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Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
Sugarloaf ridge state park Located in Kenwood, about an hour and a half north of San Francisco. The park has a variety of hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult. Mountain views along the Mayacamas, the ridge that separates the Sonoma and Napa Valleys. Due to its proximity to Sonoma , and NapaThere are many beautiful wineries nearby. If you're looking for a restaurant, the neighborhood Kenwood It is also very convenient. The volunteers in this park are especially warm and friendly, and as soon as you enter the park, you can see a visitor center with well-organized information, which shows the park's dedication to management. The observatory in the park occasionally hosts stargazing activities organized by the volunteers, and the rich variety of activities makes this park an excellent choice for weekend camping. If you have time, you can also arrange a visit to the neighboringJack London Historic Park.
Camping Experience
- Camp Comfort: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Camp Space: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Cleanliness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Location: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park has 49 campsites located in the southern part of the park, surrounded by trees, creating a very comfortable environment. Each site is typically large enough to accommodate two small tents. Although the campsites are not large and are relatively close to neighboring sites, it remains relatively quiet.
We have stayed at two different premium campsites. The first site was completely shaded by trees and located next to Sonoma Creek, making it very cool. The ground was still a bit slippery from recent rain, but this would be the most comfortable spot in the summer. The second site was very close to the visitor center and also near the creek, providing a similarly comfortable environment.
Regarding public areas, although the restrooms are small, they are possibly the cleanest I have ever seen. There is a large grassy area in front of the campsites for kids to run around, making it very suitable for families. On clear nights, you can see a sky full of stars, and it is very close to several southern trailheads.
Hiking trail
Hillside trail/Meadow trail loop
Sugarloaf has many trails, and I highly recommend the Hillside Trail/Meadow Trail loop, which is about 2 miles long and marked as moderate difficulty in the guidebook. Apart from the uphill section at the beginning of the Hillside Trail, the rest of the trail is mostly gentle slopes and flat paths, making it very easy to hike. In late April, you can see many wildflowers along the Hillside Trail. Near the top of the uphill section, there is a viewpoint perfect for picnics and enjoying the mountain scenery.
After halfway, the trail descends to the flat Meadow Trail. On the way back, you pass by The Robert Ferguson Observatory, which offers stargazing events for a ten-dollar venue fee. The observatory is very popular with volunteer explanations, and due to the minimal light pollution, you can see countless stars.
Nature Trail
If you prefer a shorter trail, the Nature Trail is a good option.
Lower Baldman Mountain Trail
The Bald Mountain trail is the most challenging in the park. If you plan to hike the entire trail, it is about 7.6 miles to the summit, with a steep gradient towards the end and almost no shade. The view from the top is reportedly very beautiful, and on a clear day, you can even see the distant Golden Gate Bridge.
Following the visitor center volunteer’s suggestion, we chose the Lower Bald Mountain Trail connecting to the Vista Trail to see Vista Point. The scenery along the way is pleasant. Although this uphill section also requires some physical effort and is still rated as strenuous, it is about 2 miles round trip to Vista Point. The trail is mostly uphill but offers beautiful views.
We hiked up to Vista Point and returned. Vista Point is not particularly marked, but you will find a large rock to climb for viewing. Across the hillside, you can see the vineyards of Sonoma wineries and beautiful ridges.
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