Setting

The park is an approximately 1,290-acre property located along the western slope of the Mayacamas Mountain range approximately seven miles north of the town of Sonoma. At a distance, the forested slopes and peaks of the park are visible from Highway 12. However, to visit the park and traverse the site is to realize it is not easily accessible, appreciated, or understood unless you are there. The park will provide trail-related public access, opportunities for recreation, education, and health-related experiences in keeping with the site’s rich cultural and unique environmental heritage. Once inside the park, the visitor will pass through redwood canyons, oak woodlands, chaparral slopes, hillside meadows, and up to the backbone ridge of the Mayacamas with panoramic views.

A former rock quarry located east of Highway 12 the Park Entrance Area “The Quarry” will serve as the parking / trailhead area with facilities to support visitors' access to the park. From the parking / trailhead area there will be a new (approximately ½-mile) trail parallel to Nuns Canyon Road connecting to the Upper Preserve Entrance. From the Upper Preserve Entrance the Calabazas Creek Trail extends about 1 mile up the Calabazas Creek corridor along a gentle to slightly steep route. From the end of the Calabazas Creek Trail the topography becomes rugged. To reach the top of the park and return is an approximately 8-mile round trip from the parking / trailhead area with an elevation change of almost 2,000 feet.