Three Scenic Sonoma Coastal Trails for Wheelchair-Users and Slow Walkers
When most people hear mention of Sonoma, they inevitably think of wine. And while there’s certainly no shortage of excellent wineries in this Northern California county, there’s much more to the area than vineyards and tasting rooms. Take the scenic Sonoma coast for example, where a 56-mile stretch of Highway 1 offers breathtaking windshield views as it hugs the rugged Northern California coast. And although the drive is a destination on its own, the route also boasts three wheelchair-accessible Sonoma coastal trails.
Sonoma State Beach Vista Trail
Located about five miles north of Jenner, the Vista Trail is a good place to stop and get a breath of sea air. Just look for the Sonoma State Beach Vista Trail sign. There’s accessible parking in the main lot, and level access over to the accessible vault toilet. There’s also an accessible picnic table near the trailhead, but unless you are absolutely starving, hold off; as there’s a much more scenic option down the trail.
Follow the .7-mile paved trail through the coastal scrub area, then take the loop in a counterclockwise direction. The undulating trail passes another picnic table before it winds out to the ocean. The third picnic table — with a commanding coastal view — is the perfect place to stop for a bite to eat, or just sit and enjoy the view. After that the trail continues along the coast, before it loops backs to the parking lot through the coastal scrub area. Bundle up before you hit the trail though, as it tends to get a little windy out in the exposed coastal area.
Salt Point State Park
The next stop along our Sonoma coastal trails route is located in Salt Point State Park, which is about 20 miles north on Highway 1. It should be noted that there are two entrances to this park. The inland entrance — where the ranger station is located — is on the east side of the highway, but the coastal entrance is on the west side. Look for the entrance marked Gerstle Cove Day Use Area, then follow the park road past the visitor center until it dead ends in the coastal parking lot.
Accessible parking is located in the lot, next to the accessible restroom. If however this restroom is closed, the one near the ranger station at the inland entrance is usually open. There are several accessible picnic tables that offer picture postcard views of the waves crashing ashore on the rocks below, just around the corner from the Gerstle Cove restrooms. It’s really the perfect spot to reflect and just enjoy Mother Nature.
The accessible Salt Point Trail begins at the other end of the parking lot. The first part of the trail is paved, and it winds gradually down to the cliffs that overlook the ocean. There are equally amazing views from just about anywhere along this part of the trail. At the .3-mile point the asphalt section of the trail ends; however a hard-packed dirt accessible trail continues on the right. This part of the trail hugs the coast for a bit before it turns inland, passes through the coastal scrub and returns to the parking lot. All in all the half-mile loop offers good access, and some to-die-for ocean views.
Gualala Point Regional Park
parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/Visit/Gualala-Point-Regional-Park/
The last of our wheelchair-accessible Sonoma coastal trails is located just shy of the county line, in Gualala Point Regional Park. After you pay the parking fee, continue on the park road towards the visitor center. There’s accessible parking near the visitor center, and from there, a short paved path leads over to the back of the building. Although there’s a picnic table on the back lawn, there are many more secluded options along the trail.
From the visitor center a wide paved trail leads past a cypress grove and out to the beach access area, before it loops around past the accessible restrooms, and passes another more secluded accessible picnic table. It’s a nice 1.5 mile round-trip stroll on a level asphalt walkway, but if you want a coastal view you’ll need to take the short out-and-back hard-packed dirt trail near the visitor center. Just bear left when you reach the cypress grove until the paved trail dead ends at the viewpoint. Although the trail that leads out to a second viewpoint is not accessible, you’ll get a nice ocean view from the first vantage point. And if you’re not up for the longer walk, then it’s the perfect choice to top off this trio of wheelchair-accessible coastal trails.
