1. Petaluma Koa
City: Petaluma, CA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (707) 763-1492, (800) 562-1233
Address: 20 Rainsville Road
Description: There are advantages to camping so close to San Francisco: guided bus tours to “the City” leave from this KOA during the summer (it’s approximately 35 miles to the City by the Bay). The facility has 312 campsites, plus a swimming pool. Six new lodges were planned for 2008, all with bathrooms, kitchens, and a kids’ loft. Located on the north edge of Petaluma, there is convenient access to U.S. Highway 101 and the restaurants of Petaluma. Free wi-fi, too.
2. Helen Putnam Regional Park
City: Petaluma, CA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (707) 565-2041
Address: 411 Chileno Valley Road
Description: Just outside downtown Petaluma, 216-acre Helen Putnam Park has hiking, biking, and horse trails that lead to exceptional views of town and farmland. There is a playground and a picnic area with a gazebo. The park is open sunrise to sunset. From Petaluma Boulevard, go west on Western Avenue and turn left on Chileno Valley Road. Parking is $5. Dogs must be leashed.
3. Adobe Creek Golf & Country Club
City: Petaluma, CA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (707) 765-3000
Address: 1901 Frates Road
Description: Adobe Creek, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., is an 18-hole, par 72, 6886-yard course on the southeast edge of Petaluma (just south of Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park). It has a grass driving range, and green fees range from $36 to $56 depending on time of the week and day. Carts are $10 to $14. Collared shirts and soft spikes are mandatory.
4. Rooster Run Golf Club
City: Petaluma, CA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (707) 778-1211
Address: 2301 East Washington Street
Description: Rooster Run opened in 1998 and has since become Wine Country’s supreme public-golf bargain. Situated across the street from Petaluma Airport, the course is subject to the same afternoon winds that bedevil its neighbor, Adobe Creek Golf Course. The front nine includes an island green on the par 3 number 6. You’ll need an oasis after number 5—rated the course’s most difficult. Rooster Run management likes to boast that the course includes “the toughest four finishing holes in Northern California golf.” Believe it. Regular rates are $37 Monday through Thursday, $41 Friday, and $57 on weekends. Seniors play for $25 Monday through Thursday, and $27 on Friday. Juniors pay $10 after 2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Carts are $14 per rider.
5. Amf Boulevard Lanes
City: Petaluma, CA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (707) 762-4581
Address: 1100 Petaluma Boulevard S.
6. Petaluma Swim Center
City: Petaluma, CA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (707) 778-4410
Address: 900 East Washington Street