Santa Rosa, CA Birding Trails and Maps

139 Reviews

Looking for the best Birding trails around Santa Rosa?

Find the top rated birding trails in Santa Rosa, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

  • Relevance
  • Name
  • Length
  • Most Popular
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type
55 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Alamo Creek Bikeway

4.4 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Cal Park Hill Tunnel

2.5 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete

Contra Costa Canal Regional Trail

13.8 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete

Corte Madera Creek Path

3.52 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Boardwalk

Cross Marin Trail

5.3 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Dirt, Gravel

Iron Horse Regional Trail

32 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Joe Rodota Trail

8.5 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Lands End Trail

1.6 mi
State: CA
Crushed Stone, Dirt

NWP Railroad Trail

1.31 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Nimitz Way

4.1 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Old Rail Trail

2.6 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Pacheco Hill Path

1.2 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Path

6 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete

San Francisco Bay Trail

328 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel

Santa Rosa Creek Trail

15.7 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Gravel

Aquatic Park Trail

2 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Napa River Trail

4.3 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Napa Valley Vine Trail

33 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone
Accordion

Ohlone Greenway

5.3 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Petaluma Trails

12.5 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Dirt

Prince Memorial Greenway

1.3 mi
State: CA
Concrete

West County Regional Trail

5.5 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Boardwalk, Gravel

Brush Creek Trail (CA)

2.2 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Charles F. McGlashan Pathway

0.6 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Boardwalk

Delta de Anza Regional Trail

21 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Great Highway Bike Path

2.47 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Richmond Greenway

2.5 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Miller Creek Trail

0.6 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Novato Boulevard Path

1.3 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Petaluma SMART Pathway

1.2 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Fairfield Linear Park

6.1 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Fountaingrove Bikeway

2.96 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete

Rohnert Park/Cotati SMART Pathway

3.7 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Bon Air Road Sidepath

1.03 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Browns Valley Road Trail

1.5 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete

Central County Bikeway

2.96 mi
State: CA
Concrete

Creekside Loop

1.01 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Foss Creek SMART Pathway

1.3 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

High Canal Bridge Pathway

1.46 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Lake Merritt Trail

3.1 mi
State: CA
Concrete

Lincoln Hill Pathway

1.4 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

McCoy Creek Trail

0.4 mi
State: CA
Concrete

Novato Downtown SMART Pathway

0.9 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Old Railroad Grade (CA)

4.4 mi
State: CA
Dirt

Sandra Marker Trail

1 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Santa Rosa SMART Pathway

3.8 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Sonoma City Trail

1.5 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Southside Bikeway

1.25 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Vacaville Centennial Park Trail

2 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

West Street Pathway

0.5 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
The Alamo Creek Bikeway is a shaded path along Alamo Creek in Vacaville. The trail connects residents with several parks, including Nelson Park, Patwin Park and Beelard Park. The trail is not just...
CA 4.4 mi Asphalt
The trail through the Cal Park Hill Tunnel offers a quick, smooth ride through the hill that separates San Rafael from the ferry terminal in Larkspur and southern Marin County. As part of the 70-mile...
CA 2.5 mi Asphalt, Concrete
Located in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, the Contra Costa Canal Regional Trail follows the Contra Costa Canal in a horseshoe shape from Martinez south through Pleasant Hill and...
CA 13.8 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Corte Madera Creek Path is open in two disconnected segments that can be linked via a bike ride on low-stress S. Eliseo Drive or a walk or run on its sidewalk. Both sections closely follow the...
CA 3.52 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk
Overview The spectacular Cross Marin Trail (previously known as the Sir Francis Drake Bikeway) follows the route of the former North Pacific Coast Railroad and roughly parallels the sinuous Sir...
CA 5.3 mi Asphalt, Dirt, Gravel
Overview Running north–south though San Francisco’s East Bay region, the popular Iron Horse Regional Trail—whose very name conjures its important railroad history—follows the old Southern Pacific...
CA 32 mi Asphalt
Overview A milestone of car-free transportation, JFK Drive, which runs through the heart of San Francisco's Golden Gate Park has recently become car-free. The 1.5 mile eastern section of JFK drive...
CA 3.9 mi Asphalt
Named for the first director of Sonoma County Regional Parks, the Joe Rodota Trail offers some of the county’s most sweeping rural vistas. The rail-trail is built along the corridor of the old...
CA 8.5 mi Asphalt
The name Lands End Trail isn’t an exaggeration. This San Francisco trail skirts the edge of North America on rocky cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The 1.6-mile trail offers spectacular views of...
CA 1.6 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt
The NWP Railroad Trail runs on an arrow-straight course through Larkspur and Corte Madera in ritzy Marin County. Its name is derived from the railroad that once made use of the corridor: the...
CA 1.31 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone
Nimitz Way links Tilden Regional Park and Wildcat Canyon Regional Park via the ridge between Wildcat Creek and the San Pablo Reservoir on the northern outskirts of Berkeley. The paved 4-mile trail...
CA 4.1 mi Asphalt
If you're looking for a gentle rail-trail in Marin County that offers stunning views of both San Francisco Bay and Mt. Tamalpais, the Old Rail Trail is for you. Known alternately as the Tiburon...
CA 2.6 mi Asphalt
The Pacheco Hill Path is a straight shot along US 101 between Marinwood and Novato. In the north, the trail ends just outside of Hamilton at the entrance to the Loma Verde Preserve. Several bus stops...
CA 1.2 mi Asphalt
The Richmond–San Rafael Bridge Path provides safe passage between its two namesake communities located in Contra Costa and Marin Counties. At first glance, the pathway may seem more utilitarian than...
CA 6 mi Asphalt, Concrete
Overview The San Francisco Bay Trail is a colossal effort to create a 500-mile multiuse trail encircling its namesake bay. Along its course, the trail links 47 cities through 9 counties, providing...
CA 328 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel
The Santa Rosa Creek Trail follows the meandering course of Santa Rosa Creek, beginning in downtown Santa Rosa and heading west beyond Willowside Road. From end to end, the trail is only a few miles...
CA 15.7 mi Asphalt, Gravel
The Aquatic Park Trail travels along a hairpin-shaped route through Aquatic Park and around a small lake narrowly separated from the San Francisco Bay. The trail runs parallel to, and across...
CA 2 mi Asphalt
Overview The Mill Valley/Sausalito Multiuse Pathway is a 3.7-mile convenient connection between neighborhoods, schools, shopping, restaurants, and both a skate and dog park. The trail is paved with...
CA 3.7 mi Asphalt
Overview The Napa River Trail parallels its namesake river through the City of Napa between Kennedy Park and just south of Trancas Crossing Park. It is currently open in two disconnected segments...
CA 4.3 mi Asphalt
Overview The Napa Valley Vine Trail will one day connect Calistoga to the Vallejo ferry terminal, with a total distance of 47 miles. The trail roughly parallels State Route 29, a popular wine...
CA 33 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone
Accordion
The Ohlone Greenway waltzes through the Bay Area cities of Berkeley, Albany, and El Cerrito for 5.3 miles with its partner, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). Doubling as a commuter and recreation route...
CA 5.3 mi Asphalt
The Petaluma Trails consist of 5 trails, each one through a unique and scenic part of historic Petaluma. There is a two-mile circular loop through Shollenberger Park and a one-mile trail that links...
CA 12.5 mi Asphalt, Dirt
The Prince Memorial Greenway is a short urban trail on both sides of Santa Rosa Creek in the Sonoma County community of Santa Rosa. A major component of the city's efforts to clean up and restore the...
CA 1.3 mi Concrete
Davis is a bike town, and they love the trails that connect to the UC Davis campus. For a little excursion, take the scenic trail out of town and through farmland on the straight shot along Russell...
CA 4.8 mi Asphalt
Sweeping rural vistas abound along this rail-trail. The West County Regional Trail is built along the corridor of the old Petaluma and Santa Rosa Railway, which carried passengers between Santa Rosa,...
CA 5.5 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk, Gravel
This 2.5-mile trail segment through San Francisco's Presidio is part of 340-mile network of multi-use trails collectively known as the Bay Area Ridge Trail that climb Bay Area mountain ridges and pass...
CA 2.5 mi Asphalt, Dirt
Like many trails in Santa Rosa, the Brush Creek Trail follow the path of a local waterway. Beginning at its convergence with the larger Santa Rosa Creek, the Bush Creek Trail meanders northward. With...
CA 2.2 mi Asphalt
The San Francisco Bay area's Charles F. McGlashan Pathway was once known as the Tennessee Valley Pathway, but was renamed to honor a former Marin County Supervisor and a passionate active...
CA 0.6 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk
The Delta de Anza Regional Trail is 15 miles long, running between Willow Pass Road at Route 4 near Concord and Main Street (Rt. 4) at E. Cypress Road in Oakley. The eastern end in Oakley intersects...
CA 21 mi Asphalt
The Great Highway Bike Path parallels its namesake road on the western edge of San Francisco, offering stunning views of the Pacific Ocean throughout. The trail provides direct access to the San...
CA 2.47 mi Asphalt
Beginning in 1904, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (AT&SF) carried freight through the city of Richmond, reaching its height during World War II when Richmond became a national leader of...
CA 2.5 mi Asphalt
The Miller Creek Trail is a short paved path that runs on the former alignment of Lucas Valley Road. The trail follows both its namesake creek and the newer alignment of Lucas Valley Road on the...
CA 0.6 mi Asphalt
The Novato Boulevard Path is a multi-use trail that can be used recreationally, but is more useful as a commuting route. Closely following its namesake road, the path is completely separated from the...
CA 1.3 mi Asphalt
The Petaluma SMART Pathway runs between Payran Street and Southpoint Boulevard in the City of Petaluma. The path takes trail-users over the Petaluma River and under Highway 101, connecting east...
CA 1.2 mi Asphalt
Running from Solano Community College on the southwest edge of town and into the town of Fairfield, the Fairfield Linear Park Path provides convenient bike access to the action on campus and in the...
CA 6.1 mi Asphalt
Coursing alongside busy Fountaingrove Parkway, this sidepath is physically separated from the road with a curb and row of trees and shrubs. The trail—most useful for commuting—provides direct access...
CA 2.96 mi Asphalt, Concrete
A part of the SMART Pathway system, the Rohnert Park/Cotati Pathway runs parallel to the SMART commuter rail line through the cities of Rohnert Park and Cotati. Connecting neighborhoods, local...
CA 3.7 mi Asphalt
The Bon Air Road Sidepath, as its name suggests, closely follows Bon Air Road in scenic Larkspur and Kentfield. The main trail begins at a junction with the Creekside Loop at Magnolia Avenue and runs...
CA 1.03 mi Asphalt
The Browns Valley Road Trail is an excellent commuter trail that parallels its namesake road from Vaca Valley Parkway to Brown Street in Vacaville.
CA 1.5 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Central County Bikeway begins at Suisun-Fairfield train station, which is used by Amtrak and Capitol Corridor trains. The station is in a commercial area between Fairfield and Suisun City. The...
CA 2.96 mi Concrete
The Creekside Loop offers a scenic, albeit short, route around Larkspur's Creekside neighborhood. Half of the trail follows Magnolia Avenue—where it is appropriately also known as the Magnolia Avenue...
CA 1.01 mi Asphalt
The Foss Creek Pathway offers a short, pleasant route through the small town of Healdsburg and is lined with public art and landscaping. Open in two disconnected segments, the trail follows the...
CA 1.3 mi Asphalt
The bulk of the High Canal Bridge Pathway runs alongside its namesake waterway, offering scenic views and a sense of serenity in the middle of the ritzy Marin County communities of Larkspur and Corte...
CA 1.46 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone
Oakland's Lake Merritt Trail closely follows the lake's shoreline for a pleasant, paved trip with beautiful views and connections to several parks and attractions right in the heart of the city. The...
CA 3.1 mi Concrete
The Lincoln Hill Pathway provides an uninterupted alternative to busy Lincoln Avenue (and busier US 101) via an "urban canyon" between the soundwalls of US 101 and the SMART commuter rail project. The...
CA 1.4 mi Asphalt
The McCoy Creek Path begins near Carl E. Hall Park, which contains a playground and is next to a library and community center. The path runs through a grassy corridor along McCoy Creek. It ends at the...
CA 0.4 mi Concrete
A part of the SMART Pathway system, the Novato Pathway is divided into multiple segments. Running parallel to the SMART commuter rail line, this paved multi-use path is lined with trees and shrubbery....
CA 0.9 mi Asphalt
As it winds up to the eastern peak of Mount Tamalpais in Marin County, this picturesque trail offers an exhilarating combination of far-reaching views, history and challenge. The trail follows the...
CA 4.4 mi Dirt
The Redwood Highway/San Clemente Drive Paths combine to parallel their connecting roadways on the edge of Corte Madera. The combined trail is more scenic than your average sidepath: to the east, views...
CA 1.21 mi Asphalt
The Sandra Marker Trail runs for a mile on an east-west course through Larkspur, linking the Redwood Highway/San Clemente Drive Paths in the east with the popular NWP Railroad Trail in the west. Both...
CA 1 mi Asphalt
A part of the SMART Pathway system, the Santa Rosa Pathway is divided into two segments. The northern 1.4-mile section offers a short, pleasant route from north Santa Rosa into the city's downtown....
CA 3.8 mi Asphalt
If you are attracted to the rolling, wine country landscapes and historical architecture of Sonoma Valley, the Sonoma City Trail won't disappoint. Located in the heart of historic Sonoma, just over an...
CA 1.5 mi Asphalt
The Southside Bikeway connects downtown Vacaville via a former Sacramento Northern Railway corridor to the city's southern neighborhoods near Al Patch Park. The route is a nice, short path, ideal for...
CA 1.25 mi Asphalt
This 2-mile paved trail winds through Centennial Park in the City of Vacaville. Following a former railroad corridor, the path connects a variety of recreational amenities including a number of sports...
CA 2 mi Asphalt
Following a former railroad corridor, the West Street Pathway is a multiuse paved trail running a half-mile through the neighborhood of Northwest Berkeley. The wide, smooth pathway is likely...
CA 0.5 mi Asphalt, Concrete

Recent Trail Reviews

Iron Horse Regional Trail

Mixed Bag

October, 2024 by dmurphy52

I rode this trail from the Livermore end to just past Danville. Overall, it seems more suited to local users that have identified sections that fit their needs (e..g. running, walking, or shorter bike rides. There were two fairly lengthy detours secondary to construction. Parts of the trail have cracks wide enough that they are a serious risk to causing anyone with skinny tires to crash, though other parts are as perfect as a path can be. Foot traffic in the Danville section, at least on a weekend, is heavy. There are many traffic crossings, and having to wait for a light to change in order to get across is not uncommon. For anyone attempting to ride the entire length of the trail, a spirit of adventure and a bit of determination would be required. Of note is that one can get on the trail right in front of the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station. As BART is a bike friendly way of getting around, this opens up trail access to people throughout the Bay Area. Other than dangerous cracks in the path, safety is not an issue.

Prince Memorial Greenway

Prince Memorial Greenway

December, 2023 by montyw_tl

This paved trail from Santa Rosa City Hall to Railroad Square with extensions to the west along Santa Rosa Creek is a great bit of nature in the downtown. Restored 20 years ago from a paved trapezoidal channel, it is now grown out with towering trees and pools and riffles. It even goes under Highway 101. It is also lined with murals and art pieces. Newly adopted by a group called Friends of the Prince Memorial Greenway, it is clean and well maintained and frequently patrolled by Santa Rosa Police and members of the Friends Committee?

Petaluma SMART Pathway

Just a conmuter path, under bridges and through homeless camps

September, 2023 by david588

This is just a path from point A to point B. Nothing remarkable. It goes through homeless camps and under highway bridges. Not the most beautiful experience. Nicely paved.

Accordion

Santa Rosa Creek Trail

Natural paradise trail in a city

May, 2023 by info962

I loved this trail! The main trail is all paved. It has underpasses under the cross streets to allow you to keep rolling without risk of cross traffic entanglement. The scenery is fantastic, at least in the spring time when we rode it. There is lots of trees that can provide shade if it's a hot sunny day. There is lots of birds that sing as you ride. It's truly a wonderful ride. Once you get part way outbound, there is a field on the right side of the paved trail, providing variety of shade trees on the left and green fields on the right. There wasn't that many other riders or pedestrians. Be sure to gently alert the walkers as you approach them from behind so as not to startle them and let them know you are approaching.

All of the north side of the Santa Rosa creek trail is paved. However, the side branch that "Y"s off to the NE along the Piner creek is gravel on both side, but it's not a problem to ride unless you don't like gravel and the rougher ride that comes with it. There are two wide blvd crossings on that route so be careful there. The south side of the Santa Rosa creek is also gravel (I think, but I didn't actually ride it to confirm.)

Rohnert Park/Cotati SMART Pathway

Something must have changed

October, 2022 by gailchandler

The Park and Ride at the trailhead is now a homeless encampment. There is a park you could leave from, but it is also a homeless encampment. I could see a portion of the trail from the freeway but it looked like chopped up blacktop, very narrow and overgrown. Seemed like bollards blocked access to the little bridge. I have a three wheel bike and would not be able to traverse the trail. Could not determine of trail was open at the trail head.

Great Highway Bike Path

Nothing Special

October, 2022 by acewickwire

Only rode a short section at Golden Gate Park. Trail is rough. Is wide but nothing great about it. Better to ride in Golden Gate Park.

JFK Promenade (Golden Gate Park Multiuse Trail)

Followed Some The Route

October, 2022 by acewickwire

We rented bikes and followed the bike map provided by the rental outfit. The park is really nice and well worth a visit. Lots of trails and at times a bit confusing to follow a specific route. However, can't really get lost. Really enjoyed the portion of JFK drive that is blocked to traffic. Big wide boulevard with lots to see and enjoy. Could spend a lot of time just wandering all through the park. Recommend a visit.

Bay Area Ridge Trail (San Francisco Presidio)

Kind'a Rode This One

October, 2022 by acewickwire

We rented bikes and followed the bike map provided by the rental outfit. We rode on Washington Blvd through this area. It is a pleasant ride on a street through a residential area and golf course. Very little traffic. Saw a number of other bikers and walkers. Didn't see any trail signage for this trail. Although did see a trail parallel to the road at times but didn't see anyone on the trail. Think would really need to specifically look for the trail if intent on riding. The street was good.

Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Path

Super Windy Today

June, 2022 by callend4

Took the Ferry to Larkspur and biked over the Bridge today to Point Richmond. Well maintained bike path, incline a bit challenging, so walked the bike for about one mile, I’m a novice and 67. Windy but views are worth it!

Brush Creek Trail (CA)

What trail?

June, 2022 by steiness

The trail start we approached was near impossible to find, very narrow and overgrown big time. Very disappointing. Turned around and got out of there at once. Went to our ‘go-to’ trail/hike Spring Lake. Still had a lovely time walking our go-to.

Santa Rosa Creek Trail

Super smooth , road underpasses so no stopping for traffic, not very crowded, peace in an urban setting

February, 2022 by jtburton

Super smooth , road underpasses so no stopping for traffic, not very crowded, peace in an urban setting

Joe Rodota Trail

hello everyone

September, 2021 by david.simecek1

I am not sure this same bike place wondering nice wineries. A beautiful scenery and it was absolutely fantastic if anybody brings the blogs or bikes it’s a wonderful thing to do to get away from the bay area

Find Nearby City trails

Accordion

Register for free!

Register for free with TrailLink today!

We're a non-profit all about helping you enjoy the outdoors
  • View over 40,000 miles of trail maps
  • Share your trail photos
  • Save your own favorite trails
  • Learn about new trails near you
  • Leave reviews for trails
  • Add new and edit existing trails

Get the Free TrailLink App

The trail is always better with TrailLink

Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone

Explore by City

Explore by City

Explore by Activity

Explore by Activity

Log in to your account to:

  • View trail paths on the map
  • Save trails to your account
  • Add trails, edit descriptions
  • Share photos
  • Add reviews

Log in with Google

Log in with Apple

OR

Register for free!

Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 40,000 miles of trail maps and more!

Register with Google

Register with Apple

OR

Your account has been deleted.