Only traveled on the floor level but it is beautiful, historic and calming park. Next to hwy 101, the freeway really doesn't affect the park settings that much. Plenty of trees for shade, picnic tables, a large fountain (unfortunately not operating) Some buildings & farm houses. Also easy access to restrooms. Will definitely go on the upper paths and hopefully see a view. Take a hike !!! read more

Olompali State Historic Park - Underneath a Canopy of trees - Parks Near Me - Novato, California

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Hello everyone! Well this state park has quite a bit of history to be honest but unfortunately, it is really very rundown. This property at one point was owned by a family that actually played a key role in developing this area of California and they ran cattle amongst other agricultural initiatives on the property. The Grateful Dead actually lived here for a bit in the 60's and held a number of rock rule festivals in the property as well but none of that is evident at this point. The original mansion suffered fire damage and is pretty much condemned. An original Adobe house belonging to a prior Mexican owner is pretty much a ruin at this point but it is protected. There is also a re-creation of an Indian village in the property which is not much to see but it's there. Something that was pretty cool was checking out some of the fountains and remnants of non native flowers and trees that are still on the property in the garden related areas. A shame that the State of California has not properly maintained this park. Not saying you should not check it out. Plan for a cool day so you don't have any issues hiking the trails, which are not bad. Hydrate as well whenever possible and don't leave anything behind except your footprints. Hope you all enjoy your visit! read more

If you are coming strictly to hike, this might not be a bad choice. However, if you are hoping to explore the historic sites, like the old farmhouse and Miwok village, it probably isn't worth the trip, especially if you have to drive an hour or more to get here. To be honest, the historic "houses" are just a collection of dilapidated farm buildings scattered near the visitor center. The worst part is that none of them are open to the public, meaning you can only look at the exteriors (which don't look all that different from other old farmhouses visible near the freeway). Meanwhile, the Miwok village consists of just three small, clearly replica kotca. Paying an $8 parking/entry fee feels like a ripoff for what is offered. If you are looking for actual history, I'd recommend heading to the nearby Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park instead. Though smaller in size, that site is much better preserved, deeply interesting, and actually allows you to walk inside and tour the building. Also, the visitor center is actually closed, the sign says it is open "on most fri/sat/sun", so you probably need some luck to see it open. read more

Visitor Center was closed. Sign said open on Fridays. It was not. Wandered around a little. Not much to look at. Would be a nice place to hike, but not for $8.00 parking fee read more

Well, I definitely have some things to say. This was our first time at the park on Sunday, April 28. We took the Miwok loop because we thought it was short and easy. It is not! We also did not have any water because we thought it was an easy loop. It would have been nice if the volunteer at the front desk would've told us how long the hike was and approximately how long it would take. It would've been also good if she said you probably want to take water with you. It is very beautiful and peaceful, but it's not a beginner hike. read more

Great hike! The history of the place is fascinating! Perfect for a stop on the way home from the city!

The only park that has the ruins of a mansion, housed a commune, has a native village, and great hiking trails. The ranger we met used to live in the commune and was a great source of information. Just go! read more

Since moving to Petaluma, Olimpali has been on my list of local parks to visit. From the freeway it looks like a vast spans of rolling hills, Oak trees and grassland tundra. Well, after Sunday's hike I can confirm that is exactly what it is! At the entrance to the park you'll need to pay the $8.00 entrance fee. It is based on the honor system so no skimping! The fee's go toward maintenance of the trail and logging of any old, rotten trees. From there you will see the visitors center, to get a map of the trails. This is significant because the visitors center is the oldest surviving house north of the San Francisco bay, built in 1776! A variety of owners have laid claim to this land, including The University of San Francisco, a hippie commune and The Grateful Dead. The beginning of the park is a self-guided, historical walking tour. Follow the markers Learn about the Mary Burdell Victorian garden, the butchers barn, the dairy farm and the Miwok village as you approach the start of the trail. Remember the dairy barn, that is where you return at the end of the loop trail. We encountered wild turkeys in the open area on our return. Important note: dogs are not allowed on the trail. Bring at your own risk! I did and was fine. In fact, there was not a single soul on the trail besides us. We had the entire trail to ourselves. Pay attention to the split in the trail. One path continues straight, the other is slightly elevated and takes you on the "loop trail" through the woods. If you have poor knees or have issue breathing when elevation climbing, this may not be the path for you. At some point on the trail there is a consistent incline for at least 10 minutes. The upside is that the trail is mostly shaded and has an impressive view of Petaluma River and San Pablo Bay. A few benches are sprinkled here and there for a rest. We stopped and listened to the trees rustle in the wind, ground mice and small birds shuffling in the undergrowth. On this particular day the ground floor was covered in delicate white flowers. It was very pretty. The park has a variety of trees; California Oak, Manzanita and Eucalyptus. All in a very nice trail. I expect in summer it will be extraordinarily hot, so prepare and hit the trail early. read more

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Easy to fine correct address listed on Yelp just tucked away off the highway there is a beautiful 2.7 mile loop trail clearly marked. $8 parking fee cash only machine disabled. Visitor center open on the weekends from noon to three. The trail past running water an interesting wildlife. At the beginning of the park there is historic sites of what is left of buildings and Barns. The property dates back to the 1940s and historical landmark signs are spread throughout the property explaining the origin of the family buildings and the evolution of the property. The property was even used by the Grateful Dead as they had rented out some of the main houses. Definitely a site worth checking out! read more

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We went to Olompali (oh-LOMP-o-lee) SHP on Sun 2/13/11. It was foggy in the morning, then became sunny w/ hazy views. To enter park: From Hwy 101 North, go past the park entrance, take the Redwood Landfill Overpass, then head back South on Hwy 101 to the entrance on Right. Self register parking fee is $8. NO Dogs or Bikes allowed. I did see a biker on the narrow trail. Dog owner did turn back after seeing the 2nd sign, there's a sign at the beginning too. One pit toilet available. Visitor center is open on Sat only, so didn't get to check it out. Starting out we read about the Burdell family, the garden, mansion, etc. Continued to Loop Trail to Mount Burdell Trail about 5mile one way - it's very gradual w/ lots of long switchbacks. It takes forever to get to the top so we had a late lunch at 1:10pm, plus the park opens at 10am which is late for me. At the summit there's 2 picnic tables & views of Petaluma River, San Pablo Bay, Gnoss Field Airport, Hwy 101. You can see the views all along the trail, so if you don't have time for the summit it's ok. On the way back, we took Mt Burdell Trail - then turned Left to the Miwok Village (Replica). It was just ok. They have a bat house, once a year in the summer they let people watch the bats come out. I still need to see this - maybe this summer if this park isn't closed due to state budget cuts. Be careful: Tons of ticks in this park! Didn't get any on me that I know, but saw them on the blades of grass all along the trails. read more

Olompali State Historic Park - NO Bikes or Dogs! - Parks Near Me - Novato, California

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A real gem in the North Bay! Olompali has a unique history - no other park can claim a rich Coast Miwok and ranch era, mixed with hippie communes, swim clubs, Jesuit retreats and yup, the Grateful Dead. Great easy-to-moderate hiking leads to great views of the nearby wetlands and amazing birding and animal watching. Picnic tables make for pleasant, shaded resting areas. Volunteers operate the visitor center with a small exhibition and gift shop. Make a donation on top of your parking payment - volunteers run this park and with your support they can open it more days than just Wed-Sunday. Really a great park! read more

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Great walking spot with beautiful views and artifacts. The park is open 9-5 and does require a parking/entrance fee of $8.... I wouldn't say this is meant for hiking way better for walking around for about 3.5 miles! Great for kids and family outings read more

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Quiet and extensive walk with lots of historical artifacts to see during your hike We only did the 3.4 mile hike but there are several longer options. Mmany with views read more

This place closes at 5:00 as opposed to sunset like most state parks. No ranger or staff on duty (or at least present). Really poor trail signage on trail, most which are rotten or non-existent. There are a few trails in this park that are no longer maintain well enough to be considered a trail. read more

Nice little state park with some history: from the Miwok Native Americans to the Grateful Dead and a hippy commune. Stop in the visitor center and talk to the volunteer staff- friendly and knowledgeable. Parking is $8 if you don't have a pass. Loop trail is moderate - shouldn't be a problem for most people and fine for kids. Takes about an hour. Some replica tee-pees at the beginning of the trail. Makes for a nice stop before grabbing some beers/food in Petaluma. read more

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Beautiful Park! I just finished the "Loop" Trail (about 3 miles) and loved it. Not too many people there, and saw families picknicking and hiking, and some people running the trail. Beautiful scenery. This was also once an Indian settlement and has some history to it, as it was an area near the bay and near hunting which had vast natural resources. In the areas below the trails, there are some old buildings and parts or the village are described with signs along the trail. Nice! There is a longer trail also that goes to the top of the mountain there, about 5 miles up and 5 down. Check out some pics I posted. read more

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4 stars for the somewhat entertaining, highly eclectic historical stuff, 3 stars for the hiking as I found it kinda 'meh' compared to the plethora of other hiking trails in the area and a general discount on everything as it was pretty run down (e.g. parking ticket machine didn't work). HIGHLY ECLECTIC HISTORICAL STUFF I went here with my daughter and thought the place was kinda cool from the standpoint of all the seemingly random historical stuff. There is a nice display in the main visitor's center that lays out the history. In a nutshell - It started out as a Miwok village, turned into a Victorian-era estate with beautiful gardens, then turned into a resort, then turned into a hippie commune (not kidding) and then turned into a park. Lots of different buildings and structures representing all the different parts of the history. Several of the building are pretty run down though, and very few are explorable. =( HIKING There were only two real trails, all of them pretty easy, which is cool if you aren't looking for anything challenging. There isn't a lot of variety though. It's mostly just a walk through the woods, with a few streams. There are a few views of the valley and the 101. Make sure you bring water as there aren't a lot of drinking fountains around. It was interesting to show up at the Visitor's Center and nobody was running the front counter. I won't be returning anytime soon. read more

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Beautiful hike and some pretty views of the landscape/city line. My boyfriend and I had a great day trip here and look forward to our next trip! read more

I'd give a wholehearted 5 stars with the exception of two things: 1. $8 parking. Which I get why there's a charge for, but the process for paying is irritating. 2. Tons of ticks. I've never had a problem with ticks on any other hike *knocks on wood* but I've found them on me as well as several other people on different occasions. 3. Some of the trails aren't well maintained and if you go on the loop, on the way down it's all crazy rocky and unstable. It's hard on the knees and easy to twist an ankle. Well that was 3 things but I'm too lazy to back and edit. Don't let that deter you though. It's a great hike and you can choose to do the loop trail or the trail all the way to the top. The view up there is pretty great and there's a picnic bench for you to sit down and have a nice little snack before heading on your way down. It is also mention worthy to say that you shouldn't wander off on one of the many game trails that can be easily confused with the hiking trails. You may end up somewhere random like on a side road and be forced to follow it all the way since your other alternative is to wander aimlessly through the woods. Not that I've done that before... And if you're interested in history/local history, there's a bunch of information about the Miwok Indians and there are preserved buildings, tepees, etc. complete with signs you can read comparing cultures and explaining what you're seeing. If you have kids, this area is great for spotting wildlife. I've seen lots of crazy birds, deer, jack rabbits, and even a random turkey. read more

Awesomely gorgeous park - especially when everything is green. It's a shame that more people don't visit this park, but it is nice that it hasn't ever been crowded whenever I've gone. Tip: if you're trying to get there but you're on the 101N side, just take the right after the park... You know, where all the garbage trucks and things go. There's an overpass that'll take you to 101S. This is infinitely easier than trying to make a u-turn on 101 (being a passenger while a friend is trying to make a u-turn on super-busy 101 is very scary!!! My tip will save you a heart-attack.) read more

Short hike -- only takes about an hour. There are two options: a quick loop trail, or a hike up to the peak. We skipped the peak (it was close to dusk and I didn't want to hike back in the dark), but the loop trail was very pretty. The trail went through some gorgeous Madrone groves. Seriously, I have never seen so many Madrones in one place, and some of them were massive. The hike had some pretty views of the San Pablo Bay (even without going all the way to the top of the peak). The park (not including the hiking trail) was also very cool. There are a number of historic structures -- a large rustic barn, a blacksmith's house, a chicken coop (all from the 1800s), an old adobe structure, and the remains of a burned-down Victorian mansion. The place has a lot of history. It was a hippie commune in the 1960s. The Grateful Dead hung out there a lot (they actually started the fire that burned down the house, at one of their shows). There is a small visitor's center with some dioramas / artifacts / photos about the park's history. PLUS if you are a plant nerd, the park includes the remains of a once-fabulous Victorian garden. There are Pomegranate shrubs, fancy trees imported from Japan, and other plants that have been growing there since the late 1800s. It's a shambles now, but it was interesting to see how big the ornamental trees have gotten. read more

Dude. This is a great place if you want to have some quiet time and not be bumping into people on the trail. The trail has a very gradual climb and I seriously with great scenery. I'd definitely recommend it if you have the time to go the distance. Pack a lunch and reward yourself with a rest once you reach the summit. Hiked 3/17/12 read more

Beautiful grounds. Lots of interesting history & buildings. Very helpful on grounds State employees. Perfect photo oops. Don't go on a already hot day and/or bring plenty of water! A car day pass is $8.00 read more

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Neat park to visit, with some wonderful trails and views. Although the Miwok Indian village (replica) was smaller than I envisioned, it was still fun. Very helpful were all the signs everywhere explaining the history of the Indians and aspects of their daily life. The various signs about the plants and how they were used by the Indians were extremely interesting. Learned so much I never knew before. Also interesting was the history of the Burdell family, the buildings, garden, etc. Again, it was the abundance of signs that really helped to make this more enjoyable. We came kind of late so we didn't get to do everything we had hoped to do, but had a nice enough time that we'll definitely come back again to finish some of the longer hikes the next go-round. read more

Came here to hike and learned some interesting things about the park such as how it was inhabited by the Miwok Indians, the Chosen family - a commune - whose visitors included members of the Grateful Dead & Janice Joplin. As for the hike, the trails have tons of poison oak and mosquitoes, so be ware. read more

Olompali State Historic Park - Parks Near Me - Novato, California

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Great place to go for a run. If it isn't the middle of summer, or there has been a rain recently, keep running until you find that spot. You know the one. It's like Fern Gully come to Novato. Amazing. Visit the old buildings where the Grateful Dead hung out/lived/created music. Search for old arrowheads and learn about the Miwok Indians. Beware that you cannot access this park from 101 Norht. Must access it while headed south. read more

Lovely park, but just a PSA for folks to wear long pants/light clothing and check for ticks while you hike. I very much enjoyed yesterday's wander up the Mt. Burdell trail, but did need to pick off three ticks even though I made an effort not to brush up against vegetation. There are a number of places on the trail where it's impossible to not do so. Some poison oak, but nothing too crazy. Overall, a very enjoyable and easy hike. read more

What a long, strange trip it's been. Olompali State Park is an oddball place- one can view Highway 101 from the picnic area, yet it retains its rural nature. It was a sunny summer afternoon, yet I was one of the few people there. You'd think more people would be there- with school being out&not that far from Petaluma as well as the bustling Marin county cities of Novato, San Rafael, Tiburon&Mill Valley. It's accessible- in fact,it's more accessible than it used to be. It used to be accessible only from southbound 101; now one can reach it from Redwood Boulevard via Atherton Avenue off Highway 37. It costs only $8&one can see Grateful Dead memorabilia... much cheaper than the tickets for their final concerts. Olompali State Park has had a fascinating, bittersweet history of settlement and neglect. It began as a Miwok settlement. Authentic coins with Queen Elizabeth I dating back to 1567 were found at the site. It has the remains of the oldest adobe in the North Bay- Camilo Ynitia's house built in 1776 (he was one of the few Native Americans to retain his land grant after California statehood) The crumbling adobe is as old as nearby Mission Dolores, Mission San Diego&remote San Jose Las Trampas in rural New Mexico out by Taos. On June 24, 1846, it was the site of the Battle of Olompali, in which Bear Flaggers of the California Republic battled the troops of Gen. Jose Castro from Monterey. Ynitia would later pass away under enigmatic circumstances. Next, it was the home of dentist Galen Burdell&his wife Mary, on land from his father in-law, when the pair married in 1863. Burdell was San Francisco's first dentist- and he commuted to the City by the Bay from Novato, before it became a thing. The Burdell Mansion exudes an eerie melancholy. It's ghostly at midday. The remnants of Mary Burdell's Victorian garden (now a picnic area) is as eerie as the ruins of Jack London's Wolf House. The garden has reverted to its natural state. Mary Burdell brought some exotic plants from Japan that survive to this day. At one point, it was a Jesuit retreat center run by the University of San Francisco. In the 60s, it was a hangout for musicians like Jefferson Airplane's Grace Slick, Janis Joplin&the Grateful Dead. The Grateful Dead used the Olompali hillsides as artistic inspiration for their 1969 Aoxomoxoa album cover. From 1967 to 1969, it belonged to the hippie commune the Chosen Family. One wonders if they were behind the bold pink&powerful paint along with the flowery wallpaper within the ruins of the Burdell Mansion. Had they attempted to give it a psychedelic look? In 1969, the mansion burnt down. All that remains is a ghostly shell of itself. The sole solid remnant of the commune is the fascinating Octagon/Brick Oven beside the visitors' center where they once baked "mushroom bread" for the Summer of Love; in a sense, it mirrors the nearby Kitchen Rock that the Miwok used for making flour. Sadly, on a beautiful summer day, this place wasn't getting much love. PROS- More accessible than it used to be. A friendly ranger who helped with overall directions. Great exhibits in the Burdell Frame House. $8 beats... whatever is the going rate for Grateful Dead final concert tickets. Good bathrooms in the visitors' center. You can skip the outhouse by the parking lot. CONS- The current pamphlet isn't accurate. Google maps is accurate, showing how one can reach it from Redwood Boulevard. The souvenir shop was a disappointment; Sonoma State Historic Park&Fort Ross State Historic Park have better variety. Nobody was there. They sell sodas&bottled waters out of a fridge that wouldn't look out of place in a college dorm. Olompali State Park is a treasure hidden in plain sight. read more

Nice park and hike, but I have a lower rating as our car was broken into while parked in the lot. Be careful when visiting.

Nice park and a good hike. The Grateful Dead history is interesting. They have a nice set up to show native american culture. I recommend hiking the loop counter clockwise. That way you are looking out over the valley and the bay coming down the hill vs having it over your back. read more

One of my favorite places to hike with my dog. The top really has beautiful views of the bay. Staying on the fire roads allows me to hike with my dog off leash. But don't be afraid to check out the numerous other trails that have amazing mushrooms and vegetation you won't find on the sunny trails. Just remember to leash your dog on those trails. The rangers will find you, trust me. They found several of my friends that did not heed my words of caution. Please if you are going to hike with your dog, pick up after them. That is one of my biggest pet peeves. Dog owners who ruin it for the rest of us. read more

I swear this place is filled with ghosts...you can literally feel it.

yes, I'm grateful that the Dead donated this incredible chunk of land to the State. There are benches on the hardly-used trails that Jerry & Co. installed themselves along the way. there's no sign telling you that--that's what I'm here to say! It's right on 101 South, and on a nice day, the views across the swamps and the Bay are incredible when you get up high. Great assortment of trees, including some fairly old madrones with incredible trunk & branch colors, in varying states of peeling. When you go there, don't leave your mark, as you have to ask yourself: "What would Jerry do?" A Bay Area hidden treasure. read more

Nice trails, great views. Went hiking there today, 4/8/12. There weren't a whole lot of other people on the trails, but there was a ton of wildlife: mice, deer, lots of lizards, a garder snake, butterflies, and ticks! I did get bitten by a tick on the trail up to Mount Burdell, so make sure to check after you finish your hike! read more

This is a beautiful park with paths of varying difficulty. Go after the winter rains cease and everything is super green.

This is sort of a hidden gem in northern Marin, even though it's technically right off 101 (probably because it can only be entered if you are on 101 South.) I went there for the hiking - took the Mt. Burdell trail all the way to the top - but also found an amazing history. Home to the Miwok for (at least) a thousand years, site of the first battle of the Mexican American War, a retreat owned by the Grateful Dead, and beautiful besides. Rarely busy, good for hiking, riding, and biking. read more

I love this hike with my kids. There is information about the Miwok's through out the hike. There is also information about native plants and their uses. It's a beautiful hike! read more

very nice hike indeed. has a lot of native history associated with it. the mt.burdell trail is very nice although we didn't quite make it to the top. there is a $5 self-pay parking fee. i've heard this is one of the state park facing closure due to the state's fiscal problems. what a shame. read more

Gorgeous, serene, and VERY educational too! We visited with our 7 year-old daughter on Saturday 4/19 right before Easter, and the park was set up for a themed "scavenger hunt" style Easter egg hunt. The staff was VERY helpful, professional, and pleasant, and we has a blast sharing this very beautiful and unique outdoor family adventure! read more