Friends of Lake Sonoma

Lake Sonoma Steelhead Run Tours      CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE DUE TO TEMPORARY HATCHERY CLOSURE

From January through April, guided tours for school children and other groups are available weekdays by appointment.  Self-guided tours are available every day.  The fish hatchery sorts fish daily and does its artificial spawning on Thursday mornings.  To watch the magnificent steelhead push their way up Dry Creek to the fish ladder to spawn the next generation of fish, come out to the park or call 707-431-4533 to make an appointment for a guided group tour! Tours are free.

Lake Sonoma 50 -- April 7 & 8, 2023

An iconic marathon, considered to be one of the most challenging in the nation, is back this year!  Proceeds from this community event support educational opportunities for local students through the Wilson Winery Children of Vineyard Workers Scholarship Fund.  In 2023, the Lake Sonoma 50 weekend now includes the Trail Sisters Half Marathon.

Sunset Music Series, The Ranch at Lake Sonoma

Held the third Sunday of each month, May through October, The Ranch at Lake Sonoma offers live music, wine, beer and food (for purchase) to benefit charities.  The events begin at 5:30 p.m. and last until Sunset.  Event entry is free -- enjoy great tunes and the overwhelming beauty of a Lake Sonoma sunset.  Dates for 2023 are:

May 21      Awesome Hotcakes     Brass and Soul

June 18     Ricky Ray Band           Southern Rock

July 16      The Blue Lights           Blues

Aug. 20     SoloRio                      Americana

Sept. 17    Johnny Tsunami & The Hurricanes        Roots Rock

Oct. 15      BoonFire                    Progressive Raggae

Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival -- February 10, 2024

This great free event will be held Saturday, February 10, 2024, at the Milt Brandt Visitor Center.  Festivities begin at 10 a.m. and run until 4 p.m.  This event is hosted by the Friends of Lake Sonoma, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Sonoma County Water Agency and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. For more information, please refer to the Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival Page under "Support Lake Sonoma" on this website.

Want to hold an event at Lake Sonoma?

Lake Sonoma is the perfect venue for all kinds of events, ranging from family reunions to mountain bike racing. Fees for venue rental are set by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, but if you're planning an event, you can designate the Friends of Lake Sonoma as an event sponsor and your fees will then be a donation -- with all funds returned directly to the park in support of programs and maintenance.  

To hold an event, contact the USACE at 707-431-4590 and mention to the park ranger that you would like to partner with the Friends of Lake Sonoma.  It's as simple as that!