We are so lucky to be surrounded by some of the most gorgeous country the bay
has to offer!
To your north and east lay two world-famous wine regions in Sonoma and Napa
counties, to your west the incredible Point Reyes National Seashore, and to
your south the city of San Francisco.
You can't go wrong with a day trip anywhere, and we highly encourage you
to spend some time exploring our beautiful home!
By transit
For those seeking a leisurely journey, there are several transit options from
SFO to downtown Petaluma. The quickest route takes BART to the 101 bus, while
the most scenic takes BART to the SF-Larkspur ferry, then to the SMART train.
By car
For those seeking a picturesque and independent adventure, rent a car from SFO,
then take highway 101 over the golden gate bridge, through the Marin hills, and
into Petaluma via exit 474.
We've listed a few of our absolute favorite places below - and we would
love to talk about them!
If you have a whole day to explore, here are some of our favorite trips:
Tomales Bay adventure day
Spend a day in and around the beautiful Tomales Bay. Rent some kayaks from
Blue Waters Kayaking
– they'll launch at Heart's Desire Beach. See harbor seals, otters (if
you're lucky!), seabirds, bat rays, and more. Pack snacks for a mid-kayak beach
stop, and save room for the world's best buffalo ice cream found in the back of
Palace Market
in Point Reyes Station.
Check out
Tony's Seafood Restaurant
or
Hog Island Oyster Co
for a delicious late lunch with bay views.
Great fun for all ages!
Russian River float
On a hot day, head up to Healdsburg and
rent some tubes
or kayaks to float down the Russian river – pack a cold drink and some snacks.
Steelhead Beach to Sunset Beach is a classic. Make sure to run a car shuttle or
arrange to catch a bus back to your put-in beach.
Make it an overnight by staying at Dawn Ranch,
near Johnson's Beach for some sunrise river walks.
Great activity for kids or young couples! Summer weekends can be a bit of a party,
so I would recommend weekdays for a family trip.
Napa Valley Wine Train
Start your day in the town of Napa, and board the
Wine Train
for lunch, afternoon tea, or a full day experience. Ride to St. Helena and back with
wine in hand and views in sight. Sober up (or down) in nearby downtown Napa. Uber is
available to & from Petaluma.
Great fun for adults. Boring for children, I would imagine.
Marin Headlands nature day
Head to the
Steep Ravine trailhead
and take the trail up to Pantoll Campground and back for a moderately challenging
but very rewarding hike. Head down to
Parkside Café
in Stinson Beach for an ice cream reward. Finish the day by tidepooling at the
Duxbury Reef tide pools
in Bolinas. Check
tidal charts
to ensure tidepools are accessible.
Fun for all ages of moderate to high physical ability.