Biking

Commercial Bike Tours

Youtube video on bicycle touring

Do-it-Yourself Bike Tours

These are do-it-yourself rides that for the adventurous who have their own bike.  However, we recommend that you employ guides from some of our Partners who also rent bikes.

Bike Only Tours

Guerneville to Armstrong Woods:

This is a short ride, liesurely flat ride on a well traveled, but relatively safe, road. The prize at the end is the Armstrong Redwood Preserve with 1000 year old trees.  Although your can ride your bike in the Preserve you will see more amazing sights if you park your bike at the parking lot and spend a couple of hours walking the trails in the Preserve.

From the Guerneville Plaza ride Armstrong  Wood Road north. 2.3 miles.

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Monte Rio to Cazadero

We recommend that you do this trip with http://getawayadventures.com/

This ride follows some of the Sonoma Marin Adventure Trail route along the original right-of-way of the historic steam-powered narrow-gage North Pacific Coast Railroad.  Consequently the ride is flat.   14 miles one way.  About 2-3 hrs.  Medium Difficulty.

  • Start at the Monte Rio Park ‘N Ride at the corner of Main St. and Moscow Rd.
  • Ride west on Moscow Rd. to Duncans Mills. There is a road washout at mile 2.5 but you can lift your bike over the concrete bariers and stay to the left.  We recommend that you stop at the Gold Coast Coffee and Bakery for pastries and a hot drink. 3.4 mi.
  • From the parking lot at Gold Coast Coffee, Ride Moscow Rd. west to Highway 116.  290 ft.
  • Turn right on Highway 116 and ride to to Austin Creek Road. 1.3 mi.
  • Ride Austin Creek Road North to Cazadero Highway. 3.6 mi.
  • Turn right on Cazadero Highway and ride north to our Partner, Raymond’s Bakery.  If you arrive on Friday evening in the summer months they have music, pizza and lodging. ‭(707) 632-5335.  2.0mi.
  • From Raymond’s ride north to Cazadero.  There is an historic general store for snacks and deli sandwitches and bike tubes can be purchased at the Cazadero Supply accross the street. 0.8 mi.
  • Retrace your route to return to Monte Rio.

Occidental to the Coast

This is a route with incredible scenery:  redwood forest, bucolic farms, and spacious views of the Pacific Ocean and the quaint West County village of Occidental.  There is a motel, an inn and two guesthouses near Occidental.
26 miles.   About 5-6 hours.   Very Challenging

  • Start from the parking lot in front of the Union Hotel Restaurant.  Take a moment to read the history of Occidental on the kiosk next to Bohemian Highway
  • Walk your bike to the intersection of Bohemian Highway and Coleman Valley Rd.  About 300 ft.
    Ride west on Coleman Valley Rd. to Joy Rd. There are some steep grades on this segment but the toil is worth it.  1.8 Miles.
  • Turn right at the intersection and continue on Coleman Valley Rd. to State Highway 1 on the beautiful Sonoma Coast. You will ride by an historic one-room school house and not far from an old growth forest (800+yr. old trees).   The views are breathtaking.  Take it easy on the downhill stretch just before reaching the coast.  8.3 mi.
  • We do not recommend riding Highway 1 to the small fishing village of Bodega. High traffic with not bike lane.  But if you can’t resist it is 2.8 miles south.

Santa Rosa to Forestville

This ride follows the original route of the Petaluma & Santa Rosa Railroad from Railroad Square in Santa Rosa all the way to Forestville on the Russian River via the Laguna de Santa Rosa and Sebastopol.  Along the way you can visit whimsical and humorous metal sculptures made from recycled materials, wineries and a goat farm.  West County & Joe Rodota Trails
Distance: 11.5 miles (about 1-2 hours)
Sonoma County Bike Trails Rating: Easy Ride
Route: From Railroad Square in Santa Rosa walk across Third street and parallel to the tracks (on the west side of the fence along the SMART train tracks to the Joe Rodota  Trail.  Follow the trail all the way to Sebastopol.

We suggest that you cross Petaluma Ave. at the crosswalk at the end of the Joe Rodota Trail, walk across the parking lot to the history museum on Main Street.  Walk your bike north on Main Street to McKinley Street. There are a number of good restaurants on Main Street and McKinley if you need to stop for lunch.   Walk to the end of McKinley then turn left on Morris Street.  The West County Trail starts at the the bend of Morris between the Analy High School football field and Wishmann Hall.

Follow the signs on the West County Trail all the way to Forestville.  The Joe Rodota Trail and most of the West County Trail are on the historic route of the Petaluma Santa Rosa Railway.
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Occidental to the Grove of the Old Trees, Pomo Canyon Camp and the Russian River

This ride takes you from a ridge top ancient redwood grove through the redwood forest down through the Willow Creek unit of the Sonoma Coast State Park.  At the end near the Russian River is a campground and the trailhead for a wonderful hike to the Pacific Ocean at shell beach.
Distance: 27 miles.                                                                                                     Time: About 4-5 hours.
Rating: Challenging (Paved and Dirt Trails)
Route: Start your ride in Occidental. Ride  Coleman Valley Rd. west to Joy Rd. then Right on Fitzpatrick Lane to the Grove of the Old Trees.  Take time to walk through the Grove of the Old Trees before continuing your ride.  Ride Fitzpatrick Lane to Joy Road.  Continue straight on Coleman Valley Road to Willow Creek Road. Left on Willow Creek Road which will be partly a dirt road.  There is a gate  to the entrance of Pomo Canyoun Camp and a trailhead for a spetacular hike to Shell Beach.  Continue on Willow Creek road then turn right onto Coast Highway, Right onto Highway 116, right on Moscow Road crossing  the Russian River just beyond  Duncan Mills, Left on Moscow Road which is part of the Heritage Trail, Right onto Bohemian Highway at Monte Rio and back to Occidental.

Transit Plus Bike Tours

A fun way to extend your range of bike tours without the hassle and expense of driving and parking is to take advantage of regional transit such as the Golden Gate Ferry and the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) Train.  Both the Ferry and the SMART train accomodate bicycles on board.  The Ferry links to the SMART train at Larkspur.  If you live in San Francisco, the  East Bay or on the Peninsula, local transit like CalTrain and BART can connect you to the Ferry Building.  Below are some bike rides you can start from the Larkspur Ferry Terminal or one of the many SMART stations.

Railroad Square SMART Station to Forestville:

Take the SMART train to the Downtown Santa Rosa SMART Station in Railroad Square.   Bike the Santa Rosa Creek Tail, the Joe Rodota Trail to Sebastopol and the West County Trail to Forestville.                                                      Distance: 16 miles                              Estimated time: 1 hour 24 min

SMART Santa Rosa Downtown Station to Santa Rosa Creek Trail to Joe Rodota Trail.        4.5 miles

  • Exit the train station towards the Santa Rosa Visitor Center building
  • Walk your bicycle along the fence facing the railroad tracks
  • Turn right at Aroma Roasters coffee shop towards Wilson Street
  • Turn left onto the Wilson St. sidewalk  (Walk your bike north along the Wilson St. sidewalk.   Wilson St. has no bike lane.) 289 ft.
  • Turn left onto 6th St. 2 mi.
  • Turn left onto Pierson St. 135 ft.
  • Turn right onto Santa Rosa Creek Trail. 2 mi.
  • Continue straight to stay on Santa Rosa Creek Trail.  Use the underpass to cross Dutton Ave.  Use the underpass to cross Stony Point Road.  Use the underpass to cross Fulton Road. 9 mi.
  • Turn right onto Fulton Rd. after the underpass.
  • Continue onto N. Wright Rd. 2 mi.
  • Turn right onto Sebastopol Rd. 1 mi.
  • Turn left onto Joe Rodota Trail 23 ft.

Joe Rodota Trail to Sebastopol West County Regional Trail.   4.3 mi.

  • Head south on Joe Rodota Trail toward Sebastopol Rd. 1 mi.
  • Turn right: 2 mi.
  • Head north toward Sebastopol Ave. (Highway 12). 33 ft.
  • Turn right onto Sebastopol Ave. 108 ft.
  • Turn left onto Morris St. o.4 mi.
  • Turn right onto Eddie Ln. 0.3 mi.
  • Head south on North Main St. to the W. County Regional Trail. The destination will be on the right .  0.1 mi.

West County Regional Trail to Graton.  6.2 miles

  • Continue on the West County Regional Trail to the signal on Occidental Rd. 2 mi.
  • Use the crosswalk at the Occidental Rd.  Head west on Occidental Rd. The continuation of the West County Regional Trail will be on your right.  0.9 mi.
  • Make a slight right onto W County Trail to Grey St. in Graton. o.7 mi.
  • Turn right on Grey, Left on Bowen St., then Left on Graton Rd. The continuation of the West County Regional Trail will be immediately on your right. 0.3 mi.

Graton to Forestville: 3.3 mi.

  • Go north on the West County Trail to Green Valley Rd.) 0.6 mi.
  • Turn left onto Green Valley Rd.  Head west to the West County Trail.  0.2 mi.
  • Turn right onto the West County Trail to Ross Station Rd. 1.2 mi.
  • Slight right onto Ross Station Rd. 125 ft.
  • Turn left onto Ross Branch Rd. 125 ft.
  • Turn left on West County Trail and continue to the trailhead on Front St. 1.2 mi

Arrive at West County Regional Trailhead on Front St., Forestville.  The trailhead is at a small park with picnic tables.

Lodging is available in Forestville at EcoRing Partners The Case Ranch Inn or The Raford Inn.  Be sure to make reservations in advance.

From the Forestville Trailhead to Case Ranch Inn: (707) 887-8711‬.

  • Take care crossing Front St. (There is a crosswalk to the right, east.) 253 ft.
  • Ride west on Front Street to Mirabel Rd. 300 ft.
  • Turn right on Mirabel Rd. and ride north to Noland Rd. 0.4 mi.
  • Turn left and ride west until Noland Rd. turns right (north). 0.2 mi.
  • Continue north on Noland Rd. to Guisti Rd. 0.2 mi.
  • Turn left on Guisti Rd. and ride west to Poplar Dr.  70ft.
  • Turn right on Poplar and ride to the Case Ranch Inn on your left. 480 ft.

From the Forestville Trailhead to the Raford Inn: (707) 887-9573.

  • Head east on Front St. to the crosswalk at 2nd. St. 160 ft.
  • Turn left on 2nd. St. and ride to Center St. 348 ft.
  • Turn right onto Center St. and ride to Covey Rd. 0.1 mi.
  • Turn left onto Covey Rd. and ride to Trenton Rd. 1.1 mi.
  • Turn right onto Trenton Rd. and ride to River Rd. 0.2 mi.
  • Turn right onto River Rd. and (carefully!) ride to Wohler Rd. 0.2 mi.
  • Turn left onto Wohler Rd. and ride to The Raford Inn at Eastside Rd. 0.7 mi

Novato Hamilton to Hamilton Wetlands Loop and Los Gallinas Birding loop

The ride to the Hamilton Wetlands Loop from the Novato Hamilton SMART Station includes  a portion of the San Francisco Bay Trail. It is an easy, flat ride on pavement and packed decomposed granite.  It affords views of San Pablo Bay and interesting bird life.  From the Wetlands you can connect to the Los Gallinas Valley Birding Loop.  The Wetlands Loop is 6.6 miles and the Birding Loop is 4.5 mi. for a total of 11.1 miles.

From the Novato Hamilton Station to the Hamilton Wetlands

  • Exit the Novato Hamilton SMART Station platform to the left. 95 ft.
  • Ride the SMART trail north along the rails to Hamilton Parkway. 0.3 mi.
  • At the end of the SMART Trail, cross Hamilton Parkway and enter Aberdeen Rd. which is a wide street without vehicle access.
  • Stay right on Aberdeen Rd., the partially restricted road. 0.1 mi.
  • Turn right to stay on Aberdeen Rd. (Houses are on the right side.)  0.4 mi.
  • Pass the Novato Baylands Point Blue Nursery on the right.
  • Turn right at the waterfront San Francisco Bay Trail (sandy granite) 0.2
  • Head southeast on the trail along the wetlands. 1.3 mi.

From the San Francisco Bay Trail to the Las Gallinas Valley Birding Loop.

  • Continue south on the gravel San Francisco Bay Trail. 2.2 mi.
  • Turn right at the Las Gallinas Sanitary District and head west around the pond. 279 ft.
  • Turn left and ride along the west side of the pond.  0.5 mi.
  • Turn right and ride along the north side of the second pond to St. Vincent Dr.  0.2 mi.
  • Turn left and ride along the west side of the pond to the junction with the San Francisco Bay Trail.  0.2 mi.
  • Ride north on the San Francisco Bay trail and retrace your route to the Hamilton SMART Station. 5.3 mi.
  • If you want a shorter less scenic return to the SMART Station turn left at Hanger Ave. and ride north to San Pablo Ave.  0.6 mi.
  • Turn left onto Palm Dr. and ride the pathway enterence to the SMART Station Parking lot enterence.  0.5 mi.
  • Ride the pathway around the parking lot to the tation platform. 0.2 mi.