Much of the Wine Country is rural, and excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation abound. Escaping the winery crowds in summer is surprisingly easy in one of the many parks and preserves, or even on the rivers and lakes of the region. The Santa Cruz Mountains and Russian River Valley have perhaps the most open space of all, with giant redwood forests and hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails weaving through trees, past waterfalls, and over ridges with spectacular views. But the rest of northern Sonoma is also blessed with great swaths of wilderness to explore, and even the crowded Napa Valley has some outstanding parks.

ARMSTRONG REDWOODS STATE RESERVE
This 800-acre forested reserve is just a few miles from the bars and restaurants of Guerneville in the Russian River Valley, yet offers some of the most diverse hiking in the area. Take a stroll through the cool, damp redwoods and take in some local history on the Pioneer Trail or a two-hour hike on the East Ridge or Pool Ridge Trails.

The more adventurous can drive or hike from Armstrong reserve up to the 5,700-acre wilderness of Austin Creek State Recreation Area. Camp at either the main Bullfrog Pond campground or hike about four miles to one of the primitive creekside campgrounds.

BIG BASIN REDWOODS STATE PARK
Stretching over 18,000 acres of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Big Basin is perhaps the ultimate outdoor location in the Wine Country. Anyone exploring the mountain wineries or en route from Saratoga to Santa Cruz can stop by for a quick taste of what this park is all about on the short Redwood Trail, which passes by the 329-foot-tall Mother of the Forest tree.

Otherwise this is a park for adventurers. A half-day hike on the Meteor Trail takes you to a spectacular outlook 1,600 feet up with views all the way to the ocean. The best full-day hike takes in three picturesque waterfalls, including Berry Creek Falls and Golden Falls, named for the gold-colored sandstone rock it cascades over.

Camp at one of the many hike-in campsites in the park, such as the Sunset Camp not far from the falls. Alternatively, stay in a tent cabin at the main campground near park headquarters. Despite the perfect setting, backcountry camping is not permitted.

SWIMMING AND BOATING
The Russian River has plenty of beaches, most unmarked but still easily accessible from the road. The best place to swim is in the roped-off area at Memorial Beach in Healdsburg, while the best place for a summer beach party is Guerne-ville’s Johnson’s Beach. In between there are countless other beaches, some clothing-optional, with swimming holes, including the family-friendly Sunset Beach near Rio Nido.

Another way to access Russian River beaches is by renting an aluminum canoe at Burkes Canoe Trips in Forestville and paddling up- or downstream through the forests and vineyards. The more adventurous can rent a sporty kayak at Russian River Outfitters in Duncans Mills and paddle all the way to the ocean.

Anyone in the Alexander Valley or Dry Creek Valley wanting a cool plunge should head for Lake Sonoma at the top of Dry Creek Valley. The lake is a recreation hub for the area, with several swimming beaches and powerboat rentals available at the marina.

BIKING
Several parts of Wine Country offer relatively flat and quiet roads well suited to biking between wineries. The Dry Creek Valley in northern Sonoma is compact, easy to navigate, and full of wineries, though it tends to get hot in the summer. Rent bikes in nearby Healdsburg. Just as flat, but a little cooler and with longer distances between wineries, is Carneros. Rent bikes in Sonoma and take a 35-mile loop past some of the best wineries in the wetlands.

Experienced mountain bikers have plenty of world-class trails to choose from. In the Sonoma Valley, many head for the trails of Annadel State Park, including the fast downhill single-track Lawndale Trail and the rocky, technical Orchard Trail. Just south of Napa, Skyline Wilderness Park has hosted several mountain-biking world cup competitions, and much of the competition loop can still be ridden today, including the Manzanita Trail, which was described as one of the best single-tracks on the world cup circuit.