In brief:
Lovely loop up and down Sonoma County oak-studded ridges.
Distance, category, and difficulty:
This 2.7 mile loop hike is easy, with about 570 feet
of elevation change. Overall elevation changes are pretty slight.
Exposure:
More sun than shade.
Trail traffic:
Moderate.
Trail surfaces:
Dirt trails and one paved path.
Hiking time:
1 1/2 hours.
Season:
Hot in summer, nice in spring.
Getting there:
From US 101 in Marin County, exit CA 37. Drive east about 7 miles, then
turn north onto CA 121. Drive northeast about 7.3 miles, then turn north
onto CA 12. Drive about 3.6 miles north to downtown Sonoma (where CA 12
takes a sharp left at a stop sign), then continue on CA 12 about 6.5 miles
to the signed park entrance on the left side of the road.
GPS coordinates* for trailhead:
Latitude
38°21'51.48"N
Longitude 122°30'44.00"W
(* based on Google Earth
data, shown as degrees, minutes, seconds)
Gas, food, and lodging:
There are restaurants, stores, gas, and pay phones south or north in towns along CA 12. No camping.
Trailhead details:
Parking in a paved lot inside the park, with some side of the road parking
along CA 12. $7 entrance fee (if you park in the lot). There are portable
toilets at the trailhead. Drinking fountain near the portapotty. Map at an information signboard but no paper maps. Sonoma County Transit
has limited service along CA 12 within walking distance to the park.
Visit the Transit
Info website for details. There are designated handicapped parking spots,
and one paved trail is suitable to wheelchairs.
Rules:
Dogs are welcome on leash. Park is open from sunrise to sunset. Most trails
are multi-use, but some are hiking-only.
The Official Story:
Sonoma County's Sonoma
Valley Park page
Ranger Station 707-539-8092
Map Choices:
• Park map
Sonoma Valley Park in a nutshell -- a printable, text-only guide to the featured
hike.
Go to Bay Area Hiker Home page