Taylor Made Summit

Hike to the Summit of Taylor Mountain

01.05.2016
North Bay
Dog Friendly, Hikes

Regional parks tend to be mostly frequented by locals living near the park. Taylor Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve near Santa Rosa is worth a visit for anyone in the Bay Area. The prominent Sonoma County landmark has over 1,000 acres and a hiking trail that leads to its 1,400-foot summit. Start at the newly opened Petaluma Hill Road Entrance for this 5-mile (round-trip) hike to the summit of Taylor Mountain. You'll walk through oak woodlands (whose naked branches look awesome this time of year) and cross several creeks before winding up through grasslands. About a mile into the hike you'll come across a mini Stonehenge: dozens of small monuments (cairns) created by stacking rocks. Cows graze nearby as you hoof it up a short steep section that's a thigh burner (there's an alternate route here that's more gradual). The summit offers a grand view of the Santa Rosa Plain, Bennett Valley, Hood Mountain, and the majesty of the North Bay, Mount Saint Helena.

taylormtndog-image-jpeg

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Woman walking down the stairs overlooking the ocean on the Coastal Trail in San Francisco

    America's Best Urban Hike

    Long ago we dubbed it the “Grand Walk” and said it was one of the most scenic and stunning trails in the West. We were wrong. This is the most scenic urban hike in America!

    View

  2. Hike or Bike the Skyline

    A new section of the Bay Area Ridge Trail is open for biking, hiking, or horseback riding along the 12-mile (out-and-back) Skyline Watershed Ridge Trail.

    View
  3. Woman riding a bike on the the Vine Trail in Napa Valley

    Through the Grapevine

    Cycle California’s most famous wine valley on the car-free Vine Trail, an ambitious project going through the heart of Napa Valley. Park your car and ride 6 miles from Napa to Yountville for lunch.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

  1. Stars, Steaks, and Strange Brews

    Forget Michelin stars. Deep in Oregon's high desert, legendary Cowboy Dinner Tree is destination dining at its most deliciously down-to-earth, well worth the required reservation and desert drive to reach it.

    View

  2. Outback to the Future

    Some must-see destinations are written in the stars. Deep in Oregon's remote southern high desert lies the largest certified International Dark Sky Sanctuary on the planet. With 2.5 million acres of protected dark skies, you get the best of the celestial out here in what's known as the Oregon Outback, including geothermal soaks and an incredible playa that's a hidden gem.

    View
  3. Sponsored

    Extra-Celestial Central Oregon

    Some trips promise you the moon and the stars. And this one delivers in a big way, plus throws in some extra planets for your viewing pleasure. From Bend, Sunriver, and Sisters to Antelope Basecamp in the remote high desert.

    View