Getting Around Petaluma

The vibrant town of Petaluma, located in California’s Sonoma Wine Country, boasts a well-preserved historic downtown and a waterfront along the Petaluma River. Petaluma is a foodie haven, renowned for its wines, craft beers, olive oils, artisanal cheeses, bakeries, and acclaimed restaurants.

Here are all the ways you can get here and have some fun.

Cruise By Car

Petaluma is filled with Victorian-era homes and elaborate downtown buildings, plus an engaging mix of boutiques, antique shops, specialty stores, and restaurants. Whether you bring your own vehicle or rent a car, driving in and around Petaluma provides scenic views.

Relax with a Driver or Tour

You can leave the driving to the professionals, like Petaluma Green Taxi, which offers both local and out-of-town rides.

If you’re interested in a limo or luxury vehicle, look no further than Pure Luxury Transportation.

Whether you want to go wine tasting, stroll the redwoods, explore small towns, or take in the incredible coastal views, Sonoma County tour companies have you covered.

Check our listings for Sightseeing & Tours and Transportation for comfortable vans, fun motorized trolleys, open-air Jeeps, vintage biplanes, and even designated drivers to customize tours.

Hop on a Bus or Train

• In and around Petaluma, try Petaluma Transit, with stops typically every few blocks along each route.
• From Petaluma to Santa Rosa, check out Sonoma County Transit buses.
• From San Francisco, Golden Gate Transit provides bus routes and schedules.
• The Sonoma-Marin Area Regional Transit is a sleek, clean-diesel SMART train that carries passengers between Sonoma County and Marin County with a historic train depot in the heart of downtown Petaluma. For details, read Exploring Sonoma County by SMART Train.

Fly to Sonoma Wine Country

Nearby in Santa Rosa, the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport (STS) offers convenient flights. Here, you can find rental cars, taxis, and other ground transportation options.

Groome Transportation runs buses between STS, San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and Oakland International Airport (OAK), with stops in Petaluma and Sonoma Wine Country.

Bike the Trails

Discover Sonoma County Bike Rentals and Tours. Petaluma offers a range of cycling routes, from easy bike rides on dedicated trails to more challenging hillside treks.

• Near downtown Petaluma, bike at Helen Putnam Regional Park to feel like you’re in remote wilderness on six miles of mostly gentle trails amid panoramic views.
• Along the Petaluma River, the 165-acre Shollenberger Park offers five miles of flat paved and gravel biking/walking paths. The bird watching is great, and there’s a fishing pier.
• The Petaluma Wheelmen Cycling Club hosts local rides and provides details about popular rides out of Petaluma. You can also download a map of Petaluma Bicycle & Pedestrian Routes.

For more ideas about exploring Sonoma County on two wheels, check our Guide to Cycling in Sonoma County and Popular Bike Itineraries: Cycling through Wine Country.

Walk or Hike

Stretch your legs all over Petaluma as the charming town is fairly flat, relatively compact, and most everything within walking distance.

• The Petaluma Historical Library & Museum offers free walking tours led by costumed docents most Saturdays, from approximately July through November.
• Just two miles from downtown, Helen Putnam Regional Park offers nearly six miles of mostly gentle trails.
• Shollenberger Park has five miles of flat trails next to the Petaluma River.

For additional ideas about where to go and what to do, read 5 Fun Things to Do in Petaluma, What Petaluma is Famous For, and 12 Tour Ideas for Exploring Sonoma Wine Country.

Discover more Things To Do, Hotels & Lodging, and Food & Wine throughout Sonoma County.