In brief:
2.9 mile loop around small lakes and oak woodlands near Windsor.

Distance, category, and difficulty:
This 2.9 mile loop hike is easy; there is one steep uphill and one sharp downhill that can be avoided. Trailhead elevation is about 200 feet. The featured hike climbs to 540 feet, the park's highest point, then descends gradually back to the trailhead -- total elevation change is about 535 feet.

Exposure:
Mixed sun and shade.

Trail traffic:
Moderate.

Trail surfaces:
Dirt trails and fire roads.

Hiking time:
1 hour.

Season:
Very pretty in early spring.

Getting there:

From US 101 in Windsor (Sonoma County), exit Arata. Drive east on Arata about 1.5 miles, then look for the signed park entrance on the left side of the road, past where Arata turns into Hembree Lane.

GPS coordinates* for trailhead:
Latitude 38°33'39.96"N
Longitude 122°47'52.33"W
(* based on Google Earth data, shown as degrees, minutes, seconds)

Gas, food, and lodging:
Pay phones, gas, stores, and restaurants back in Windsor near 101. No camping.

Trailhead details:
5 parking spots in a paved lot, with more equestrian parking in an adjacent gravel lot. Most visitors park on the street, where there is abundant space. $7 fee (self register) if you park inside the gates. Restrooms and drinking water at the trailhead, along with a park map at an information signboard (no paper maps available). There is one designated handicapped parking spot, and several trails are well-suited for wheelchairs. There is no direct public transportation to this park.

Rules:
Dogs are permitted on leash. Park is open from sunrise to sunset. Most trails are multi-use, but a few are signed hiking only.

The Official Story:
Sonoma County's Foothill page
Sonoma County's Regional Park office 707-565-2041

Map Choices:

• Map from Sonoma County Parks (download pdf)

Foothill Park in a nutshell -- a printable, text-only guide to the featured hike.




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