Bedazzled Ridge

Hike at Jack London State Park on the east slope trail in spring in Sonoma

Glitter, sparkles, bright paint … there are all kinds of ways to add a little color to your life. Nature’s version? Wildflowers! And they pop up all over the East Slope Sonoma Mountain Ridge Trail. Access this high, rolling trail from Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen. This is a long hike at 10.5 miles (round-trip). Early on, you’ll pass Jack’s manmade lake, and head up through a cooling forest of second-growth redwoods. Much of the hike is in the shade, making it refreshing on warm days. After a couple of miles turn onto the Sonoma Ridge Trail, a singletrack beauty that gradually ascends Sonoma Mountain. Enjoy wide-open views looking down on Sonoma Valley as well as glimpses south to San Pablo Bay. The wildflowers are beautiful when in bloom: Poppies, buttercups, red larkspurs, and blue-eyed grass color the landscape. After 4 miles you’ll reach the East Slope Trail, a ridgetop rambler that goes for 1.25 miles. You can turn around and return wherever you like, but we recommend going to the end for the full mountain experience. Return the way you came.

BONUS MEDITATIVE WALKS: As part of California State Parks Week, Jack London State Historic Park is offering "A Mindful Walk in the Park" on June 15, 2023. There is no charge for the guided walk, though registration is required, and so is a park entry fee ($10).

PRIDE EVENT: Sonoma County is home to the upcoming Gay Wine Weekend (July 14 to 16, 2023) brought to you by Out in the Vineyard. The 3-days of LGBTQ+ celebration benefits Face to Face, Sonoma County HIV/AIDS Network.

From the main parking lot at Jack London State Historic Park follow the signs to London Lake and the Lake Trail. Continue on the Sonoma Mountain Trail. After about 1 mile turn left on Sonoma Ridge Trail. Follow this for 2 miles until it becomes the East Slope Trail, where it continues for 1.25 miles until it dead-ends. Out and back is 10.5 miles. Check for ticks during and after your hike! No dogs.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Man hiking up a trail at Montara Mountain, with a view of the Pacific and Grey Whale sand beach in the background

    From Beach to Summit

    No need to decide between a beach and a mountaintop—this hike includes both! Explore the stunning coastal scenery on this 6-mile out-and-back up Montara Mountain and into Rancho Corral de Tierra.

    View
  2. Picnic and a Pedal

    West Marin has all the right stuff for an afternoon getaway: bike paths, babbling brooks, canopy forests, and secluded picnic spots. Combine a picnic and a pedal at Samuel P. Taylor State Park by biking the easygoing Cross Marin Trail.

    View
  3. Sebastopol Food & Wine Roll

    One apple farm, three charming towns, multiple wineries, and infinite natural beauty. Savor a perfect autumn day in Sonoma County by biking the West County Regional Trail from Sebastopol to Forestville via Graton. It’s a 17-mile (round-trip) adventure. 

    View
  4. Go, Tell It on the Mountain

    Want to be king of the mountain? Head to King Mountain, the 108-acre open space preserve just above Larkspur in Marin. Despite its lofty name, hiking King Mountain proves that simp

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Woman walking in the Venice Canals of Los Angeles County

    Canal Contemplations

    With its incense-scented boardwalk, bohemian shops, skateparks, and abundance of body builders, Venice is happily eccentric, and artistic. Exhibit A: Its network of European-style canals with charming bridges, offering a tranquil tour of the town’s history.

    View
  2. Sponsored

    Yes, Seattle!

    Ready to try something new this winter? Seattle’s ready for you! Beautiful by nature with its Puget Sound setting, surrounding mountains, and nearby national parks, winter in Seattle can be a magical and festive time. Ever been in a hot tub boat?...

    View
  3. Wine Down, Dine Out in Lake Chelan

    The fertile soil around Washington State's Lake Chelan is ripe for more than just the amazing apples. Vineyards here yield high quality grapes, and some of the country’s best less-discovered wineries. Locals know it, and you will too when you start choosing from the more than 30 wineries in the region.

    View
  4. What's Up, Winthrop!

    It’s not just its location close to Washington State’s spectacular and less visited national park (North Cascades) that makes Winthrop such a winsome mountain town. This lively enclave in the Methow Valley bristles with a whimsical blend of Wild West charms, contemporary culture, and a mosaic of outdoor adventures—from river to lake to waterfalls, and beyond.

    View