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City in California, United States
Photo: Robert Campbell, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Petaluma is a charming historic town of 60,000 people (2020) amid the hills and pastures of Sonoma County in the Bay Area of California. Petaluma is known for its well-preserved historic center and as a local hub for the Petaluma Valley region of Sonoma County.
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Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park was the main residence of Rancho Petaluma, the agricultural empire that General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, one of the most powerful men in the Mexican Province of California from 1834 to 1846.
A 4,500 square foot facility located in the historic Railroad Depot Freight Building, next door to the Petaluma Visitors Center and the SMART station.
Neoclassical library with regional exhibits about the 1850s (Petaluma poultry, dairy, and Miwok Indian history), plus cultural events, guided tours, and a gift shop.
The largest student-run museum in the United States, its mission is "to inspire the next generation through practical environmental education and conservation."
A popular location for boating, you can watch, or - thanks to the Friends of the Petaluma River - you can participate in the free "Boating at the Barn" program - you can check out a rowboat, canoe, kayak, or possibly even the sailboat, after a short safety demonstration.
A world-class horse show facility on the banks of the Petaluma River. The 75-acre facility has seventeen arenas and is the ideal showcase for equestrian sports. It hosts seven show jumping competitions annually, each attracting top competitors from all over North America.
The park offers a 2.2-mile, flat walking loop with ponds, next to the Petaluma river, with views of a variety of waterfowl (mostly migratory). A must for birders.
A regional park southwest of downtown Petaluma, covering 216 acres. Quiet, with some nice views; lots of trails. The looped trail system lets hikers create walks of varying length and difficulty, making the park a great choice for beginning hikers looking for a bit of a challenge. Trails are also open to cyclists and horseback riders.
A go-to spot for inexpensive and fast Mexican food.
Reservations are taken for dinner only; brunch on weekends is 8AM-3PM. Lots of things come from their bakery next door, at #141, which is open 6AM-4PM daily.
For a delicious, reasonably priced meal, absolutely try the Mexican seafood - the camarones fajitas, fish tacos, and tamales are fantastic. Seven in Sonoma and Marin counties, two of which are in Petaluma.
Some of the thickest-crust pizza you'll see; the large pizza weighs more than pounds, not including any toppings.
A bakery cafe that offers sweet and savory pies, salad, coffee, tea and more; take out or eat-in (outdoor seating).
Unexpectedly good Turkish fare. A relaxed and deli-style with an outdoor patio. The doners, dolmas, and mezes (appetizer plate) are sublime.
Has a light, seasonal menu featuring tons of salads and sandwiches as well as many fine brunch items; limited outdoor seating.
A generations-old Italian restaurant serving full seven-course family-style meals and the best eggplant Parmesan.
Ice cream, sorbets, paletas (fruit bars or ice cream bars), esquimal, smoothies, milkshakes, aqua frescas, and a number of specialty items
Angela’s Organic Ice Cream
Organic, local ingredients for 20+ ice creams and sorbets; includes vegan options.
The third location of a Healdsburg-based dessert phenomena, you can get a full (East Coast style) slush (aka Italian ice), or soft-serve ice cream, or a half-and-half.
With just six tables in 300 square feet of dining space, the restaurant experience is intimate; you feel like you’ve found a secret culinary hideout. And the food is quite excellent.
Offering sandwiches, soups & breakfast fare, plus a range of live music, it describes itself as a "community living room attracting a wide diversity of people engaging in vibrant conversations, sharing interests and building relationships".
A taproom offering snacks, a retail store & regular live music, and, of course, a variety of beers, some not sold elsewhere, from a top-rated US craft brewery.
Laid-back, open-air beer garden featuring modern BBQ, local craft beers, fire pits, and live music. A bocce court and a kids area adds to the fun, and there is plenty of space for friendly pets.
Serves good American-style food and drinks with a fun atmosphere.
Next door to McNear's, a renovated 1911 vaudeville theater now offering live music from bands all over the world, plus a bar and adjacent eatery.
For some pool (billiards), drinks, and karaoke (on Friday and Saturday nights).
An eclectic mix of antique shops and boutique businesses in a charming, historic building.
You can get a copy of coffee here, or some great ice cream, but the real attraction is the variety of local cheeses and butter for sale.
A place to buy heirloom, non-hybridized seeds - more than 1,000, plus gardening supplies and other items.
Find impressive savings at top outlets from Coach, Banana Republic, Off 5th Saks Fifth Avenue, and more.
Eclectic and irreverent shop, good for gifts or souvenirs.
This locally-owned branch of Ace Hardware has some definite local distinctiveness. In addition to hardware and home goods, there's an array of Sonoma County products and Petaluma-themed souvenirs.
An array of intriguing and useful spices and spice mixtures, laid out in an aesthetically pleasing way in a small shop. Good place for gifts.
Branch of a Bay Area bookstore chain with an interesting selection.
By train
Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit, or SMART, connects Petaluma with Windsor, Sonoma County Airport, Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Novato, San Rafael, and Larkspur, with connections to the ferry to…
It's easiest to get around by car if traveling from one end of the city to another. Downtown parking can sometimes be unavailable on the street, and the downtown area is often impassable on weekends due to events.
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Santa Rosa · Regional · STS
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