Hiking with Kids: Explore the Wetlands at Shollenberger Park in Petaluma

Families looking for an easy, scenic, and educational hike should check out Shollenberger Park in Petaluma. Located just a short drive from Marin, the 165-acre Shollenberger Park lies alongside the Petaluma River, and offers miles of hiking trails that run through the wetlands and hook up to other trail systems in the area.

Park in the lot off Cader Lane in an industrial park off Lakeville Highway in southern Petaluma. While it seems a little odd that this outdoor recreation spot is located in the middle of an office park, it definitely feels a world away once you hit the trail. Trails are flat and even and hikers, cyclists, and walkers of on-leash dogs are all welcome.

Being in the middle of a wetland area, expect to see a ton of waterfowl and other birds on your walk. We saw Canada geese (of course), several diffferent kinds of ducks, coots, Red Tailed Hawks, and even a pair of Northern Harriers. If you have binoculars, definitely bring them along on your walk. You'll also enjoy sweeping views of the Petaluma River as well as Mount Burdell to the south.

The main loop trail at Shollenberger goes for two miles, and should be managable by most kids and adults. The flat gravel trail is easily traversible by mountain bikes and sturdy off-road jogging strollers.

If the Shollenberger loop isn't enough for you, you can hook up to the Alman Marsh Trail, which leads to the Petaluma Sheraton hotel, or the Ellis Creek Treatment Plant trail. Both of these trails are 1.5 miles in length.

For more information, visit www.cityofpetaluma.net or call (707) 778-4380.

If You Go

Shollenberger Park is located in Petaluma at 1400 Cader Lane, off Lakeville Highway. To get there, follow Highway 101 north to Petaluma, and take the Highway 116 Sonoma/Napa exit. Turn left onto Lakeville Highway and follow it to Cader Lane, where you'll turn right. Follow Cader Lane to the Shollenberger Park parking area.

The park has restrooms and drinking fountains near the parking area, and water bowls for dogs, too. Drinking fountains were not working on our last visit there, so pack in your own water and snacks. The park has a nice picnic area, which is a great place to relax and enjoy lunch or a snack before or after your hike.

There's no shade to speak of here, so hats and sunscreen are a must. On-leash dogs are welcome.