Muir Beach, California

The Laguna de Santa Rosa Loop Trail offers an enchanting 3.95-mile nature experience just outside of downtown Sebastopol, California. This easy-to-moderate trail provides visitors with a unique opportunity to explore the largest freshwater wetlands complex on the northern California coast, making...

Getting There: From Hwy 280, take the Page Mill Road exit and head West on Page Mill Road, away from Downtown Palo Alto (if you're taking 101, exit on Oregon Expressway). Then turn right on Arastradero Road. There will be a small sign indicating the dirt parking lot on the eastern side of the st...

This is a fun day hike that takes you through the beautiful hills of the Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve and a bit of the Contra Loma Recreational Area as well. You can hike here year round, but I suggest going in the spring time when the hills are covered in soft, green grass and the wild ...

Park at the top of Adobe Canyon Road in the gravel parking lot to the left of the ranger kiosk. There is a $7.00 parking fee. There are many options for routes to the top; the easiest of which is mostly paved (although still steep in parts). To take this route, head north out of the trailhead pa...

Doran Beach is nestled within the picturesque landscape of Doran Regional Park near Bodega Bay, California. Offering pristine shores and captivating vistas, this is a coastal gem that allows visitors a more protected coastal landscape than nearby Salmon Creek State Beach. Explore sandy beaches ...

Hilltop Trail Loop is a loop trail in Ragle Ranch Park located near Sebastopol, California. This trail is dog and family-friendly. Ragle Ranch also has a playground for young children as an additional option for before or after hitting the trail.

The Blacberry - Thistle Loop is a relatively easy hiking trail at Ragle Ranch park. This trail is used for hiking and running and offers some cover/shade as well as great views of foliage especially in the fall months. This trail is located on the west side of Sebastopol, California.  The park i...

Ragle Ranch Extended Loop is a loop trail where you may see local wildlife located near Sebastopol, California

Joe Rodota Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Sebastopol, California.

The Pony Gate-Canyon Loop within Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is a new favorite of mine on my list of family and kid-friendly hikes. Our little girls did great with this hike and loved it. If you can get moving early in the day and begin your hike around breakfast time, you might find there are few...

Sitting west of the San Andrea fault, the Bodega Head is a massive chunk of granite from the Salinian Block, a geological terrane that contains Point Reyes and the Farallon Islands, and shares its origins with the Sierra Nevada mountains, the Head itself having been carried hundreds of miles to t...

The Madrone Sone Wildlife Preserve offers visitors a serene 1.0-mile loop trail through a diverse ecosystem of wetlands, oak woodlands, and native grasslands. Located in western Sebastopol, this hidden gem provides an accessible nature experience and important wildlife habitat in the heart of Son...

Hood Mountain Summit via the Lower Johnson and Upper Johnson Ridge Trails is a 6 mile out-and-back trek located in Santa Rosa, CA. The trailhead starts at the Pythian Road parking lot, accessed from Highway 12. The hike takes 3.5 to 4 hours to complete and is considered strenuous. All trails are...

The Canyon Trail to Spring Creek Trail Loop is a popular hiking route in Trione-Annadel State Park in Sonoma County, California. This loop offers a mix of shaded woodland paths and open trails, making it a favorite for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Trail Highlights: Length & Difficulty: A...

Situated in the hills above Palo Alto; Foothills Park is the perfect spot to spend the day outdoors. With hiking, fishing, picnic areas, wide open fields, and expansive views of the Bay Area, this hidden gem is a must visit. Foothills Park is 2.7 miles west of 280 after exiting Page Mill. After ...

Pleasanton Ridge Trail is a 6.4 mile loop. The loop is shared by dog walkers, trail runners, hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. From the ridge your viewpoints will include Mount Diablo and the San Francisco Bay.  This hike from the Foothills Staging Area is an excellent introduction ...