In brief:
Almost flat stroll around a damp meadow east of Sebastopol.
Highlights:
Locals, dogwalking, picnic tables, easy hiking.
Distance, category, and difficulty:
This 2.5 mile figure eight hike is easy, with only 50 feet in elevation change.
Exposure:
Almost all full sun.
Trail traffic:
Moderate.
Trail surfaces:
Dirt trails.
Hiking time:
About an hour.
Season:
Hot in summer, but good anytime. Mud is common in after rains. Trails may be impassable after heavy rains.
Getting there:
From northbound US 101 in Sonoma County, exit CA481B, for CA116W. Drive west on CA116 about 4 miles,
then turn right onto Llano Road. Drive north on Llano about 4 miles, then turn left onto CA12W/Sebastopol Avenue.
Drive west about 1 mile to the signed trailhead on the right.
GPS coordinates* for trailhead:
Latitude
38°24'20.73"N
Longitude 122°48'41.43"W
(* based on Google Earth
data, shown as degrees, minutes, seconds)
Gas, food, and lodging:
Gas, restaurants, stores, and pay phones near US101 in Cotati, or west in Sebastopol. No camping.
Trailhead details:
Small gravel lot. No parking or entrance fees. There is designated handicapped
parking, and wheelchair access is unobstructed. No drinking water. Portable toilet at the trailhead. Map
display at an information signboard, but there are no paper maps. There is no direct
public transportation to this trailhead. Locals advise that break-ins are common here, particularly at the Occidental trailhead, so be sure to leave electronics at home and hide valuables.
Rules:
Open sunrise to sunset. One trail is hiking only -- the others are multi-use. Dogs are not permitted on the hiking-only path, but are welcome, on leash, on other preserve trails.
The Official Story:
•Sonoma County Parks Laguna de Santa Rosa page
Ranger Station (707)785-2377
Map Choices/More Information:
•Sonoma County Parks map
•Sebastopol's Laguna Wetlands page