Trail of the Week: Sonoma Bike Path

The Sonoma Bike Path is a hiking, biking and jogging trail that crosses through the heart of Sonoma just north of Sonoma Plaza. It's popular with locals and visitors, often serving as a welcome relief from the congested streets and sidewalks of downtown Sonoma.

The dog-friendly path stretches from Fourth Street East, by Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery, to the Sonoma Highway across from Maxwell Farms Regional Park.

The travels past vineyards, Depot Park, the Sonoma Depot Museum (built as a replica of the Sonoma's first train depot of 1880), Sonoma State Historic Park and the open grasslands around General Vallejo's Gothic Revival home, which sits on 20 acres.

If you would like to extend your hike, consider taking the 3-mile round trip Sonoma Overlook Trail, accessible from First Street West. It's a short, steep hike from Mountain Cemetery to a grassy plateau below the summit of Schocken Hill, providing views of Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma Valley and often to San Pablo Bay.

Or continue walking once you arrive at Maxwell Farms, which has a 1-mile loop trail adjacent to the Boys and Girls Club. The 40-acre oasis was home to the Maxwell family from 1859-1968. The plum and apricot orchards they planted in the late 1800s are still productive.

To the trailhead

Fourth Street East, Sonoma

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From East Napa Street by the Sonoma Plaza in downtown Sonoma, drive 0.5 miles east on East Napa Street to Fourth Street East. Turn left and continue a quarter-mile to the posted trail across from Lovall Valley Road by the Sebastiani Vineyards. Park along either side of the street.

The hike

From Fourth Street East at the west end of Lovall Valley Road, head west on the paved path through the Sebastiani Vineyards. Cross Second Street East, and continue through a landscaped greenbelt to First Street East at 0.35 miles.

Cross the street and enter Depot Park, with a eucalyptus grove, historical museum and train cars on the left. Athletic fields are on the right. A side path circles the museum and train cars.

At a half-mile is First Street West and the historic Depot Hotel, built in 1870 and closed in 1923. Cross through the vast grasslands of Sonoma State Historic Park to Third Street West. To the right, the forested road leads to General Mariano Vallejo's home, dating back to the 1850s.

Continue straight ahead through the open meadow to Fourth Street West. Cross the street, leaving the state park, and pass through a greenbelt corridor between homes. Cross Fifth Street West at just over one mile, and continue through the corridor. Pass Olsen Park, Juoquin Drive, Junipero Serra Drive and Robinson Road to the end of the trail at the Sonoma Highway (Highway 12).

Across the highway is Maxwell Farms Regional Park. Return by retracing your steps.

Robert Stone is author of “Day Hikes Around Sonoma County” (Day Hike Books, 2016).