Sebastopol Route 116 Pedestrian Signals

Guide to Understanding the Pedestrian Beacons in Sebastopol

Located on State Route 116 at McKinley Street and Danmar Drive 

 

Pedestrians: 

 

Pay attention to the pedestrian signals! They are not different than pedestrian signals you would find at a typical intersection.    

Pedestrians are often tempted to cross the street when they see vehicles stopping for them.  This is not your signal to enter the crosswalk!

Make sure that someone has pressed the button to activate the crosswalk signals. Do not cross until you receive the walk signal! 

Some drivers may stop when they see the flashing or solid yellow lights on their signal.  Those lights tell drivers must prepare for a red light - it doesn't mean they must STOP!  Just because one driver stops, it doesn't mean others will.  Don't be lured into a dangerous situation.  You can wait a few seconds. 

 

Drivers:  

While pedestrians will follow signals that are similar to typical signals, the signals for drivers are different. Take some time to understand the diagram.  

• The yellow flashing light means a pedestrian has activated the button. You may proceed with caution. 

• A solid yellow should be treated like a yellow light at an intersection.  

• A solid red light means you must stop. 

• The flashing red light should be treated like a stop sign. Stop at the light and look for pedestrians in the crosswalk. If none are present you may proceed.  

Take it slow, the pedestrians and motorists alike are getting used to the new signals. 

 

VIDEO of Pedestrian Beacons

Click link below to watch video:

Pedestrian Beacons

More about the Sebastopol Pedestrian Beacons 

Caltrans activated two pedestrian crosswalk beacons on State Route 116 in Sebastopol, Sonoma County, on December 3, 2025.

The signals are located at the intersection of Petaluma Avenue and McKinley Street in the Sebastopol business district, as well as Gravenstein Highway and Danmar Drive in northwestern Sebastopol.

The new beacons allow pedestrians to cross Route 116 without walking a long distance to a standard traffic signal.

Caltrans has installed high-intensity activated crosswalk beacons at each location, better known by their acronym HAWK. The signals themselves are fastened to a boom overhanging the road. The beacons will not flash unless someone presses the crossing button. The button activates a series of flashing and solid lights.