01
Best overall coastal pick
Kortum Trail from Shell Beach
Sonoma Coast State Park - Shell Beach • Bluff-Top Ocean Trail • Iconic Coastal Route
A relaxed cliffside path that strings together pocket coves, wildflower meadows, and nonstop ocean views just south of Sereno del Mar.
Starting from the Shell Beach lot, the Kortum Trail heads north along broad bluffs with sweeping perspectives on sea stacks and surf below. The grade stays gentle, making it easy to tailor your out-and-back to the time and energy you have. On clear days you’ll see far down the coast, but bring a wind layer—this stretch of trail is beautiful, breezy, and fully exposed.
02
Best half-day adventure
Pomo Canyon Trail to Red Hill
Sonoma Coast State Park - Inland Hills • Redwood And Ridge Climb • Best For Strong Hikers
A steeper inland route that trades crashing surf for quiet redwoods and a panoramic summit above the Sonoma Coast.
From the Pomo Canyon side, the trail climbs steadily through shaded gullies and small redwood groves before breaking out onto open hillsides. The final push to Red Hill rewards you with a 360-degree view that takes in the Pacific, the Russian River mouth, and the rolling ranchlands inland. It’s a true workout with limited shade on the upper slopes, so start early on warm days and plan on a few hours to enjoy the full loop feel.
03
Most dramatic viewpoints
Bodega Head Trail
Bodega Bay Headlands • Clifftop Loop Walk • Best For Big Vistas
A short, spectacular loop on the edge of the headland, perfect for whale-watching and sunset over pounding surf.
The Bodega Head trail traces the edge of the peninsula, with several informal spurs leading to overlooks right above the rocks. Though the main path is fairly easy underfoot, the scenery feels wild and exposed, especially when the swell is up. Parking can fill on sunny weekends, but the further you follow the loop, the quieter it gets and the better the views become.
04
Best hidden-gem option
Pinnacle Gulch and Shorttail Gulch Trails
Bodega Bay South Shore • Narrow Ravine And Beach Access Trails • Quiet Tucked-Away Ravine
Two short, steep trails dropping from a neighborhood rim down to pocket beaches that feel a world away from Highway 1.
From residential trailheads near Bodega Harbour, wooden steps and dirt paths descend through coastal scrub into tight, echoing gullies. At the bottom you’re dropped onto small cobbled beaches framed by cliffs, great for tidepooling when the surf is calm and the tide is low. The climb back out is stout but brief, and these trails tend to stay calmer than the marquee state park stops up the road.
05
Best mix of river and surf scenery
Goat Rock and Blind Beach Trails
Sonoma Coast State Park - Goat Rock • River-Mouth And Oceanfront Walks • Scenic Stroll Choice
Easy paths weave between the Russian River mouth, rugged sea stacks, and wide beaches, offering classic Sonoma Coast scenery with minimal effort.
Short trails around the Goat Rock entrance let you wander between overlooks of the river estuary and the open Pacific, with the dramatic Goat Rock formation always in view. You can drop down to the sand at Goat Rock Beach or Blind Beach for a longer shoreline walk, keeping an eye on signs about waves and protected wildlife areas. It’s an ideal spot for a low-key leg stretch when you want big landscape without committing to a long hike.