Hike the Pomo Canyon Red-Hill Loop

After you park at the Shell Beach parking lot, head back up the road towards highway 1 and cross it directly onto the trail. You will see a sign that says "Dr. David C Joseph memorial trail / Pomo Canyon 2.9 miles". After hiking up about a quarter mile you reach a fork in the road. Left is Pomo Canyon trail and right is Red-hill trail -- go right. After hiking about another quarter mile, you will see two hills at the top, off in the distance. The larger on the right is red-hill, so named because of the red dirt it is made of. The smaller hill (also red dirt) to the left is great for scenic views (pictures 2 and 3). The main trail will take you into the dense pocket of forest at the top and spit you out after a brief walk (pictures 4, 5 and 6).

ROPE-SWING: If you would like to go have some fun at a rope swing I found abandon (and still seems in good condition), keep reading otherwise, skip ahead a paragraph. As soon as you are spit out from the forest you will see a line of trees to you left (pictured above 7 and 8). Go under the tree pictured. Directly under it you will find the rope-swing (picture 9)! Please proceed at your own risk. After, head back towards the trail.

About another three fourths of a mile you're going to hit another marker. Go left to stay on the Red-hill loop, and/or go right to explore the top of Red-hill itself, then head back down the way you came.

After going left, another marker will appear a quarter mile up. Red-hill (loop) goes to the left which is a straight shot, littered with dense Redwood forests, back to the first fork in the road. There are a few small trails veering off to the side where you can explore the Redwoods along the way! And Pomo Canyon goes to the right. Pomo dead ends so you will have to go back up the hill, but it is a really nice hike.

Pomo Canyon/Red-hill is a famous spot for the keen locals and is a great day hike overall. I recommend starting early in the morning (6:30 - 7am) because it's a great time to see active mammals. Also, birds of prey later in the day, predominantly Red-tailed Hawks, American Kestrels, White-tailed Kites, and Northern Harriers. Beautiful sunset from the small red hill if you're around.