Gently graded, with ducks aplenty, a parcourse for the ambitious, and a great summer swimming hole, Spring Lake catches sunset in the reflection of its waters and helps even the most recalcitrant young adventurer forget his or her Sega-side and savor the deeper, primal joys of stuffing filthy old feathers down a sibling's pants and racing ahead to hide from mom or dad in a dark tree. Camping, picnicking, boating, and biking, too. Newanga Ave., Santa Rosa. Day use, dawn to dusk. It's a rite of passage.
Every kid dreams about snaring the big one.
But just don't try to convince your child that the real joy of fishing is sitting in the sun on the shore of a tranquil freshwater lagoon while watching the wildlife. You can rent a rod, buy the bait, and the helpful staff will even show you how to cast the darn line. Pack a picnic and make a day of it. Hagemann Ranch Trout Farm, Hwy. 1 north of the Bodega Hwy.