Sonoma Coastal Plan Envisions Trail Through Valley Ford, but Route Remains Proposed

VALLEY FORD, Sonoma County — Coastal planning documents identify Valley Ford as part of a proposed inland route for the California Coastal Trail linking the Bodega Harbor area to Marin County.

In a public-access appendix reviewed by the California Coastal Commission, planners discuss an inland alignment that would generally follow Highway 1 and Valley Ford Estero Road, as well as a shoreline route nearer the Estero Americano. The county noted difficult highway grades for cyclists and proposed studying safer multi-use connections and working with transportation partners.

The planning document labels this longer route as proposed, not an open continuous trail. Some nearby coastal paths are accessible only at low tide, and any future route may depend on easements, additional design and improvements.

Practical information

Visitors should use established public trailheads rather than assume a proposed coastal trail permits entry across private grazing land or along unsafe highway shoulders. The source is the Coastal Commission’s public-access appendix, page 89.

Official source: Sonoma County coastal access appendix.

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