Sonoma County Photography Location Guide
Part 1: Golden Fields & Rolling Hills —
My Favorite Sun-Soaked Spots for Photos
Hey, my name is Bonnie. A Sonoma County photographer with a soft spot for golden hour and the beautiful scenery of California. There’s something special about a golden hour session. The light gets warmer, the shadows get softer, and everything feels calm, glowy, and a little romantic. Whether you’re dreaming up senior portraits, maternity magic, an engagement shoot, or just want to dance in a field with your partner, these Sonoma County locations are the perfect golden backdrop.
Let’s talk about it!
1. Taylor Mountain Regional Park (Santa Rosa)
Why I love it: Sweeping hill views, golden grasses, and lots of space to explore. There are both wide-open areas and shaded tree-lined trails, which makes it super versatile. My favorite spot for couples and senior portraits and definitely on my wishlist for a maternity session.
2. Ragle Ranch Park (Sebastopol)
Why it’s underrated: Local fave alert! Ragle has open meadows, tree lined paths, wildflowers in spring, and eucalyptus groves. The light here at golden hour? Beyond gorgeous. One of my favorite sessions was at Ragle with the sweetest family last fall and I was able to find a nice little patch of trees where the leaves were falling and changing color.
Bonus: Easy to get to and great if you want both field and trees in your gallery. There are so many cute hidden spots along the trails in the back of the park. An extra bonus is the playground for your kiddos after the session is over!
3. Crane Creek Regional Park (Rohnert Park)
Why I love it: Rolling hills and open pastures galore. It’s a hidden gem with long, winding trails that look amazing in the late afternoon light.
Tip: Bring shoes you can walk in—this one’s best for clients who like a little light adventuring.
4. Helen Putnam Regional Park (Petaluma)
Why it’s dreamy: Gentle hills, oak trees, and a country meadow feel that photographs so beautifully. You can get golden grasses or green pastures, depending on the season.
5. North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park (Kenwood)
Why it’s worth the hike: You'll find yourself on ridge lines overlooking the whole county, with open hills and golden light washing over everything. It’s a total vibe.
Note: There’s a bit of a walk involved, but if you're down to roam, it’s magical.
6. Shiloh Ranch Regional Park (Windsor)
I included this one in Part 2, but had to include it here for the vibes. It’s seriously perfect for golden hour.
7. Sonoma Overlook Trail (Sonoma)
This trail has just the right amount of elevation for stunning sunset backdrops, plus grassy meadows and wildflowers in the spring.
8. Tolay Lake Regional Park (Petaluma)
This spot feels untouched which is a dream for photos with its rolling hills for days, no crowds, and big open skies. It makes every session feel special.
Heads up: Plan ahead, it’s only open on weekends or by permit.
9. Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail (Sebastopol)
This is a great spot for relaxed golden hour photos. Grassy trails, birds and wildlife, soft skies, and golden light that wraps around everything. You get a little bit of it all, some shaded trail areas with lots of trees and plants, the water with a gorgeous heron that likes to make a regular appearance, and just a short walk down the trail there are some nice grassy fields that are gorgeous year round turning green to golden.
Tip: Easy access and great for clients who want natural beauty without a rough hike.
10. Sonoma Valley Regional Park (Glen Ellen)
This park has rolling hills, wildflowers, and open fields PLUS forest paths, so basically a two for one! It’s especially gorgeous in spring and late summer.
Let’s Make Golden Hour Magic
If you’ve got a soft spot for dreamy hills and warm light (same), let’s set up a session that feels like a memory you’ll want to relive forever. Golden hour is literally my favorite time of day, so if you've got a dream for some golden hour photos lets make it happen! Whether you’re celebrating a big moment or just want to bottle up a season of your life, I’d love to photograph it somewhere golden.
📍 Serving Sonoma County & the surrounding hills (and always scouting new favorites and taking recommendations!)
For couples, families, maternity, seniors, and content creators.
Contact me to book your session here
Don’t forget to tag me when you post: @bonniesummersphotography
Next up: Wanting more of a coastal view? Part 2: the Sonoma County coastline — the perfect backdrop and super nostalgic for me as a local!
Stay tuned for Part 3, where we’ll talk about my favorite local redwoods and forested trails.
—Bonnie 💫
www.bonniesummersphotography.com
