01
Best overall coastal pick
Kortum Trail, Sonoma Coast State Park
Between Wright's Beach And Goat Rock • Signature Coastal Bluff Trail • Best Overall Coastal Hike
A classic bluff-top route that strings together headlands, sea stacks, and pocket beaches just minutes from Carmet.
Starting from nearby trailheads like Wright’s Beach or Shell Beach, the Kortum Trail gives you big views with relatively gentle grades. It’s an easy one to customize, whether you want a quick out-and-back or a longer point-to-point along the bluffs. On clear days, expect sweeping vistas, wildflowers in spring, and plenty of crashing surf below.
02
Iconic headland loop
Bodega Head Trail
Bodega Bay Headlands • Wind-Swept Oceanfront Loop • Best For Whale Watching And Sunsets
A short but spectacular loop around the tip of Bodega Head with nonstop ocean views and rocky cliff drops.
From the parking area at Bodega Head, the trail loops along exposed cliffs with benches and viewpoints that invite you to linger. It’s a favorite spot for spotting migrating gray whales in season and watching the fog roll in and out over the bay. The grades are modest but the wind can be fierce, so bring a layer even on sunny days.
03
Forest-and-ridge adventure
Pomo Canyon and Red Hill Trail
Canyon Above Shell Beach • Canyon And Ridge Loop Through Redwoods And Grasslands • Best Forest-And-Meadow Loop
A rewarding climb from a shaded creek canyon up to open ridges with big views back to the Sonoma Coast.
The Pomo Canyon trailhead sits just inland from Shell Beach, quickly leaving Highway 1 behind for a quieter redwood-lined canyon. As you gain elevation, the trail breaks out into grassy hills with broad panoramas of the coastline and the Russian River mouth. It’s a solid half-day outing with enough elevation to feel like a real hike without turning into a sufferfest.
04
Pocket-beach favorite
Pinnacle Gulch and Shorttail Gulch Trails
Bodega Harbour Neighborhood Bluffs • Steep Ravine Trails To Secluded Pocket Beaches • Best Short Adventure With Kids
Two short, steep paths drop from neighborhood streets down to dramatic little coves framed by cliffs and tidepools.
From the Bodega Harbour area, trailheads for Pinnacle Gulch and Shorttail Gulch feel almost hidden among the homes, but quickly plunge you toward the ocean. The trails are short yet fairly steep, making the return climb a bit of a workout while still doable for active kids. Time your visit to a lower tide and you can wander the sand, explore tidepools, and watch waves explode against the rocks.
05
Big-view all-day hike
Jenner Headlands Preserve
Ridgetops Above Jenner • Expansive Preserve With Graded Ranch Roads And Singletrack • Best Strenuous Workout With Huge Views
A sizeable network of trails climbs from near sea level to panoramic ridgelines high above the Russian River and Pacific.
Just north of Jenner, this preserved former ranch offers longer routes like the Sea to Sky and Raptor Ridge trails for hikers who want mileage and elevation. The initial climb is sustained, but you’re rewarded with quiet ridges, wide-open grasslands, and far-reaching views along the coast. Pack water and layers, as shade is limited and conditions can swing from foggy and cool to bright and exposed.