Bay Trail Walk at Old Air Base

We visited the old Hamilton Air Base in Novato last week (June 2016), this time after appreciating the updated observation post, we headed north. As part of the wetland restoration, the dike was breached in April 2014. Now water is everywhere. We saw a few birds. June and late morning is probably not the best bird

Wetland in the Making – Sears Point

In October, the dike at Sears Point was breached to the waters of the San Pablo Bay. On December 5, Sonoma Land Trust had another “open house” to see how the wetland restoration was going. We crossed the track (general opening to the public is waiting a proper railroad crossing) and climbed the dike. This gave

Sunday’s Revisit: No Racing at this Sears Point

Since this area is being breached today – as the next step in restoration to tidal wetland – I thought I’d share this post again. Sonoma Land Trust is holding a ceremony (pre-registration required) as the dyke is opened. It will take 24 hrs for the water to fill in the former farm. Trails will not be

Sunday’s Revisit: Trying to Walk Along a Wet and Wild Coast

Back when I first started this blog, I wrote a lot and covered a lot. This one, from January 2010, covers the magnificent Salt Point State Park (the coastal part) and MacKerricker State Park in Mendocino. There are also hints about Gualala and Sea Ranch – including Walk On Beach that I just posted more about. These

No Racing at this Sears Point

Only the jackrabbit raced away from all the people and dogs tromping his grounds – on Martin Luther King Day. The rest of us sauntered, birdwatched and met up with friends. Landpaths offered a one-day visit to Sears Point Ranch south of the intersection of Hwy 37 and Lakeville Hwy. This area – 1000 acres

Before Pt Reyes – Giacomini Wetlands

We often race to Point Reyes, because it’s a little far to travel and it’s so wonderful we just want to be there. However a few treats pop up along the way (aside from food.) The first view of Tomales Bay can be beautiful. Or even stunning. Depending on the tide at Millerton Point, one

Frog Pond Wetland Stroll

With only a few parking spaces off a high speed road, access to Frog Pond Wetland Preserve in Monterey can be daunting. But please persevere. Friends had told us about the place. Frog Pond Wetland Preserve is part of the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District in Canyon Del Reys, inland from the town of Monterey.

Walking more Bay Trail & the Napa River

Last week I did another walk with fellow-Walkabouters at the JFK Memorial Park along the Napa River. Tule Marsh used to dominate the area until the mid-1800s.  San Pablo Bay (off of San Francisco Bay) was 18,000 acres of tidal marsh. Some of that is being restored. We chose to start our walk at the

Bay Trail & Napa River Walk

Last week we walked a new trail around a landfill in American Canyon. Sounds perfect, right? Well, it was beautiful to be along the Napa River and have views of Sonoma Mountain, Mt Tamalpais and Mt. Diablo. The trail was new segment of the Bay Trail – that will someday go all around San Francisco

Walking in Alman Marsh

Near the Petaluma River and Shollenberger Park is another place to walk – Alman Marsh. We recently accessed the trail from the parking lot of the Sheraton. Most of the trail is wide gravel and runs along the Petaluma River. An occasional bridge across a creek or boardwalk help make this an easy walk.