Natural Attractions—What to explore right now

Stewardship technician Bianca Vargas recommends the Red Hill to Pomo Canyon Trailhead at Sonoma Coast State Park

My favorite place to visit during the spring is the coast because of the wildflower blooms that occur due to the site’s higher humidity compared to inland.

One place I recommend checking out is the Red Hill to Pomo Canyon Trailhead at Sonoma Coast State Park. I park at Shell Beach, and you must cross Hwy 1 to access the trailhead. There is a steep incline at the beginning of the hike where coastal shrubs are growing, but as the slope levels out, the types of species growing changes. Uphill, Monterey pines and redwoods tower above you, and there are significantly more understory species because of the shade and moisture the trees provide.

There’s an ecological term called ecotone, which is a transitional zone between two biomes, and the steep incline where the coastal shrubs are growing is a perfect example of it! The trail loops back to the trailhead, which is a perfect opportunity for hikers to check out Shell Beach to see the biome the ecotone transitions from.

May is usually a transitory month for me because it’s the last month of spring and we get to experience a little bit of what summer is going to be like. Hiking through an ecotone totally feels like a rite of passage.