Touring * Beginner * Historic * Scene *

Around the north end of San Francisco Bay, where it's known as San Pablo Bay, Highway 37 runs east-west between U.S. 101 on the west and Interstate 80 on the east. From Highway 37 at Sears Point, take Highway 121 north. After seven miles, you'll pass the right turnoff to the combined Highways 12 and 121. Stay on 121 and continue to where the signs indicate you're on Arnold Drive, approaching Sonoma from the southwest. Arnold veers off to the north (left) just past Olive Avenue, but you should take Petaluma Avenue by veering slightly to the right to meet the Sonoma Highway (Highway 12) at the west edge of Sonoma. Go straight to follow Highway 12 (named West Napa Street here) through town and beyond the plaza. Turn left on Fourth Street and park in the Sebastiani Vineyards lot at Fourth and Lovell Streets. (If you brought a picnic, park at the northeast corner of the lot, near the picnic tables on Lovell Street at the edge of the vineyard).

You can also start skating at the trail's west end, from Maxwell Farms Regional Park (but if you plan on wine tasting at Sebastiani before going back to your car, this would be ill-advised). To reach the park from the Sonoma Highway/Petaluma intersection, turn north and drive half a mile to Verano Avenue. Turn left and follow the lane to the parking lot. Rest rooms are located on the far side of the park.

This converted railroad line starts at a grand brick archway with a plaque describing the history and current use of the Sebastiani Vineyards, one of the oldest vineyards in California. The perspective gained from the short history lesson enhances your appreciation of the gnarled old grapevines as you begin skating right through the middle of the vineyard.

The trail's next point of interest is a park located on the site of an old train station. There are some rough sections especially at the east end of the park.

Just a couple of blocks south of here is Mission San Francisco de Solano and a plaza full of delightful opportunities for exploration and eating. On the north side of the trail is a vast lawn, Arnold Field. For the next half mile, the route passes through Sonoma State Historic Park. Turn right on the tree-lined lane in the middle of the park's open area to visit the grounds of the General Vallejo Home. From here on, the trail meets several street crossings, but they're in low-traffic neighborhoods. If you're lucky, the basketball court with excellent pavement next to the trail will be free for some mobility and stunt practice.

The trail seems to end at the Sonoma Highway, but if you look to the left side of the park across the street, there it awaits. The highway is too busy for "jay-rolling," so skate left one block and cross at the stoplight. Now you can skate the loop around Maxwell Farms Regional Park. Picnic tables, a children's playground, rest rooms, drinking fountains, and a large lawn can be found here, as well as a big loop encircling the playing field. Since both sides of the trail are bordered by lawn, this is a good spot for beginners to practice slalom turns or heel braking skills on gentle slopes.

After returning to the Sebastiani Vineyards, if you still feel energetic, continue skating east on Lovell Street. The pavement isn't the finest, but street signs point the way to more vineyards on the outskirts of town. In the off-season or on weekdays, traffic is light enough for safe exploration.