01
Best overall pick
Helen Putnam Regional Park
Southwest Petaluma Hills • Compact Hilltop Regional Park • Best All-Around Close-To-Town Hike
Rolling loops climb quickly to a ridge with broad views over Petaluma, then duck into pockets of oak woodland.
Helen Putnam is where many locals go when they want a real hike without leaving town limits. Interlocking trails let you stitch together anything from a 30‑minute leg‑stretcher to a couple of hours of ups and downs, with plenty of benches at view spots overlooking the patchwork of farms and rooftops. Expect a mix of sun and shade, some short but punchy climbs, and enough options that it still feels uncrowded if you wander beyond the main loop.
02
Easiest scenic loop
Shollenberger Park
Southeast Petaluma Wetlands • Flat Bay-Shore Wetlands Preserve • Best Stroller- And Kid-Friendly Loop
A mostly level gravel path circles restored wetlands, delivering big-sky views, waterbirds, and breezes off the bay.
The core loop at Shollenberger is an easy win when you want fresh air without much elevation gain. The wide, mostly flat trail is ideal for walkers of all ages, and birdlife is constant—from egrets and hawks to seasonal flocks of shorebirds. There is very little shade and it can be breezy, so locals tend to bring a hat, layers, and a camera for sunrise or sunset walks.
03
Best for birdwatching
Ellis Creek Wetlands and Trail
East Side, Near Shollenberger • Quiet Wastewater-Wetlands Trail System • Best For Birdwatchers And Photographers
Looping paths weave around ponds and marshes in a surprisingly peaceful corner on the edge of town.
Ellis Creek feels more tucked away than neighboring Shollenberger, with smaller loops that get you closer to the water and reeds. Interpretive signs and viewing platforms make it easy to slow down and actually notice the ducks, herons, and raptors that use the wetlands. Many locals link Ellis Creek and Shollenberger into a longer outing when they want a few unhurried miles on forgiving surfaces.
04
Big open-country escape
Tolay Lake Regional Park
Tolay Valley East Of Petaluma • Expansive Ranchland Open-Space Park • Best Wide-Open Countryside Feel
Long ranch roads and singletrack traverse open ridges, seasonal lakebeds, and sweeping grasslands with far-reaching views.
Just a short drive east of town, Tolay Lake feels dramatically more remote than its distance would suggest. Trails climb steadily through working ranchland to broad ridges where you can see across the South Bay on a clear day, or loop through the basin around the park’s namesake seasonal lake. There is minimal shade and plenty of wind exposure, so locals time hikes for cool mornings and shoulder seasons when the hills are green.
05
Best leg-burner with views
Sonoma Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve
East Of Petaluma Toward Sonoma Mountain • Forest And Ridgeline Regional Park • Best Half-Day Climb
Wooded trails climb through mixed forest to open viewpoints with wide angles over Sonoma Valley and the Petaluma Gap.
When you want something more like a classic mountain hike, the trails on Sonoma Mountain deliver longer climbs and a wilder feel. The route works up through shaded forest, crossing creeks and switchbacks before breaking out onto grassy clearings and view points. It’s a solid half‑day outing that stays cooler than Petaluma’s lowlands in summer, but the grade and distance make it better for prepared hikers than casual walkers.