Sacramento to Petaluma Road Trip Itinerary

Kickstart Your Trip Outdoors

After cruising by scenic San Pablo Bay, take Lakeville Highway to Petaluma.

Get some fresh air at Tolay Lake Regional Park while learning about the Coast Miwok indigenous people, who consider it a sacred place.

For a short, quick hike, take the loop around Helen Putnam Regional Park in Petaluma.

Afterward, enjoy a locally sourced, organic breakfast or lunch at Aqus Café. Or, for something on the go, visit Avid Coffee for matcha or cappuccino and pastries.

Take a memorable farm tour at Achadinha Cheese Company, and visit “the girls” (a.k.a. the cows). If you want a once-in-a-lifetime experience, take the full cheesemaking class where you will roll up your sleeves and get your hands in curds and whey. Lunch and lots of cheese tasting are included.

Petaluma is home to many farms and creameries, like Lavender Bee Farm, which offers tours of this picturesque honey farm by appointment.

Sweet Treat

Stroll downtown Petaluma, the charming town is full of quaint shops, and the 150-year-old Main Street was once chosen as one of the best Main Streets in the West by Sunset Magazine.

Satisfy a sweet tooth at Angela’s Ice Cream for a variety of super-premium, small-batch ice cream flavors in gourmet flavors, including many gluten-free and vegan options.

Stop at Sonoma Portworks, a hidden gem that specializes in port-style dessert wines that you can sample and enjoy. Choose a few favorites to bring home as excellent gifts.

Evening Adventure

In the heart of downtown Petaluma, check in at Hotel Petaluma, a beautiful historic hotel that dates back to the early 1900s.

Nearby, savor a glass of wine at Barber Cellars and dive into a delicious dinner at The Shuckery.

Craft beer lovers can grab a cold one at Brewsters Beer Garden or Lagunitas. Both feature outdoor seating, hearty eats, and local beers on tap.

Other excellent accommodations for your memorable stay include the Hampton Inn Petaluma, the Quality Inn, and the Sheraton Sonoma Wine Country Petaluma.

Local Breakfast

Today, it’s time to discover the beautiful, historic town of Sonoma.

Start the day at the girl & the fig, where the food is fresh, local, and seasonal. Some favorites include the quiche and the croque monsieur. While you’re there, grab a jar of their popular fig compote — the perfect complement to picnics and charcuterie.

Alternatively, you can head to Sonoma Market to pick up breakfast at the coffee shop and picnic fixings for later. The extensive deli and prepared foods bar is hard to resist.

World-Renowned Wine Tasting

Sonoma Wine Country offers plenty of iconic wine-tasting experiences. Start at Buena Vista Winery, a historic California landmark and the oldest commercial winery. Experience their unique 20-minute light, sound, and visual show and tour, and follow it up with a flight of wine paired with cheese and charcuterie.

Other wineries to explore include Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery, Viansa Sonoma, and Gundlach Bundschu Winery. Bring your walking shoes so you can tour the wine cellars and stroll outdoors. Come for the wine, stay for the views!

For food with your tour, check out Gourmet Food and Wine Tours. A well-connected guide will take you around the Sonoma Plaza, where you can hear about California history through local landmarks and architecture while sampling wine with farm-to-table dishes.

Visit Cornerstone Sonoma, a family-friendly marketplace for artisanal food, wine, art, and gardens. Take in their ever-changing collection of walk-through gardens, galleries, and shops all in one place.

Cozy Stay in Glen Ellen

Venture to nearby Glen Ellen, the small town that renowned author Jack London once called home. History and literary buffs will enjoy a stay at the Jack London Lodge, a cozy lodge located creekside near downtown.

For a spa experience with your accommodations, consider Gaige House + Ryokan or Olea Hotel. Both are boutique hotels offering relaxing spa treatments and exceptional service.

For dinner, enjoy the local Glen Ellen Star, highlighted by a seasonal, international menu. Popular offerings include their whole fish, brick chicken, and wood-fired pizzas.

Or in the neighboring town of Kenwood, try Salt & Stone, recognized for its wine and seafood selection and lovely patio seating. Try the raw oysters, crispy curry calamari, or the prawn and scallop pappardelle.

Explore the History

Start the day at the French bakery Les Pascals with morning coffee and almond croissants. Pick up baguettes and macarons to bring home.

Explore Jack London State Park and tour London’s longtime home and artifacts from his life. Spanning 1,400 acres, Jack London State Park beckons guests to spend the entire day in the lush, sprawling park with a museum and several other landmarks to explore.

You can also head to Sugarloaf Ridge State Park to explore its 25 miles of hiking trails that include a seasonal waterfall and incredible views of the Sonoma Valley.

Unique Wineries

While in Glen Ellen, learn about biodynamic and green farming at Benziger Family Winery – a pioneer in sustainable farming. Take the tram tour for a truly educational and interesting tour.

Stop at B.R. Cohn Winery & Olive Oil, where you can also taste and shop for craft bottles of olive oil and vinegar to take home. If you’re lucky, you might catch a featured musician playing live. After all, Bruce Cohn, the winery’s founder, managed the Doobie Brothers for 45 years.

In adjacent Kenwood, explore the beautiful property at Landmark Vineyards for their always-changing tasting menu and winery tour by appointment. Landmark also offers complimentary horse-drawn vineyard tours and has gardens that include bocce ball.

Just around the corner, immerse yourself in the lush European-style gardens at Chateau St. Jean, where you can learn about their rich history while tasting a selection of reserve wines.

Sip and Cycle

For an adventure, see Sonoma Valley by bike with Getaway Adventures. Explore on your own or take a guided tour with a Sonoma County expert. Pedal your way to various wineries and stop for a quick picnic to refuel. Bikes include pedal-assist in case you need a boost after all the delicious wine and cheese.

Stroll the Plaza

In Sonoma, treat your tastebuds at Della Santina’s for traditional Italian fare, LaSalette Restaurant for Portuguese cuisine, or Hopmonk for their outdoor beer garden, tavern eats, and frequent live music.

Before you hit the road, stroll the Sonoma Plaza to check out the art galleries or stock up on bottles of wine from Three Sticks, WALT Wines, or Schug Carneros Estate Winery.

If you are not ready to go home yet, stay for a soak in the famous natural mineral waters at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, a beautiful spa retreat with a wide array of refreshing and relaxing services.