It’s no secret that Northern California offers many beautiful places to explore, and a standout among these is Petaluma. One of over 30 cities making up Sonoma County, Petaluma is a uniquely historic, charming riverside town, offering a new adventure around every corner for the whole family. Whether you’re the active type looking for natural wonders to discover, someone who likes to indulge in excellent food and drinks, a history buff or a combination of all three, Petaluma is sure to capture your heart the moment you step foot in it. Check out some of our picks for the best things to do in Petaluma.
Get Outside
Petaluma is known for mild weather throughout the year, boasting summers that don’t tend to exceed temperatures of around 85 F and short winters that hover around 40 F. The best time to get outside and explore the area is from late June to September, but there’s hardly a time of year when the weather requires you to stay inside, which means there is almost endless opportunity to maintain an active lifestyle in Petaluma’s beautiful natural environment.
During the warmer months, the sparkling Petaluma River invites you to float atop its serene waters on a stand-up paddleboard, a kayak, a pedal boat or even a jet-ski. River cruises are also available and are a great way to explore historic Downtown Petaluma.
In addition to a pleasant climate year-round, Petaluma’s proximity to both California’s wine country and the coast makes for some truly breathtaking flora and fauna. Rent a bike or grab your own and pedal out — or simply strap on your best hiking boots — to explore any one of the area’s numerous regional parks. For more serious bikers with a little more stamina, you can embark on the 30-mile Spring Hill-Chileno Valley ride, which takes you through many of Sonoma and Marin County’s best views. Or, check out Shollenberger Park, one of Petaluma’s most popular parks, and hike or bike five miles of paved trails through historic wetlands. This is an especially great bike ride for amateur ornithologists — over 230 species of birds call the wetlands home, and if you’re lucky, you’ll spot a few as you explore.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in California? Head to the beach. Petaluma is a short, half-hour or so drive from nearby Bodega Bay, a popular beach town offering miles of coastline to explore, as well as a thriving local community full of shops, restaurants and more. Fun fact for any movie buffs out there: Bodega Village is where Alfred Hitchcock filmed his 1963 thriller, The Birds. Also within a half-hour’s drive is Pt. Reyes National Seashore, a 70,000-acre recreation area offering 150 miles of trails along coastal grasslands, marshes and forests. Also, Pt. Reyes and Bodega Bay are both wonderful spots to enjoy fresh oysters.
Indulge in Local Specialties
Even if you haven’t heard of Petaluma, chances are you’ve heard of some of the many famously good wines, beers, cheese and more that are produced here. It’s a haven for anyone who enjoys great food, drinks and conversation all in one spot.
Petaluma’s location makes it an ideal place for growing and producing excellent and unique wines of all varieties. The opening in the coastal mountains surrounding the area, known as the “gap,” draws in wind and fog from the Pacific, allowing the region to maintain an ideal temperature for fertile grape growth. Because of this, Petaluma was actually designated as an American Viticultural Area (AVA) for wine — meaning that wine tasting with any of the Petaluma Gap wineries in town is an absolute must. Their intimate, friendly tasting rooms offer a wine-tasting experience without frills, meaning you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy yourself. It’s the perfect way to spend a date night, or to get to know some of the other locals in this charming town.
Petaluma’s craft beer scene is similarly well-regarded. Home to famous breweries such as Lagunitas, Petaluma has been at the forefront of California’s craft brewing landscape for over two decades. In addition to creative craft brews, many of Petaluma’s craft breweries and taprooms are a great family-friendly place to enjoy a dinner out, catch some live music or try your hand at some trivia. Many even allow pets — so when we say the whole family, we mean the whole family.
Wine, beer and…what’s missing here? Cheese! Petaluma is home a wide variety of ranches and creameries that produce some of California’s most popular cheeses, including the oldest operating creamery in the U.S., the Marin French Cheese Company. Many of Petaluma’s creameries welcome interested cheese aficionados to visit and try their artisan cheeses as you learn about their cheesemaking practice and discover why Petaluma’s cheese really is something to write home about. Families with kids, especially, will love the chance to explore ranch properties and say hello to the amazing animals responsible for producing such delightful treats.
Discover Some Local History & Culture
As one of California’s oldest cities — originally chartered in 1858 — Petaluma has almost two centuries of fascinating history to explore. Historic Downtown Petaluma even has many original foundations from that time period, making it one of the best remaining examples of iron-front architecture in the country.
As you stroll the streets of Petaluma, you can marvel at examples of Victorian-era houses, still standing proud after so many years. Downtown Petaluma is also home to the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, a great place to spend an afternoon with the family learning about the history of this town dating all the way back to the Gold Rush. And because Petaluma has such a rich history, it is a veritable gold mine of antique treasures, offering more antique stores per capita than any other Bay Area city.
Petaluma has plenty of excitement to be found in the modern era, too. From an outlet mall with over 60 stores to browse, a variety of fairs and festivals running throughout the year and so much more, you and your family will have no trouble finding fun ways to spend your days in this charming town.
Find Your Aspect Home in Petaluma with Lafferty Communities
What else does Petaluma have to offer? Beautiful homes to call your own, courtesy of Lafferty Communities. Our Aspect community, featuring a stunning blend of Farmhouse, Craftsman and Victorian elements, is perfect for any family looking for the next place to settle down. Interested to hear more? Let’s chat.