SUNDAY DRIVE: Pomo Canyon
What you’ll see: How can such a beautiful place be hidden from so many? The answer is that Pomo Canyon and its walk-in campsites just reopened after being closed for years. Though near Highway 1, it’s also off an obscure road. As a result, many have overlooked its trailhead and pre-eminent hike, an absolute 10.
Location: Pomo Canyon is on Willow Creek Road, a short distance from the mouth of the Russian River on the Sonoma Coast — roughly north of Bodega Bay and west of Guerneville.
Hike: From the parking area, the trail starts by rising through pretty second-growth redwoods, with a series of hike-in trail camps for the first 400 yards. You climb through a short series of sub-ridges and valleys and emerge above the redwoods, then arrive at a coastal ridge for views of Goat Rock at the Russian River and the Sonoma Coast. The trail then descends to Highway 1. You get sweeping views of the ocean, where you can spread your arms and feel as though you can take in the whole world. The trail then crosses the highway to gorgeous Shell Beach. 6.6-mile round trip.
Dogs and bikes: No dogs are permitted on the trail or at walk-in campsites; no mountain bikes on Pomo Canyon Trail.
Cost: Parking, day-use, $8.
Camping: Pomo Canyon Campground has 21 walkin campsites within onequarter mile from parking. Picnic tables provided. Chemical toilets available. No water, so bring your own. $25 per night, selfpay.
Map/brochure: PDF available at www.parks.ca. gov.
Contact: Sonoma Coast State Park, (707) 8753483, www.parks.ca.gov.
HOW TO GET THERE
Inland route: From San Francisco, take Highway 101 north over the Golden Gate Bridge and continue 40 miles to the exit for Railroad Avenue. Take that exit to West Railroad Avenue, turn left and drive 0.4 of a mile to Stony Point Road. Turn right and go 1.7 miles to Roblar Road. Turn left on Roblar and drive 6.5 miles to Valley Ford Road. Turn right and drive 5.5 miles to the merge with Highway 1, and then continue north on 1 for 17.1 miles to Willow Creek Road. Turn right on Willow Creek Road and drive 3 miles to the parking area, trailhead and walk-in campsites on the right. 74 miles, 1.5 hours.
Coastal route: From San Francisco, take Highway 101 north over the Golden Gate Bridge and continue 4 miles to Marin and the exit for Highway 1/Stinson Beach. Take that exit and continue west for 1 mile to the stoplight at the T Intersection for Shoreline Highway/Highway 1. Turn left on Shoreline Highway and drive 26 miles (it’s 12 miles to Stinson Beach) to Point Reyes Station. Turn left (signed, still Highway 1) and drive into Point Reyes Station. Turn right (signed, still Highway 1) and drive 22 miles to the T intersection with Highway 1/Valley Ford Road. Turn left (signed, still Highway 1) and drive 8 miles to Bodega Bay) and then continue north on Highway 1 for 9.2 miles (you will pass access points for Sonoma Coast beaches) to Willow Creek Road. Turn right on Willow Creek Road and drive 3 miles to the parking area, trailhead and walk-in campsites on the right. 78 miles, 2.5 hours.
Distances: 12 miles from Bodega Bay, 15 miles from Guerneville, 61 miles from San Rafael, 74 miles from San Francisco, 78 miles from Berkeley, 86 miles from Concord, 88 miles from Pacifica, 118 miles from Sacramento.