Hood Mountain grows with Cougar Landing purchase
Sonoma County Regional Parks has acquired 120 acres on the western flank of Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve above Sonoma Valley, a strategic expansion that will preserve scenic views and wildlife habitat, offer new recreation opportunities, and support future wildfire defense.
Known as Cougar Landing, the property is surrounded on three sides by the 2,000-acre park and is in clear view of the recently opened Lawson Trail terminus. At 1,883 feet, the property’s summit provides unobstructed views of the Santa Rosa Plain, Sonoma Valley and beyond, and is highly visible from the Highway 12 corridor.
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Bluff Top Trail a whale-watching favorite
When you want a moody and at times dramatic winter hike, Bluff Top Coastal Access Trail at The Sea Ranch is your trail. Wind-swept headlands, jagged shorelines, pounding waves, and tunnels of leaning cypress groves all make this trail an invigorating choice. The Highway 1 drive to The Sea Ranch is always gorgeous — and feels like an adventure in itself — and the travel distance means Bluff Top and the other Sea Ranch public access trails are some of our most secluded. The route skirts the coastal bluffs, offering far-reaching views of the Pacific Ocean. This creates a prime whale-watching opportunity in the winter, so bring your binoculars.
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Bluff Top is an out-and-back hike. Plan to park in the “Walk On Beach” parking area on the west side of Highway 1 (parking is free). Follow that access trail a short distance to Bluff Top Trail and head north. You can follow the trail for 3 miles to Gualala Point Regional Park, where the Gualala River meets the ocean. Or, if you're looking for a shorter outing, you can head back before reaching Gualala. With its level gravel-and-dirt surface, Bluff Top Trail is perfect for beginning hikers. Walk On Beach, with its long, crescent shoreline, is a nice spot to relax after your hike and enjoy a picnic.
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Video: Creating shaded fuel breaks
As Paul notes, when it comes to creating shaded fuel breaks, different sites require different approaches. At the North Sonoma Mountain location, cut vegetation was left as ground cover, while at other sites it might be chipped or burned.
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Great Valentine's Day hikes for outdoor lovers
Looking for a panoramic vista or secluded beach this Valentine’s Day? Sonoma County Regional Parks has several great possibilities for a perfect outing with your special someone. One example is Alta Vista Trail at Foothill Regional Park, which offers a plethora of romantic settings like the one pictured above.
Of course there are many more options to choose from. Here are three more of our favorite romantic hikes in Sonoma County — enjoy them all with the ones you love.
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Critter Cam: Raccoons
Part of their scientific name, Procyon lotor, means “to wash,” and they do appear to wash their food. But is that what they’re really doing? Click the link for more.
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Tips for camping on the Sonoma Coast
Our campsites along the Sonoma Coast can be reserved up to one year in advance, and that means seaside places to camp over the summer and holidays are getting booked. If you’re considering reserving a campsite along the Sonoma Coast — at Doran, Westside, Stillwater Cove or Gualala Point regional parks — now’s the time to do it. Here are two great videos to help get you started.
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Choose your adventure
Regional Parks’ group outings have been on hold to support the Sonoma County health officer’s COVID recommendations. However, lots of outings are on tap for the second half of the month — and that includes a new Bill and Dave Hike, this time at Mark West Creek Regional Park & Open Space Preserve! We picked up the walking stick when Bill and Dave retired, and we’re keeping these wonderful hikes going. Join us on Saturday, Feb. 19 for a 7-mile hike exploring this new parkland that is currently only open to the public on preview days. As an added bonus, Bill and Dave will join us!
Below are a few more options for February. Whatever you choose to do this month, we always recommend it’s in the great outdoors.
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Sonoma County Regional Parks
(707) 565-2041
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