There are many beautiful birds that use Petaluma river as their habitat. You will see great blue herons, snowy egrets, red tailed hawks, blue jays and humming birds. You can also head to Helen Putnam Regional Park for some quality bird watching, but if birding isn’t your preferred way of spending time outdoors, the park offers six miles of equestrian, biking, and hiking trails showcasing panoramic views of Petaluma and the surrounding area.
At Shollenberger Park, many birds and other wildlife can be spotted throughout its 165 acres of wetlands, making it a go-to spot for photographers and bird watchers. The park features a scenic, two-mile circular trail and a one-mile cutoff trail, so it’s doable for all levels of walkers.
Are you a foodie and love cheese? Then you’ll love exploring the many creameries in and around Petaluma. Marin French Cheese Company has been making cheese for over 150 years and welcomes visitors to its scenic cheese factory to sample artisan cheeses. They also offer picnic provisions, including breads, meats, and sandwiches, in case you’d like to stay awhile and picnic by the pond. Another amazingly delicious cheese producer is Achadinha Cheese Company, a family-owned ranch near Petaluma, where farmstead cheeses are produced from their 50 goats and 100 cows.