Petaluma, California

The best Trails and Outdoor Activities in Petaluma, California offer a variety of outdoor adventures. The Helen Putnam Regional Park is a top spot with a 6-mile network of trails perfect for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The scenic views of rolling grasslands, groves of heritage oaks, and panoramic vistas are a must-visit. Shollenberger Park is another great location for bird-watching and walking, with a 2-mile trail encircling a beautiful wetland. For a more challenging hike, head to the Tolay Lake Regional Park. The 8-mile trek takes you past unique rock formations and offers stunning views of the lake. These outdoor attractions in and near Petaluma are perfect for those seeking a mix of leisurely strolls and more strenuous hikes.

Top Spots in and near Petaluma

Petaluma, California
Hike Helen Putnam Regional Park

4.0

6 mi / 550 ft gain

A 216-acre park, Helen Putnam offers 9 trails that are relatively short but can be combined however you wish. Go 2 miles or 10 miles. Loop in and out, up or around. I take a different route every time I hike here.For a good 6-mile hike, begin at the southwest corner, where the parking lot and res...
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Novato, California
Hike Mount Burdell

6.5 mi / 1200 ft gain

Start at the wide gravel parking lot. You will find the start of the Burdell Trail on the south side leading directly up the mountain. The Burdell Trail winds around the southern slopes before beginning to switch back and forth up the east side of the mountain. The forest full of toyon, bay and ...
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Santa Rosa, California
Hike Crane Creek Regional Park

3.5 mi

With multiple loops of varying length, this park is great for anyone looking for a casual hike around a beautiful area in the foothills of Rohnert Park. Crane Creek has nice secluded picnic areas next to the creek in the cover of willow, alder, buckeye and bay trees. There's also an 18-hole disc ...
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Novato, California
North Levee Trail

3.78 mi / 157 ft gain

North Levee Trail is a loop trail where you may see wildflowers located near Novato, California.
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Petaluma, California
Upland Game Bird Hunting/ Clay Shooting

I’m sure all you hunters and are well aware that there are few, if any, hunting opportunities in San Francisco or Marin County. However, many of you don’t know that an epic hunting club exists just an hour North of San Francisco. At the Black Point Game Bird Club, you can hunt ring-necked pheasan...
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Glen Ellen, California
Wolf House in Jack London SP

There is a museum in "The House of Happy Walls" which Mrs. London built in redwood grove find park information, exhibits and a small sales area there. A nearby trail leads to Jack London’s grave and to the remains of "Wolf House," London’s dream house which was destroyed by fire in 1913. The par...
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Glen Ellen, California
Sonoma Ridge Trail

9.2 mi / 1955 ft gain

Sonoma Ridge Trail is a beautiful 9.2-mile out-and-back hike located near Glen Ellen, California. This hike is moderately difficult, with about 1955 feet in elevation change. 95% of the trail is covered in forest shade. Important Notes:Bikes and Horses are permitted on the trails. Dogs are NOT p...
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Sonoma, California
Sonoma Valley Wine Tour Bike Ride

This 12 mile bike path starts at a rental shop in Sonoma Country called Sonoma Valley Bike Tours and Rentals. Follow the trail through the quaint residential area and into the back country vineyards and dirt trails. This ride can be anything between a hardcore 2 hour cycling workout with a few in...
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Nicasio, California
Hike and Fish at Nicasio Reservoir

5.0

3 mi / 300 ft gain

Nicasio is a quaint town just inland of the more popular coastal town of Point Reyes. It's most known for it's wine country, rolling hills, and the home of Skywalker Ranch, George Lucas's getaway home. Most visitors of this area either pass right on through for Point Reyes or use it's scenic road...
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Novato, California
Schwindt, Indian Valley, and Waterfall Trail Loop

3.51 mi / 594 ft gain

Schwindt, Indian Valley, and Waterfall Trail Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Novato, California.
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Novato, California
Buck Gulch Falls Trail

5.0

1.26 mi / 203 ft gain

Buck Gulch Falls (also known as Fairway Falls) is an easy, scenic hike that takes you through a beautiful forest on your way to a 15-foot waterfall. This little neighborhood treasure is tucked away in Novato, CA at the end of Fairway Drive and there is ample parking near the trailhead. If you v...
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Santa Rosa, California
Taylor Mountain Loop

4.2

1.5 mi / 1000 ft gain

From the northern entrance to the park, you can access an 18-hole disc golf course as well as a number of trails. The Eastern Trail takes you up a steep 1,000 feet to the top of Taylor Mountain, where you can see most of Sonoma County laid out before you. Mt. St. Helena is visible in the distance...
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Inverness, California
Explore the S.S. Point Reyes Shipwreck

3.9

Explore the shipwreck of the S.S. Point Reyes, perched on a sand bar off the shoreline of Tomales Bay. It is located in the small town of Inverness, just behind the grocery store. If you are driving North on Sir Francis Drake Blvd it will be on your right side. Parking is easy and you will see a ...
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San Geronimo, California
Roys Redwood Preserve Loop

5.0

2.37 mi / 430 ft gain

Roy's Redwoods Preserve is an easily missed pocket of Redwoods off Nicasio Valley Road in Marin County. Don't miss it: heading North on Sir Francis Drake Blvd turn right onto Nicasio Valley Rd--the gate for this little park is about a half mile up on the right. From the main entrance you enter a ...
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Santa Rosa, California
Joe Rodota Trail

4.0

12.67 mi / 174 ft gain

Joe Rodota Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Sebastopol, California.
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Inverness, California
Kayak Camping in Point Reyes

4.9

Like camping in remote locations? Love oysters? This is it! Tomales Bay offers boat-in only campgrounds along the east side of the peninsula. We departed from Chicken Ranch Beach, which is on the west side of Tomales Bay. We jumped in our kayaks and headed north in the bay for a quick breather at...
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