Summer months are full of fun-in-the-sun recreation, from surfing the waves to shredding down a new mountain bike trail. But sometimes a little respite in nature can help calm the mind and ease tension in the body.
Here are some favorite Sonoma County spots to relax and restore outdoors.
Wellness by the Spring
Reflection comes easily at the new Shady Grove Movement and Wellness Pavilion at Morton’s Warm Springs Resort in Glen Ellen. Overlooking a newly restored section of Sonoma Creek, a project done in partnership with Sonoma Ecology Center, the open-air pavilion offers a restful spot for stretching, yoga, meditation, and contemplative thought with the soothing sounds of water burbling by.
The resort offers day-long retreats on Wednesdays and Thursdays that incorporate yoga, art, and herbalism workshops, as well as a therapeutic soak in the hot-spring-fed pools that have drawn people here for generations. 1651 Warm Springs Road, Glen Ellen. 707-833-5511, mortonswarmsprings.com
A Jubilant Song
Voices raised in song beneath a redwood canopy is its own kind of magic, like the yearly choral and multimedia concerts performed by Santa Rosa-based Acorn MusEcology. Since 2020, the 24-person group has performed bodies of work — most recently in May at Armstrong Redwoods — that pay homage to the environment.
Many of the group’s shows are held outdoors or in spaces that celebrate the outdoors. Their upcoming fall performance, “The Earth Says,” explores the life of soil with words by Wendell Berry and John Muir, among others, accompanied by original music. Previous concerts have spotlighted birds and beavers (to name a few).
The goal for co-founder Sarah Saulsbury is to raise awareness about ecological issues. “We need to take care of this planet,” she says. “Singing about it is one way to inspire that care.” acornsings.org
Acorn MusEcology Fall Concert Series
7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Sebastopol
3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, Faith Lutheran Church, Santa Rosa
3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, Occidental Center for the Arts, Occidental
Birding for Everyone
Sitting for hours just to witness a winged creature fly by is its own special kind of meditation, and with the more than 400 bird species that call Sonoma County home for at least some of the year, there are plenty of opportunities to achieve some ornithological bliss. Sure, there’s the Merlin app to help with identification, but if getting off the grid is the goal, connecting with other like-minded bird nerds might be just the ticket.
The Madrone Audubon Society, a local chapter of the national organization, hosts free monthly outings for all comers. Or check out the Feminist Bird Club of Sonoma County, a group providing a safe space in the outdoors for LGBTQ+ individuals, BIPOC, and women. If you want a bespoke bird outing, Teresa and Miles Tuffli of I’m Birding Right Now offer private sessions as well as public events through Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods and the Laguna de Santa Rosa foundation. madroneaudubon.org, instagram.com/fbc.sonoma, imbirdingrightnow.com
Looking for a peaceful way to recharge? From warm springs and redwood concerts to birding walks along the coast, Sonoma County offers countless ways to reconnect with nature. Explore these restorative outdoor experiences and discover your next opportunity to relax, reflect, and enjoy the beauty of Wine Country.
