The Laguna de Santa Rosa is Sonoma County’s richest area of wildlife habitat, and the most biologically diverse region of Sonoma County (itself the second-most biologically diverse county in California). The largest tributary of the Russian River, the Laguna drains a 254-square-mile watershed which encompasses nearly the entire Santa Rosa Plain and includes all or part of the cities of Windsor, Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Sebastopol and the unincorporated community of Forestville.

The best place to access the Laguna itself is in Sebastopol, from the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center parking lot. You can walk the gravel trails past ponds and marshes to the seasonal bridge, or sit on benches under towering valley oaks and Oregon ash. A two mile hike encircles the entire area. Trails are accessible to walkers and wheelchairs but not bikes. Dogs allowed on leash.

How to Get There: From the first stoplight on Highway 12 upon entering Sebastopol from the east (Santa Rosa), turn right (north) on Morris Street and proceed to the Sebastopol Community Center, where there is plenty of parking. The Preserve entrance borders the Sebastopol Community Center and Youth Annex.