Sonoma Valley Regional Park covers 202 acres near Glen Ellen and gives you plenty of ways to spend a morning or afternoon with your dog. The paved main trail runs 1.2 miles and starts near a wetland and meadow, winding through oak woodlands alongside a seasonal creek that runs depending on rainfall. It’s wide enough that you won’t feel cramped even when other hikers pass by, and the shade from the trees is welcome on warmer days.

If your dog has energy to burn, there are unpaved trails looping through the hillsides and ridgetops that offer more elevation and challenge. You’ll see different perspectives of the valley from up there, and the terrain gives dogs something more interesting to navigate than a flat paved path. The park added 29 acres in 2015, which expanded the trail network and created new connections through the heart of the property, so there’s genuinely different routes to explore rather than just doing the same loop twice.

Dogs need to stay leashed on the main trails and in picnic areas, which most people expect at a regional park. What makes this place special though is the dedicated off-leash dog area where your dog can actually run around and socialize with other dogs without restriction. This is helpful if you’ve got a dog that needs to really sprint and play to settle down later.

The meadow and wetland areas are particularly nice in spring when wildflowers come through and the creek has water in it. The oak trees provide real shade rather than sparse coverage, which matters if you’re visiting during warmer months. Bring water for your dog since you’ll be out on the trails away from facilities.

Check the park’s website before you go since parking and entrance information can change with the seasons, and hours vary throughout the year. The combination of easy and more challenging trails means you can match the hike to whatever your dog is up for that day.