RELATED LINKS Return to City Guide: Sonoma

The scenic Sonoma countryside is not just a great place to grow wine grapes. It's also a lovely environment for hiking, mountain biking and other outdoor pursuits, with three magnificent state parks north of town.

— Annadel State Park (www.parks.ca.gov), a 5,000-acre mountainous preserve between the northern Sonoma Valley and the city of Santa Rosa to the west, is particularly favored by mountain bikers and equestrians. Much of the park's 40-mile trail system is open to horses and bicycles, and there's a 26-acre lake where anglers can fish for bass and bluegill (fishing license required).

— Across the valley from Annadel, Sugarloaf State Park (www.parks.ca.gov) is another popular spot for horseback riding, with 25 miles of hiking and equestrian trails through the Mayacamas Mountains. The park also has a campground and picnic area, as well as a public astronomical observatory where volunteer docents help visitors learn about the night sky using several high-quality telescopes (see www.rfo.org for details).

— Jack London State Historic Park (www.parks.ca.gov), the former home and final resting place of writer and adventurer Jack London, offers a good diversion from winery tours, with a museum about London's life and works, some pleasant short hikes and a picnic area for visitors. Look for directional signs in the village of Glen Ellen, about 5 miles north of Sonoma.

For guided equestrian trail rides, contact the Triple Creek Horse Outfit (707-933-1600, www.triplecreekhorseoutfit.com), which has locations in jack London State Historic Park, Sugarloaf Ridge State Park and Bothe-Napa Valley State Park over in the Napa Valley. Mountain bike rentals and trail recommendations are available from the Goodtime Touring Company (888-525-0453, www.goodtimetouring.com) and the Sonoma Valley Cyclery (707-935-3377).