Coastal Saunter
Explore Ocean Views at Jenner Headlands Preserve
PHOTOS: ELBA MORA, THE WILDLANDS CONSERVANCY
Looking for a new park to explore? One of Sonoma County’s best open secrets is the coastal Jenner Headlands Preserve. Less than an hour north of Santa Rosa, it’s a beautiful place for a day hike with a friend or a seaside family outing right in our own backyard. And it’s open to the public from 8am to sunset, completely free of charge.
The Preserve features a stunning mix of redwood and Douglas-fir forests, oak woodlands, chaparral, and coastal prairies. Spanning the Pacific Coast Highway for 2.5 miles, it’s located right next to Sonoma Coast State Park and just north of the Russian River Estuary.
There, visitors can experience 5,630-acres of natural beauty perched above the Pacific Ocean, enjoy a hike (dogs are allowed on leash), a picnic, do some birdwatching, wildflower viewing, and even a little seasonal whale watching. Jenner Headlands is home to many rare and endangered species, including the northern spotted owl, peregrine falcon, and red tree vole. You might also spot deer, bobcats, coyotes, and mountain lions roaming the area.
The oceanview preserve became a protected area in 2009, thanks to a dedicated four-year effort by the Sonoma Land Trust and Sonoma County Ag + Open Space. They teamed up with other supporters including the California Coastal Conservancy, the California Wildlife Conservation Board, and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. The Wildlands Conservancy also came in with a $10.6 million loan.
Together, the Wildlands Conservancy and Sonoma Land Trust developed a plan to restore the land’s coastal prairies and aid the recovery of redwood forests damaged by logging. Removing old logging roads and restoring streams here will support the endangered Coho salmon. It’s a place that’s returning to its roots, while welcoming the public to enjoy the ocean views, forests and meadows.
Jenner Headlands Preserve
wildlandsconservancy.org/preserves/jennerheadlands
(707) 243-3064
12001 CA – 1 Jenner, CA