Mountain Biking in the SF Bay Area
Best in Petaluma
Helen Putnam Regional Park. There’s not much there, but it’s close by. Good trails, lovely views, considerate hikers – lots of them – with dogs. Helen Putnam is a good park for Petalumans who want to get in a quick hike or bike and don’t have time to travel.
411 Chileno Valley Rd, Petaluma, CA 94952 MAP
Tolay Lake Regional Park
Tolay is the area’s newest park after its acquisition from the Marvin and Rita Cardoza family. Rita was a member of my church (First Presbyterian) and active in Deacons and Hope Counseling. When I ride there, I think of the Cardozas and the giant Halloween pumpkin patch they held for years.
There’s one main trail, which leads a few miles to a hill from which you can see the Petaluma River Valley and the San Pablo Bay. I’m tempted to hop the fence there and bike past the cows and over the hill to Gloria Ferrer winery.
5869 Cannon Ln, Petaluma, CA 94954 MAP
Trione-Annadel State Park
Annadel is the best in Sonoma County. Lots of trails, but they’re steep.
6201 Channel Dr, Santa Rosa, CA 95409 MAP
Mt. Tamalpais – more to come
Mountain Biking Routes to Try
Rockville Hills Regional Park near Cordelia has a network of ranch-style dirt roads — perfect for mountain bikes — that are routed across expansive oak woodlands, past surprise ponds, and up to a section of the Bay Ridge Trail that rises up to a series of hilltops for spectacular views.
The park is also excellent for hikes, popular for an easy hike to Lower and Upper Lakes, and a moderate trek with a 500-foot climb to the ridge for the best views. A short but spectacular hike is Tower Loop, a hilltop trail that leads to a viewpoint overlooking the delta from which Mount Diablo is visible in the distance…
The main entrance, off Rockville Road, is preferred for most first-time visitors and mountain biking. The staging area is well signed, has a developed parking area, a station where you pay the $3 per person entry fee ($1 for dog) and trailhead. A detailed trail map with contour lines is available at the park’s website.