Hiking distance: 2.4-mile double loop
Hiking time:- 1.5 hours
Configuration: double loop
Elevation gain: 50 feet
Difficulty: easy
Exposure: mostly open meadows
Dogs: allowed
Maps: U.S.G.S. Sebastopol
Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail Map
The Laguna de Santa Rosa is Sonoma's largest freshwater wetland, comprised of a 30,000-acre complex of open waters, verdant wetlands, expansive grasslands, perennial marshes, oak and ash savanna, riparian forest, vernal pools, and ponds. The wetland, extending from Forestville to Cotati, serves as a huge storage pond during heavy rains and is a critical flood basin for the Russian River. The laguna provides a stopover for thousands of native and migrating birds along the Pacific Flyway, with more than 200 species of birds.
The Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail is a multi-use hiking, biking, and equestrian trail that winds along the east side of the water-way's main channel. A 1.8-mile trail connects Highway 12 in Sebastopol with Occidental Road just to the north, with trailheads along each road. The trails opened to the public in 2012.
This hike winds through the Laguna de Santa Rosa Wetland Preserve and the adjacent Kelly Farm along a 2.4-mile double loop. The route travels through mostly open grasslands dotted with oaks, eucalyptus, and blackberry vines. The trail circles Kelly Pond, frequently teeming with birds. There is a bench that offers an overlook of the pond and a distant view of Mount Saint Helena. A -pedestrian-only path drops into the floodplain and parallels the Laguna waterway in lush riparian forest.
___
To the trailhead
Hwy 12 • Sebastopol
38.405262, -122.811029
The Highway 12 (southern trailhead) is located along the eastern edge of Sebastopol.
From Sebastopol Road (Highway 12) and Main Street in downtown Sebastopol, drive 0.7 miles east on Sebastopol Road to the signed Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail turnoff on the left. It is located just east of the Chevron gas station. Turn left, then another quick left into the parking lot. A parking fee is not required.
From Santa Rosa, drive 5.5 miles west on Highway 12 to the posted trailhead turnoff on the right.
The northern trailhead is located at 5420 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa.
The hike
From the trailhead kiosk, take the well-defined trail north to a posted junction at 100 yards. The left fork (the return route) leads to the Laguna Wetland Preserve. Begin the loop straight ahead, staying on the Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail. Skirt the east edge of Meadowlark Field to a signed Y-fork at 0.3 miles. Stay to the right and follow the raised path, overlooking the open meadows and a view of Mount Saint Helena. Continue to a gated pedestrian trail on the left at 0.8 miles. To the left is the return route. For now, continue straight along the east side of a vineyard to an overlook with benches at Kelly Pond. A half-mile trail circles the pond, a popular habitat for the birds. Views of the pond extend along the west and south sides. From here, it is 0.6 miles north to the Occidental Road trailhead.
After circling the pond, return 0.2 miles to the pedestrian gate, now on the right. Pass through the gate and head west through the meadow. Curve left and walk south to a T-junction. Bear right and stroll through a mixed riparian forest (predominantly oaks) to a signed junction with the Laguna Wetland Preserve on the right (Hike 65). Walk 35 yards to the right to the banks of the wide creek channel and a summer floating bridge.
Return to the forested main trail and proceed south, parallel to the creek channel. Follow the east banks of the waterway towards Highway 12. Curve left, skirting the south end of the preserve to complete the second loop.
Source: “Day Hikes Around Sonoma County, 2nd Edition” by Robert Stone (Day Hike Books, 2016)
Hiking distance: 2.4-mile double loop
Hiking time:- 1.5 hours
Configuration: double loop
Elevation gain: 50 feet
Difficulty: easy
Exposure: mostly open meadows
Dogs: allowed
Maps: U.S.G.S. Sebastopol
Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail Map
The Laguna de Santa Rosa is Sonoma's largest freshwater wetland, comprised of a 30,000-acre complex of open waters, verdant wetlands, expansive grasslands, perennial marshes, oak and ash savanna, riparian forest, vernal pools, and ponds. The wetland, extending from Forestville to Cotati, serves as a huge storage pond during heavy rains and is a critical flood basin for the Russian River. The laguna provides a stopover for thousands of native and migrating birds along the Pacific Flyway, with more than 200 species of birds.
The Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail is a multi-use hiking, biking, and equestrian trail that winds along the east side of the water-way's main channel. A 1.8-mile trail connects Highway 12 in Sebastopol with Occidental Road just to the north, with trailheads along each road. The trails opened to the public in 2012.
This hike winds through the Laguna de Santa Rosa Wetland Preserve and the adjacent Kelly Farm along a 2.4-mile double loop. The route travels through mostly open grasslands dotted with oaks, eucalyptus, and blackberry vines. The trail circles Kelly Pond, frequently teeming with birds. There is a bench that offers an overlook of the pond and a distant view of Mount Saint Helena. A -pedestrian-only path drops into the floodplain and parallels the Laguna waterway in lush riparian forest.
___
To the trailhead
Hwy 12 • Sebastopol
38.405262, -122.811029
The Highway 12 (southern trailhead) is located along the eastern edge of Sebastopol.
From Sebastopol Road (Highway 12) and Main Street in downtown Sebastopol, drive 0.7 miles east on Sebastopol Road to the signed Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail turnoff on the left. It is located just east of the Chevron gas station. Turn left, then another quick left into the parking lot. A parking fee is not required.
From Santa Rosa, drive 5.5 miles west on Highway 12 to the posted trailhead turnoff on the right.
The northern trailhead is located at 5420 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa.
The hike
From the trailhead kiosk, take the well-defined trail north to a posted junction at 100 yards. The left fork (the return route) leads to the Laguna Wetland Preserve. Begin the loop straight ahead, staying on the Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail. Skirt the east edge of Meadowlark Field to a signed Y-fork at 0.3 miles. Stay to the right and follow the raised path, overlooking the open meadows and a view of Mount Saint Helena. Continue to a gated pedestrian trail on the left at 0.8 miles. To the left is the return route. For now, continue straight along the east side of a vineyard to an overlook with benches at Kelly Pond. A half-mile trail circles the pond, a popular habitat for the birds. Views of the pond extend along the west and south sides. From here, it is 0.6 miles north to the Occidental Road trailhead.
After circling the pond, return 0.2 miles to the pedestrian gate, now on the right. Pass through the gate and head west through the meadow. Curve left and walk south to a T-junction. Bear right and stroll through a mixed riparian forest (predominantly oaks) to a signed junction with the Laguna Wetland Preserve on the right (Hike 65). Walk 35 yards to the right to the banks of the wide creek channel and a summer floating bridge.
Return to the forested main trail and proceed south, parallel to the creek channel. Follow the east banks of the waterway towards Highway 12. Curve left, skirting the south end of the preserve to complete the second loop.
Source: “Day Hikes Around Sonoma County, 2nd Edition” by Robert Stone (Day Hike Books, 2016)
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