Here is a list of Sonoma County organizations that promote walking followed by walks gleaned from the iWALK website. * After taking part please let this blog (and your friends) know about your experience. We would like to hear from you!
I especially enjoy walks that demonstrate we can get from here to there fairly easily. For example, last March a large Sebastopol Walks group took Sonoma County Transit bus 20 from Sebastopol to Santa Rosa and walked back. Sure, it took three or four hours but it was not the huge, onerous trip one might imagine. It really helped that the planners arranged rest stops along the way with access to toilets, water and shade.
* Please double check the website before taking part in case the listing has changed.
Come prepared: Pack a lunch or snack and bring water, sunscreen and hat. For rural walks, sturdy shoes, long pants and light colored clothes (to identify ticks) are a must. Binoculars can be fun to bring along too. If you must drive, please invite your friends and carpool to the meeting spot. On many outings, participants can leave the walk at any time for a shorter journey; check in advance with the leaders.
Resources
iWALK Sonoma County, www.iwalksonoma.org
iWALK is a Sonoma County Health Initiative that encourages walking as a regular part of a healthful lifestyle. iWALK is the first of several Health Action Initiatives featuring physical activities, healthy eating, and preventive medical care. The iWalk walks are listed after this resource section.
Sonoma County Stompers, www.sonomacountystompers.org
The Sonoma County Stompers was founded in 1991. Sponsored by Tuttles Pharmacy, this walking club is a member organization of the American Volkssport Association , www.AVA.org, which was founded in 1976. We are a not-for-profit organization walking for fun, fitness and friendship.
Sierra Club, www.redwood.sierraclub.org/chapter/outings.html
The Sierra Club offers many public outings. For details visit their website. Here is one I found: Saturday Saunters, Santa Rosa Area, Saturdays, 9am. For details about this and other walks visit website; Saunters listing is near bottom of the page.
Coastwalk, www.coastwalk.org
Coastwalk’s mission is to ensure the right of all people to reach and responsibly enjoy the California coast. Based in Sebastopol, they offer a wide variety of local walks and outings including overnights on the coast.
Walks on the iWALK website:
Santa Rosa
Becoming Independent Garden Group, 1425 Corporate Center Parkway, Friday, 12:30pm Becoming Independent South Campus, 1455 Corporate Center Parkway, Tuesday, 8:30am Center for Well-Being, 365 B Tesconi Circle, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 12:30 to 1pm Grupo SANA, Kawana Elementary Parking Lot, 2121 Moraga Dr, Santa Rosa, Monday – Thursday, 7pm Peters Family Daycare, Spring Lake Boat Ramp, Tuesdays, Thursdays and some Sundays, around 6 pm The Walkers, Spring Lake, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-7pm YMCA Walk the Talk, 1111 College Avenue, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9-10am
Aqua Caliente
Vintage House Walking Group 264 First Street East, Fridays 8 – 9am Maxwell Farms Regional Park, Mon-Fri 6pmForestville
Ritious Walkers, Forestville Trailhead, Daily 7am
Petaluma
Petaluma Walks, Sheraton/Marina Path & Shollenberger Park, see website (I could not find it but maybe you can…)
Rohnert Park
Worthy Walkers, Pacific Market, Wednesdays, 4pm Sonoma State University, Big Oak- Campus Rec, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 12:30-1pm
Sebastopol
Sebastopol Walks, Last Saturday of the month, Town Plaza, 9am
Sonoma
Becoming Independent Sonoma Valley, Napa St., Mondays, 3:30pm
Windsor
Windsor Walkers, Senior Center, Tuesday and Thursday, 9 -10amend