churches. You meet some interesting people on the trail and it's also easier to enjoy some excellent and hearty meals without worrying too much about waddling home later. It's now a long way to the Picos de Europa or the Pyrenees, but the Sonoma Overlook Trail was a close enough alternative during our weekend retreat. The only downside is that dogs aren't allowed, but since Yogi and Stella were at home, we were free to enjoy this 3 mile loop to ourselves. The trail offers some nice views of Sonoma, the Valley of the Moon, and probably on a clear day as far as San Francisco. There's a bit of up and down, but it's all a pretty moderate climb and easy decent. We also enjoyed the various memorial benches, the well maintained trail, and a chance to slow down and smell the "roses" The only confusing part is near the top when you encounter the private property fence and are briefly confused by the branches off the main trail. We also came down through the upper trail head, which means a substantial wander down through the Mountain Cemetery. The nearest Lunch or Dinner place is The Depot (on the way), but the Plaza area is just a short wander away when our wandering was said and done. read more

HOW TO GET THERE: Google maps: Put in "198 1st St W, Sonoma, CA" and you'll see the little sign for this trail ("Sonoma Overlook Trail") when you get there DETAILS (if that doesn't work): 1. Go north from the Sonoma downtown plaza/square on 1st St. W (note that there is also a 1st St E; don't take that one) 2. Cross the bike path and go past the police station, sports fields, and the Veterans Memorial building. 3. Turn right on the road that goes to Mountain Cemetery (there is a sign that's pictured in one of the Yelp reviews) -- the green road sign says Mountain Cemetery and there's a little sign under it that says Sonoma Overlook Trail. 4. There is a little parking lot for the trailhead at that corner (1st St. W and the road labeled Mountain Cemetery) right before you enter the cemetery. Have fun and enjoy the hike. It's a nice trail that's mostly shaded (especially on the lower parts) and leads up to a nice view. A pleasant climb but not strenuous (perfect for all ages). We even saw a lizard with an electric-blue tail! read more

It was nice to find something to do in wine country besides eat and drink! We wandered over here on a weekday a bit later at 3pm; there were a few cars and folks around. Gravel parking lot that can accommodate 10 cars or so. It's just right off the main street in front of a cemetery entrance. According to another website there are restrooms somewhere past the cemetery; we didn't find them so we trekked back to Sonoma Square so I could change into more comfortable hiking clothes. The trail is nicely marked and well walked. There are 3-4 spots with poison oak, so pay attention. No dogs allowed on this one; I really appreciate at that as you don't have to watch where you step! Up to the top and back took us less than two hours, and I saw two lizards, a deer on a hill, and then a deer eating lunch just 15-20 years away from us on the hike down. The terrain is dirt/leaves, some boulders, some bigger boulders you have to consciously navigate, and dusty dirt trail at the top. I would probably stay away during rainy season...but that's just me. The view is pretty nice, you can see the town and mountains and down towards the bay. Spoke to a couple friendly folks going the opposite direction, everyone was in good spirits. read more

A mini spiritual retreat. Loved every step. I did 3 miles circling around on one side one day. Then did the same thing on the other side. Both worthwhile but if you're only doing one short hike go the overlook route. read more

My husband and I wanted to work off some of the amazing food and wine we had enjoyed while in Sonoma, we are used to pretty vigorous hikes, this one was just ok for us, but only because we are use to more strenuous hiking. The grade went up fairly slowly, a bit more in spots. Saw lots of little children with their folks, so it great for family hike with awesome views ;) read more

Sonoma Overlook Trail - Beautiful Views near the top - Hiking Near Me - Sonoma, California

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Very nice and easy hiking trail with an amazing view of Sonoma. You can park in the entrance of the cemetery or drive up all the way to the upper trail head if you don't feel like hiking the whole trail. read more

A little rocky, but that adds to the challenge. Pretty easy trail and some great views. It was a little busy when we went Saturday morning, but it's close to the Schellville Grill and that was our real destination! read more

Nice easy trail. Easy to find and felt safe. Good for visitors. Just head north on First street. Behind veterans memorial park. Enjoy :)

It's a short walk to the trail from the center of Sonoma. Easy to find the trail heads. Well groomed trails with nice markers to find your way. There are small signs along the way on some of the trees and stuff that are informative about the area. The views are spectacular and a great way to get some light exercise. A must do item while visiting Sonoma. read more