San Pablo Bay Refuge Offers a Bevy of Wheelchair-Accessible Trails
Located along a utilitarian strip of Highway 37, the San Pablo Bay Refuge (www.fws.gov/refuge/san_pablo_bay) is often overlooked by motorists rushing between Vallejo and Novato. This prime piece of waterfowl habitat was recovered some 45 years ago, and today it remains an important wetlands location along the Pacific Flyway.
Although you’ll spot mallards, black-necked stilts, herons and egrets year-round at the refuge, from November to January an influx of migrants, including diving ducks and shorebirds, make it a must-see for avid birders. Fortunately great care was taken in developing the area, and as a result there are a few accessible trails and overlooks for wheelchair-users and slow walkers.
Cullinan Ranch
Heading west on Highway 37, Cullinan Ranch is the first San Pablo Bay Refuge site you’ll reach. That said, since there’s a median across the highway, it’s not possible to access this site if you are traveling east.
There’s accessible parking in the small lot, with level access over to the trail. The 1.3-mile hard-packed dirt trail leads past two former salt ponds to a viewing area at the end. Along the way you’ll see shell remnants from feasting gulls, ducks in the water on both sides, and sandpiper flocks along the shore.
There’s also an accessible porta-potty and an accessible kayak launch near the parking lot, and a nice overlook near the beginning of the trail. And although there are no picnic tables at this site, there’s a bench at the first overlook that makes for a good lunch stop.
Sears Point
The other San Pablo Bay Refuge site is located at the intersection of Highway 37 and Lakeville Highway, just south of the Sonoma Raceway. Not only does this stop offer a nice variety of habitats, but it also boasts four wheelchair-accessible trails.
A quarter-mile hard-packed dirt and asphalt trail leads from the accessible parking spot to the trailheads. The Sears Point Trail begins on the left, just before you hit the park road. This 1.25-mile trail flanks a meadow which is an especially attractive habitat for herons and egrets. Several benches are located along the way, and if the trail is too bumpy you can always walk or roll along the seldom used paved park road.
Alternatively you can also explore the three levee-top trails across the park road from the beginning of the Sears Point Trail. Just follow the asphalt trail past the accessible porta-potty and over the railroad tracks. The path winds around the corner and then gradually climbs to the top of the levee. To the left is the Elliott Trail, to the right is the Sonoma Baylands Trail, and straight ahead is the Dickson Trail.
The 2.5-mile Elliot Trail and the 1.4-mile Sonoma Baylands Trail both offer bay and agricultural habitats, while the .3-mile Dickson Trail also gives folks a glimpse of the San Francisco Skyline in the distance. All three trails are level, and offer a hard-packed dirt surface. No matter which San Pablo Bay trail you choose, you won’t be disappointed, as the avian life is plentiful at all of the sites.
