Bike from Santa Rosa through wine country for spectacular views and the thrill of the hill.
By Dan Shryock — The San Francisco Bay Area hills are iconic. High and rounded, they appear as lush, almost neon-green blankets of grass nourished by spring rains and quickly turn gold under the drying summer sun.
I’ve been enamored with the hills since I first moved to the Bay Area many years ago. The hills in summer, I thought, were as much representative of California’s “Golden State” moniker as the Gold Rush, the bridge, or the state’s favorite poppies.
Our bike group travels here as often as possible, targeting the rural Sonoma County highlands that create a backdrop for some of the region’s best cycling. Riding partners Patti Rogers, John Haus, and Bob Cortright embrace the grades even more than I do. Patti values the sense of accomplishment “appreciating what the body can do. And, of course, the thrill of the descent.”
John considers a climb as “a surprisingly simple kind of challenge that engages both mind and body and thus certainly fends off boredom.” Bob, the one most committed to any road pointing up, simply calls it fun. “Hills are a more engaging, entertaining landscape. Can you do it?”
Follow the Mountain Goats
We’re not alone. The Sonoma County Mountain Goats, a Santa Rosa-based group, are regulars on these higher hills. There’s elevation to be gained here and they know where to find it.
“I like riding in the hills so much,” says mountain goat Dennis Prior. “The only way to get the view from a mountaintop is to climb up there, and I love mountaintop views. (Climbing is) also a time to be very social because in the hills there is hardly any traffic, and you can easily chat your way up the hills and solve the world problems at the same time.”
I found my first Sonoma County hill more than a decade ago while participating in Levi Leipheimer’s GranFondo. The event’s metric century route at that time moved from Santa Rosa to Monte Rio, the Russian River, and the Pacific Ocean. The return headed inland up a narrow, twisting ribbon of pavement called Coleman Valley Road. The first mile and a half were brutal: 775 feet of climbing with an average gradient of almost 9 percent. I made it, barely, and then discovered that top-of-the-mountain feeling when I paused and looked back toward the ocean.
Dennis calls Coleman Valley Road his second most scenic ride Sonoma County. King Ridge Road is No. 1.
“The views on top of King Ridge are absolutely amazing and when you start coming down Meyers Grade towards Highway 1, they get even more amazing,” he says. “On different days you get different views of the ocean. Days that are overcast have views that leave you speechless with little mirrors of sunlight showing up on the ocean. On clear days you can see all the way to Pierce Point at Point Reyes National Park.”
King Ridge should not be taken lightly. “The first 10 miles are fairly flat,” Dennis details. “The next 20 miles or so you get in about 4,000 feet of climbing with a fair amount of ups and downs.”
I asked Dennis to rank his favorite climbs. “Here are the ones I like in order: King Ridge, Fort Ross, Skaggs Springs, Annapolis, Coleman Valley, Rockpile, Geysers, Pine Flat, Ida Clayton, Sweet Water, Trinity, and Pine Mountain to name most of the big ones. Skaggs is probably the one with the most elevation for the miles put in. A ride out and back from the Warm Springs Dam to Stewarts Point and back is 72 miles and 10,750 feet.”
Is anyone tired while simply reading that?
Testing Oneself
How would you fare on these rides? Take a look by clicking the linked hills above for the Mountain Goats’ route maps posted on RideWithGPS.
While you’re here, consider registering for one of several organized cycling events. Here are some possibilities.
- Levi’s GranFondo – The route, hosted by former professional cyclist Levi Leipheimer, has changed since I first rode it. There are seven routes ranging from a 10-mile family outing to a 137-mile, 13,867-foot expedition called “The Growler.” Event date: April 25, 2026. Find information, route maps and registration at www.levisgranfondo.com. Contact: Erica Gordon, 707-800-3020, [email protected]
- Wine Country Century – This annual event, staged by the Santa Rosa Cycling Club, offers three routes that explore Sonoma wine country’s valleys and hills. Some traditional event routes have changed in recent years to avoid Sonoma County road construction projects. The 100-mile century ride includes nearly 5,000 feet of elevation gain while reaching Monte Rio, Guerneville, and Geyserville. The 62-mile metric century offers a more comfortable 2,600 feet. There’s also a bumpy 34-miler that loops from Santa Rosa to Healdsburg and back. Event date: May 2, 2026. Registration closes April 15. This event typically sells out by mid-to-late March, organizers say. Find information, route maps, and registration at www.winecountrycentury.com. Contact: Lorenzo Freschet, 707-483-6965, [email protected]
- Giro Bello – The Giro Bello unveils new routes this year that take you “through the redwood ridges of west county, the cool ocean air of our coastal region, and patchwork of serene pastures and vineyards of south county,” according to the website. A 103-mile ride includes 6,400 feet of climbing while the metric century extends for 64 miles and 3,800 feet. A 33-mile ride offers a quick loop with 1,500 feet of elevation gain. Event date: June 27, 2026. Find information, route maps, and registration at www.girobello.com. Contact: r[email protected]
- Tour de Fuzz – This event, promoted as the “funnest ride” in Northern California, tours wine country with three distances – 34, 62, and 100 miles. Climbing during the long ride is concentrated on a 25-mile, out-and-back extension past Lake Sonoma reservoir on Rockpile Road. Watch that grade heading west over the bridge. Event date: Sept. 5, 2026. The Tour de Fuzz benefits the Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Service in Sonoma County. Find information, route maps, and registration at www.tourdefuzz.org. Contact: i[email protected]
Travel Support
I rely on local tourism offices for on-the-ground information and resources including lodging and restaurants. Consider researching a Sonoma County cycling adventure on the Visit Santa Rosa website.
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