Estero Trail - Background

The Estero Americano is a 9-mile coastal estuary on the Sonoma-Marin border. This unique landscape and its beautiful vistas have had limited public access in Sonoma County, with the surrounding land predominantly used for livestock grazing and dairy farming.

In May of 2012, the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District acquired a Trail Easement on the Bordessa Ranch, a 495-acre Ranch on Valley Ford Road that backs up to the estuary. The District is partnering with Regional Parks to define a pedestrian-only trail to connect Highway 1 to the Estero Americano.

The trail easement will provide a wonderful opportunity for public access to this stunning natural resource.

Sonoma County Regional Parks received grant funding from the California Coastal Conservancy to develop a plan that defines public access and recreation and minimizes impacts on the property’s occupants and sensitive resources. Funding supports studies that help determine the location of public-access improvements.

Recreational uses may include low-impact trails for nature study, bird watching, docent-led tours, picnicking, outdoor education, scientific research and observation. Seasonal access to the Estero Americano for kayaking and canoeing also will be evaluated.