Overview
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.
4 sights · 4 things to do · 14 places to eat · 7 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Petaluma
Petaluma Historical Library and Museum
Neoclassical library with regional exhibits about the 1850s (Petaluma poultry, dairy, and Miwok Indian history), plus cultural events, guided tours, and a gift shop.
Petaluma Wildlife & Natural History Museum
The largest student-run museum in the United States, its mission is "to inspire the next generation through practical environmental education and conservation."
Shollenberger Park
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.
Helen Putnam Regional Park
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 …
Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park
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 t…
Petaluma Arts Center
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.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–Nov. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 38°F. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Sonoma)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- STS Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport, Santa Rosa — 21 mi away. Directions
- CCR Buchanan Field, Concord — 36 mi away. Directions
- OAK Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, Oakland — 43 mi away (major hub). Directions
There are a few ways to enter the city. However, the two most common ways are from the freeway or the backroads.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Petaluma Arts Center, Petaluma Historical Library and Museum, Petaluma Wildlife & Natural History Museum
- Lunch Volpi's Ristorante & Bar
- Afternoon Shollenberger Park, Helen Putnam Regional Park
- Dinner Chunky's Taqueria & Grill
- Evening Aqus Cafe
Day 2
- Morning Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park
- Lunch Della Fattoria Downtown Café
- Afternoon David Yearsley River Heritage Center
- Dinner Mi Pueblo
- Evening Lagunitas Brewing Company
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Downtown Petaluma is filled with inexpensive yet tasty eateries of many sorts. Thai lovers will want to try all five Thai restaurants within a one-mile stretch along the Boulevard. Numerous small, upscale bistros abound.
Vegetarians will have no problem here. Equally, vegans and people on gluten-free diets shouldn't have any real trouble. Petaluma simply has very good restaurants and used to locally be referred to as "the restaurant capital of California."
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Petaluma was founded in 1848, as a crossroads and marketplace for southern Sonoma and northern Marin counties. Agriculture is and always was central to the town's identity.
In the early part of the 1900s, Petaluma was known as the "Egg Basket of the World" due to the large number of chicken farms nearby. Although electronic industries, especially telecom, have started displacing Petaluma's numerous cattle, chicken, and sheep ranches, much of Petaluma still maintains the feel of the old cow-town.
Get in
There are a few ways to enter the city. However, the two most common ways are from the freeway or the backroads.
HWY 101: The main way to arrive Petaluma is via Highway 101 North or South. HWY 116 W merges with HWY 101 N at the second exit in town. There are four main exits off the freeway: Petaluma Blvd So., Lakeville/116, Washington St. and Petaluma Blvd. No. HWY 1: Offers another way in to Petaluma. From the coastal Highway take the Point Reyes-Petaluma Road which eventually turns into D Street and leads you directly into downtown Petaluma. Old Redwood Highway & Stoney Point Road: Alternative backroads between Santa Rosa and Petaluma. All are popular cycling routes for athletes and commuters, so share the road!
While a car is the fastest and easiest way to travel in and out of the city, there is also a bus service. Golden Gate Transit provides intercounty bus service (Sonoma, Marin, & San Francisco counties). Sonoma County Transit provides service within Sonoma County only. Amtrak also provides connecting bus service.
One of the more enjoyable ways to enter and exit the city is by bicycle. For cycle enthusiasts there are numerous backroads and alternative routes to enjoy.
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 San Francisco. The segment from Novato to Petaluma is quite scenic, with marshes and hills rolling by. However, the train is primarily for commuters, so the mid-day and weekend schedules are very limited.
Petaluma Downtown SMART station is a short walk from downtown.
Get around
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. Should you happen to find parking, strictly adhere to the time limits posted. Tickets are given. There are parking garages downtown and ample parking in them. Many places are accessible by foot downtown, but unless you are adventurous, plan to drive from downtown to the outlet shopping area. Cycling is another very pleasant option around town.
For those averse to walking or driving, Petaluma Transit provides free bus service during limited hours.
See
Petaluma has a beautiful, historic downtown area which has appeared in several films depicting mid-20th-Century life.
Do
Do David Yearsley River Heritage Center
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.
Do Sonoma Horse Park
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.
Do Helen Putnam Regional Park
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.
Buy
Eat
Downtown Petaluma is filled with inexpensive yet tasty eateries of many sorts. Thai lovers will want to try all five Thai restaurants within a one-mile stretch along the Boulevard. Numerous small, upscale bistros abound.
Vegetarians will have no problem here. Equally, vegans and people on gluten-free diets shouldn't have any real trouble. Petaluma simply has very good restaurants and used to locally be referred to as "the restaurant capital of California."
Drink Aqus Cafe
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".
Eat Chunky's Taqueria & Grill
A go-to spot for inexpensive and fast Mexican food.
Eat Della Fattoria Downtown Café
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.
Eat Mi Pueblo
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.
Eat Old Chicago Pizza
Some of the thickest-crust pizza you'll see; the large pizza weighs more than pounds, not including any toppings.
Eat Petaluma Pie Company
A bakery cafe that offers sweet and savory pies, salad, coffee, tea and more; take out or eat-in (outdoor seating).
Eat Real Doner
Unexpectedly good Turkish fare. A relaxed and deli-style with an outdoor patio. The doners, dolmas, and mezes (appetizer plate) are sublime.
Eat Tea Room Cafe
Has a light, seasonal menu featuring tons of salads and sandwiches as well as many fine brunch items; limited outdoor seating.
Eat Volpi's Ristorante & Bar
A generations-old Italian restaurant serving full seven-course family-style meals and the best eggplant Parmesan.
Desserts:
Eat Fru-ta
Ice cream, sorbets, paletas (fruit bars or ice cream bars), esquimal, smoothies, milkshakes, aqua frescas, and a number of specialty items
Eat Lala's Creamery (Angela’s Organic Ice Cream)
Organic, local ingredients for 20+ ice creams and sorbets; includes vegan options.
Eat Once Upon A Slush
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.
Eat Street Social
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.
Drink
Drink Lagunitas Brewing Company
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.
Drink Brewsters Beer Garden + Restaurant
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.
Drink McNear's
Serves good American-style food and drinks with a fun atmosphere.
Drink Mystic Theater
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.
Drink Willowbrook Ale House
For some pool (billiards), drinks, and karaoke (on Friday and Saturday nights).
Sleep
Nearby
Cotati
City / town · 1 listings · 7 mi away
Rohnert Park
City / town · 26 listings · 8 mi away
El Verano
City / town · 12 listings · 9 mi away
Sonoma
City / town · 66 listings · 10 mi away
Glen Ellen
City / town · 30 listings · 10 mi away
Novato
City / town · 24 listings · 10 mi away
Kenwood
City / town · 15 listings · 13 mi away
Santa Rosa
City / town · 48 listings · 14 mi away
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