SANTA ROSA. This 5000-acre park offers 30-plus miles of hiking trails and fire roads, a network that leads hikers under a dense canopy of Douglas firs, over rolling hills and green meadows, and past a cornucopia of buttercups, poppies, and mule ears. Anglers can try their luck fishing for bluegill and bass in Lake Ilsanjo. The park offers a pristine refuge from traffic, crowds, and the rigors of work and is considered by area biologists to be one of the state's finest (and last) examples of northern oak woodlands.

GUERNEVILLE. Just a hop and a skip north of Guerneville is Armstrong Redwoods Reserve, a primeval forest protected since the 1870s, when Colonel James Armstrong decided to preserve part of California's legendary redwood forests. Today, visitors benefit from Armstrong's foresight, as proven by the 310-foot tall Parson Jones Redwood and the 1400-year-old Colonel Armstrong Tree. The park covers some 800 acres, and much of it is accessible by trails that crisscross the park. A designated picnic area just off the main road features grills, tables, and restrooms.

GUERNEVILLE. This rugged coastal forest, connected to Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve, boasts a fascinating variety of plant and animal life. Its relative isolation makes it popular with outdoor enthusiasts, who enjoy leisurely afternoons exploring miles-long trails. Majestic Marble Mine Ridge provides a dramatic backdrop, towering over awe-inspiring redwood forests, grassy meadows speckled with buttercups and poppies, and tranquil Bull Frog Pond. Historic Pond Farm Pottery, once the home and workshop of artist Marguerite Wildenhain, is also located in the park. Overnight camping is $15/night.

CALISTOGA. One of Napa Valley's more tranquil places to spend an afternoon, this state park features more than 10 miles of hiking trails, designated camping areas, picnic facilities, and swimming areas. The park's natural beauty is highlighted by Ritchey Canyon, where hikers can follow a trickling creek past lush fern beds to romantic waterside picnic spots.

GLEN ELLEN. Named in honor of the California-born writer and adventurer, Jack London SHP sits about 20 minutes north of downtown Sonoma. In 1905, London moved into a stone cottage in the current park and, subsequently, wrote scores of books, short stories, and articles. At the home, which still stands today, visitors can learn about the man who wrote such American classics as "White Fang" and "Call of the Wild." A pathway leads from the cottage to a lake, an old bathhouse, and to tree-covered hills that offer spectacular views of the Valley of the Moon.