Great Swimming Beaches in Sonoma County
A sizzlin' summer day in Sonoma County - the kind of day that's absolutely made for a beautiful beach where you can relax, take a dip, and cool off.Â
Here are a few suggestions for doing just that:Â
Sonoma County Regional Parks
The county system boasts more than 50 parks, and several offer good swimming beaches. Two include lifeguards:
Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach: Swim, wade, and splash in the Russian River on this great sandy beach. The swimming area (created by a temporary dam) will be open July 1 to Labor Day. The park is open 7 a.m. to 30 minutes before sunset. Lifeguards are on duty daily, 10 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Facilities include picnic areas, restrooms, and a par course. It's best to arrive early on weekends, because the parking lot can be full by mid-day. No alcohol is permitted on the beach.  13839 Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg, 707-433-1625; parking fee $7.
Regional park swimming beaches on the Russian River without lifeguards on duty include:
- Cloverdale River Park 31820 McCray Road, Cloverdale, 433-1625
- Forestville River Access (Mom's Beach) 10584 River Drive, Forestville, 707-433-1625
- Riverfront Regional Park 7821 Eastside Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-1625
- Steelhead Beach Regional Park 9000 River Road, Forestville, 707-433-1625
- Sunset Beach River Park 11060 River Road, Forestville, 707-433-1625
Due to unseen water hazards and changing conditions, it's a good idea to wear a life jacket when wading or swimming in the river; loaner life vests are available at some beaches along the river.
Regional Park beaches along the Sonoma Coast are not patrolled by lifeguards. With the exception of Doran Regional Park (201 Doran Beach Road, Bodega Bay, 707-875-3540), swimming is not advised on coastal beaches because of the potential for powerful waves and currents. At Doran you'll find two miles of terrific sandy beach; even if you don't get in the water you'll have fun building sand castles, flying a kite (for which that beach is famous), or taking a stroll.
Admission to most regional parks is free; however, a $7 parking fee usually applies; parking is free with a Regional Parks membership.
To find other swimming opportunities at Sonoma County Regional Parks, search the online list of county parks.
Other Swimming Beaches
Lake Sonoma Recreation Area (Geyserville), with 50 miles of shoreline, has no lifeguards at all - all swimming here is, as the website makes clear, 'at your own risk.' You are welcome to swim anywhere that offers safe entry. There's a designated swim beach at Yorty Creek on the north side (reached by Hot Springs Road through Cloverdale). It's a sandy beach, with picnic areas, a playground, a fisherman's trail, and a public boat ramp. Lake Sonoma is managed by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. Get more details about the Lake Sonoma Visitors Center and Fish Hatchery (3288 Skaggs Springs Road, Geyserville, 707-431-4533); Lake Sonoma Marina (100 Marina Drive, Lake Sonoma, 433-2200); and Liberty Glen Campground at Lake Sonoma (13005 Rockpile Road, Geyserville, 707-431-4533)
Johnson's Beach  (16215 First St., Guerneville, 707-869-2022) on the Russian River, is a longtime tradition, and extremely popular with summer visitors to the area. There's no lifeguard, but you'll find a roped-off area for kids to swim, a snack bar, and you can rent a canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or inner tubes. Rustic cabins and tent campsites are available.
Monte Rio Community Beach (20488 Highway 116, Monte Rio, 707-865-2487)Â has no lifeguard, but the water is calm, and the place is dog- and family-friendly. There's a really nice beach area, a concession stand, boat rentals, volleyball and horseshoe pits, and a good-feel summertime atmosphere.Â
Find more info about the Sonoma Coast State Beaches here.
See Sonoma County's safety tips for water activities here.
Written by Sonoma Insider Suzie Rodriguez
