A family campsite in the meadow Sugerloaf Ridge State Park.

Did you know that sugar used to be sold in “loaves” that looked like over-sized, upside-down ice cream cones? Cool image that explains why there are so many “Sugarloaf” mountains around.

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is located in Kenwood, in the heart of the Sonoma Wine Country. Some of the Valley of the Moon’s best wine is made just below these lofty peaks at St. Francis, Chateau St. Jean, Kunde, and Landmark Wineries.

Up top, in the meadow at 1,200 feet, the state park offers 49 developed family campsites with fire pits and tables, a group camp, picnic sites and trails.

Spring is a great time to visit. A 25-foot waterfall flows along Sonoma Creek below the campground after the winter rains. The meadow bursts to life with wildflowers that wash the mountain with a stunning color palette. California poppies, cream cups, purple lupine, shooting stars, trillium and buttercups blend into a carpet of color.

Activities include 25 miles of trails traverse the oak woodland and chaparral for hiking and horsebackriding. Triple Creek Horse Outfit runs the riding concession that operates spring through fall.

A bridge crossing Sonoma Creek.

On a clear day, the view from the top of Bald Mountain are staggering. At the 2,729-foot summit, you can see the Sierras to the east, San Francisco Bay and Mount Diablo to the south, Mount Tamalpais and Mount St. Helena to the north.

One seriously cool feature of Sugarloaf Ridge is the Robert Ferguson Observatory. This non-profit association provides astronomy education and events year-round.  Events include Night Sky Series and Public Observation Nights. I plan to attend an Aries Full Moon party there next month…

Family campsites at Sugarloaf range from $14 to $20 per night, depending on time of year.

Photos by Lisa Dion