Petaluma, California

Looking for the best hiking in Petaluma? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Petaluma. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Petaluma

  • Stinson Beach, California

    Matt Davis-Steep Ravine Loop

    4.7
    6.62 mi / 1726 ft gain
    This loop is made up of three of the most popular Marin trails and for good reason. These trails offer not only expansive ocean views, but a variety of topography and environments. This 6+ mile loop offers up waterfalls, dense forests, redwoods, and open grasslands overlooking the pacific. Starti...
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  • Stinson Beach, California

    Matt Davis-Coastal Trail Loop

    4.7
    6 mi / 2231 ft gain
    This hike is an alternative to the famous Matt Davis to Steep Ravine Loop. The hike starts at Stinson Beach, just behind the fire Station. I recommend parking at the Beach parking lot. The Matt Davis trail is one of the best constructed trails I have ever seen. After 2.2 miles, turn left on the ...
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  • Mill Valley, California

    Dipsea Trail

    4.6
    13.03 mi / 3701 ft gain
    The Dipsea Race is the 2nd oldest foot race in the US. The race is named after the Dipsea Inn at the end of the trail at Stinson Beach. The good news is that you can enjoy this scenic trail and its sweeping ocean views at your leisure. The bad news is that the race is only one-way. If you choose,...
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  • Stinson Beach, California

    Dipsea Trail to Steep Ravine Trail Loop from Stinson

    5.0
    5.99 mi / 1568 ft gain
    Dipsea Trail to Steep Ravine Trail Loop from Stinson is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Stinson Beach, California.
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  • Vallejo, California

    Camp at Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve

    4.0
    1 mi / 20 ft gain
    This old Naval Base is now home to, well, almost nothing. As a weekend volunteer trip, myself and about 50 others got a little dirty creating 3 new campsites for you and your friends!During the day, the island has hikers exploring everywhere, but the preserve closes upon sunset and it's just you ...
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  • Bodega Bay, California

    Doran Beach

    5.0
    4.02 mi / 75 ft gain
    Doran Beach is nestled within the picturesque landscape of Doran Regional Park near Bodega Bay, California. Offering pristine shores and captivating vistas, this is a coastal gem that allows visitors a more protected coastal landscape than nearby Salmon Creek State Beach. Explore sandy beaches ...
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  • Mill Valley, California

    Homestead Open Space Big Loop

    5.0
    2.48 mi / 709 ft gain
    Homestead Open Space Big Loop is a moderately trafficked loop trail located near Mill Valley, California.
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  • Mill Valley, California

    Sun, Redwood, Panorama, Lost and Fern Creek Loop

    5.0
    4.41 mi / 1030 ft gain
    Sun, Redwood, Panorama, Lost and Fern Creek Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Mill Valley, California.
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  • Occidental, California

    Hunters Camp and Creekside Loop

    5.0
    5.36 mi / 853 ft gain
    Hunters Camp and Creekside Loop is an almost 6-mile loop off of Coleman Valley Road in Occidental, California. This trail can get pretty muddy during the rainy season, but as an added bonus, it makes the waterfall along the Creekside Trail that much better.  Dogs are not permitted on this trail. 
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  • Occidental, California

    Watershed View Trail

    4.0
    1.54 mi / 174 ft gain
    The Watershed View Trail is located off of Coleman Valley Road and shares a trailhead with the Hunters Camp and Creekside Loop. This trail is a 1.5-mile out-and-back, which makes for a great trail to get the family out on to get some energy out. Be prepared for a muddy trail if there has been rec...
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  • Tiburon, California

    Bouldering at Ring Mountain

    0.5 mi / 400 ft gain
    Itching to climb outdoors near San Francisco?  With only a quick drive from the city, Ring Mountain is a beautiful nature preserve overlooking the city of San Francisco offering two main rock formations, Turtle Rock (Pictured) and Split Rock.  Split Rock is the slabby rock south of the parking ar...
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  • Bodega Bay, California

    Bodega Head Nature Trail

    4.8
    1.67 mi / 121 ft gain
    Sitting west of the San Andrea fault, the Bodega Head is a massive chunk of granite from the Salinian Block, a geological terrane that contains Point Reyes and the Farallon Islands, and shares its origins with the Sierra Nevada mountains, the Head itself having been carried hundreds of miles to t...
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  • Mill Valley, California

    Canopy, Panoramic, Redwood Trail, Sun, Dipsea Trail Loop

    4.7
    4.31 mi / 1145 ft gain
    While there are other, less crowded redwood groves in the Bay Area, Muir Woods National Monument is easily one of the best. It is a beautifully maintained site, with wooden footpaths meandering between towering redwoods that are between 600 – 800 years old. It’s home to some true giants, with its...
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  • Mill Valley, California

    Bootjack Trail Loop

    6.29 mi / 1634 ft gain
    Bootjack Trail Loop goes through both Muir Woods National Monument and Mt. Tamalmpais State Park is located near Mill Valley, California. With the starting point for this hike at the entrance to Muir Woods, there will be an entry fee to enter the national monument (click here for more details).  ...
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  • Bodega Bay, California

    Camp at Bodega Dunes Campground

    These kind of getaways shouldn't be planned many weeks before the trip. So we didn't booked a campground. And from this experience we learn that you don't have to reserve a campground. Just go there - don't panic when you see campground is full sign in the entrance. There are always available spo...
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  • Sausalito, California

    Dias Ridge

    5.0
    6.09 mi / 968 ft gain
    Dias Ridge is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Sausalito, California.
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