BookingCenter works with an organization in our area, called EcoRing, to help local activity suppliers work with our lodging customers to entice tourists to stay longer, have a richer experience, and learn how to ‘tread lighter’ on Earth from their visit to western Sonoma County, California. Here are a few sample packages we have made for our local customers:
Whale Watching
Whale watching along the Sonoma Coast began as a response to the public’s awareness of the dwindling population of remaining whales and as a celebration of nature’s grand events – the annual migration of the Pacific gray whale. The whales begin their journey at their summer feeding grounds off Arctic waters of the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas, to their winter calving lagoons off Baja California, Mexico, traveling along the coast. They return after breeding or with their young via the same route, usually closer to shore with the mothers on the outside and the calves closer inland for protection. Volunteers are available at Bodega Head on weekends from January through May to share their knowledge of this event with State Park visitors.
- Cost: FREE
- Minimum number of participants: none
- Min Stay: none
- Max Stay: none
- Closed to arrival: none
- Available on: Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays between January through May
Tide Pooling
Volunteer docents take visitors on private hikes to areas of the Sonoma Coast State Beach to learn about life in the tide pools. For a private educational tour on a weekend or any Monday, the Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods will arrange a fantastic tide experience for a modest fee of $25 at any time there is a good low tide. For free group tours, meet at Shell Beach for a tide pool educational experience on any Saturday or Sunday (no reservation required) when the tide is low .
- Cost: $25
- Minimum number of participants: 5
- Maximum number of participants: 25
- Min Stay: none
- Max Stay: none
- Closed to arrival: none
- Available on: Saturdays, Sundays,
Redwood Forest Walks
Come out for a hike through the old growth giants at Armstrong Grove. Reservations are not necessary for self-guided tours. Docent-led guided walks through the Grove are also offered anytime through reservations by contacting Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods at +1- (707) 869-9177 or email stewards@mcn.org for a fee of $5-$10 per person (sliding scale) for groups of ten or more.
- Cost: FREE (self-guided)
- Minimum number of participants: none
- Min Stay: none
- Max Stay: none
- Closed to arrival: none
- Available on: All dys. Guides walks through the Grove are also offered anytime through reservations by contacting Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods for a fee of $5-$10 per person (sliding scale) for groups of ten or more.
Willow Creek Docent Led Hikes
with Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods
Meet less then 1 mile down Freezeout Road just west of the town of Duncans Mills off Moscow Road. Stewards provides public access through docent-led hikes on this incredible new State Park acquisition on Sonoma Coast State Park. The purchase of this magnificent 3,373 acres of redwood forests and grassy meadows with coastal views was made possible through the efforts of the Trust for Public Land, the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, the California Coastal Conservancy, the Wildlife Conservation Board and California State Parks. Come on out to see and enjoy this property first hand. Learn about the flora, fauna, history and become acquainted with the recreational opportunities that will be available in the future.
- Cost: FREE
- Minimum number of participants: none
- Min Stay: none
- Max Stay: none
- Closed to arrival: none
- Available on: First Saturday of the month from May through October, 10:30 a.m. Hiking Level: Strenuous.