8 Activities for Adrenaline Junkies in Sonoma County

If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush while in Wine County, Sonoma County has you covered. 

Of course, it’s true that Sonoma County built its reputation on laid-back luxury, slow-paced living, and being a place you visit to be able to sit back and relax. But that’s not the whole story.

Here are eight Sonoma County activities that will be sure to get your heart pumping:

Take a Helicopter Ride with Helico Sonoma, Santa Rosa

Hop into a private helicopter with your pilot, choose a route, and grab your camera! Flying over Sonoma Wine Country is a memorable and fun experience with Helico Sonoma Tours. Unbeatable views await of vineyards, the Russian River, the Pacific Ocean, Lake Sonoma, and more.

Go Skydiving with NorCal Skydiving, Cloverdale

There’s nothing like jumping out of a perfectly good plane for an extreme thrill. NorCal Skydiving in Cloverdale gives you the opportunity to skydive above one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. You’ll jump from more than two miles up, falling at 120 mph towards the beautiful Russian River.

Surf With Bodega Bay Surf Shack, Bodega Bay

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced surfer, the Bodega Bay Surf Shack offers surfing lessons 365 a year in Sonoma County with experienced pros. You can rent all the gear, including surfboards, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and more. Choose from group lessons, private sessions, and summer camps for a thrilling activity.

Test Your Speed at Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma

For those who enjoy heart-pumping action on the racetrack, Sonoma Raceway is a motorsports complex with events scheduled throughout the year in the town of Sonoma. You can even get behind the wheel during an exciting session offered on the Sonoma Raceway Experiences Calendar. Drive a race car on this famous course with an instructor or have a blast in a go-kart here on California’s longest track.

Zip through the Redwoods with Sonoma Zipline Adventures

If you want to do something thrilling and beautiful, zipline through the California Redwoods with Sonoma Zipline Adventures! The course includes seven ziplines, two sky bridges, a magnificent spiral staircase, and a rappel to the forest floor. If you’re feeling adventurous, try their popular Night Flight to see the sky full of stars!

Fly Over the Pacific with Spirits Up, Petaluma

Hop into a flying trike with an open cockpit, where you can marvel at breathtaking sights over the rivers, mountains, redwoods, and oceans of scenic Sonoma County, California. Not only will you get a birds-eye view, but the open-air design gives you the actual feeling of soaring like a bird above beautiful Sonoma Wine Country.

Other unique aerial tours in Sonoma County include North Coast Air and Vintage Aircraft Co.

Cruise the Ocean with Bodega Bay Sailing, Bodega Bay

Be on the lookout for whales, dolphins, sea lions and harbor seals during this 3-hour sailing tour! Bodega Bay Sailing is a one-of-a-kind coastal excursion on a beautiful 33 foot sailboat.

And if you’re feeling more adventurous than a nice leisurely sail, they also offer an ‘Extreme Sailing’ trip: a three-day trip that sails to Bodega Bay, Pt. Reyes and Tomales Bay. 

Paddle the River with Rubicon Adventures, Forestville

Glide over the Russian River on a stand-up paddleboard with Rubicon Adventures and half-day scenic adventures. Watch for river otters, Great Blue Herons, belted kingfishers, and osprey. Options may include a flat water paddle along the bird estuary, a surf clinic, or yoga sessions with paddleboards.

Looking for more fun things to do?

Take a look at the many outdoor activities to enjoy in Sonoma County and go wine tasting at Sonoma County’s 425+ wineries.

Enjoy farm-to-table delights at great restaurants in Sonoma Wine Country and discover Sonoma County hotels and unique lodging.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more ideas. 

Together, we can protect and preserve the beauty and natural resources of Sonoma County for generations to come. Check out our page on Sustainable Travel, and look over the Leave No Trace Seven Principles. 

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Written by Sonoma Insider Mariah Harkey