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
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Stinson Beach, California
Matt Davis-Steep Ravine Loop
4.76.62 mi / 1726 ft gainThis 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...Read more -
Stinson Beach, California
Matt Davis-Coastal Trail Loop
4.76 mi / 2231 ft gainThis 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 ...Read more -
Stinson Beach, California
Stinson Beach
4.3Stinson beach is a popular destination for Bay Area residents and tourists alike. Located just 20 miles north of San Francisco, it is a 30-40 min drive away from the Golden Gate Bridge (it's a one-lane windy road once you're on HWY 1). It is also a popular stop when hiking the nearby Mount Tama...Read more -
Mill Valley, California
Dipsea Trail
4.613.03 mi / 3701 ft gainThe 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,...Read more -
Stinson Beach, California
Dipsea Trail to Steep Ravine Trail Loop from Stinson
5.05.99 mi / 1568 ft gainDipsea Trail to Steep Ravine Trail Loop from Stinson is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Stinson Beach, California.Read more -
Vallejo, California
Camp at Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve
4.01 mi / 20 ft gainThis 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 ...Read more -
Bodega Bay, California
Doran Beach
5.04.02 mi / 75 ft gainDoran 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 ...Read more -
Bodega Bay, California
Miwok Campground at Doran Regional Park
5.0Doran Regional Park is located along the coast just south of the town of Bodega Bay, California. There are 5 campgrounds at Doran and Miwok is the tent-only campground with 13 campsites. There is a parking lot at the campground and bathrooms with coin-operated showers. FEES: If camping, your e...Read more -
Forestville, California
Steelhead Beach
4.0Steelhead Beach offers two great spots to access the river. There's a small beach on the right-hand side of the beach (south end) and a launch site on the left (north end) of the beach. The launch point makes for a great spot to start your float down the river. Make sure you have a shuttle car or...Read more -
Mill Valley, California
Homestead Open Space Big Loop
5.02.48 mi / 709 ft gainHomestead Open Space Big Loop is a moderately trafficked loop trail located near Mill Valley, California.Read more -
Mill Valley, California
Sun, Redwood, Panorama, Lost and Fern Creek Loop
5.04.41 mi / 1030 ft gainSun, Redwood, Panorama, Lost and Fern Creek Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Mill Valley, California.Read more -
Richmond, California
Point Molate Beach Park
The beach park is very small but has sand along the shore for water access. Along the small cliffs of the beach there are picnic tables and grills for a nice cookout and family picnic. This beach would also be a great place for kayaking or standup paddle boarding as it is fairly secluded and away...Read more -
Occidental, California
Hunters Camp and Creekside Loop
5.05.36 mi / 853 ft gainHunters 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.Read more -
Occidental, California
Watershed View Trail
4.01.54 mi / 174 ft gainThe 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...Read more -
Tiburon, California
Bouldering at Ring Mountain
0.5 mi / 400 ft gainItching 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...Read more -
Bodega Bay, California
Bodega Head Nature Trail
4.81.67 mi / 121 ft gainSitting 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...Read more
