The Joe Rodota Trail is a 7.5-mile paved ribbon connecting Santa Rosa and Sebastopol, perfect for a long walk or bike ride with your dog. The main entrance is at the pedestrian and bicycle bridge where the Prince Memorial Greenway intersects, located southwest of the Marriott Courtyard Hotel between West 3rd Street and Railroad Street in Santa Rosa. From there, the trail stretches southwest all the way to Sebastopol, ending near the intersection of Mill Station Road and Highway 116.

What makes this trail special is its history. Much of it runs along an abandoned railroad line, and you’ll notice railroad relics scattered throughout. Three bridges built atop old train trestles give you that sense of walking through time, and the wooden structures are genuinely interesting to see, especially if you’re explaining the area’s railroad heritage to kids.

The trail meanders past agricultural ranches and the Laguna of Santa Rosa, so the scenery shifts as you walk. Spring is particularly vibrant when wildflowers burst along the route. It’s also excellent year-round for spotting birds, so bring binoculars if you’re into that.

You have plenty of entry points along the way if you don’t want to tackle the full 7.5 miles at once. Access points are off Roberts Avenue, Dutton Avenue, Stony Point Road, Wright Road, Sebastopol Road, Merced Avenue, Llano Road, Petaluma Avenue, High School Road, Cleveland Avenue, Ellis Court, DuFranc Avenue, Hurlbut Avenue, and Highway 116. This means you can park closer to wherever you are and do a shorter section if needed.

The trail is popular with walkers, cyclists, horseback riders, and people on roller skates, so expect company on nice days. Leashed dogs are welcome throughout, making it a genuinely accessible option for getting outside with your dog without worrying about off-leash restrictions.