The riverside town of Petaluma (pop. 57,941) on Sonoma County's Highway 101 was once called the "Egg Basket of the World" for its bustling egg industry in the early 20th century.
Petaluma is now a foodie haven, with dining options that include a mix of ethnic cuisines and awarding-winning restaurants using the best locally grown and produced products.
Known for its wines, Petaluma also boasts world-class beers and ales, award-winning olive oils, and artisan cheeses that are served in some of the finest restaurants nationwide. And Petaluma has a wide array of lodging choices, from brand names to charming inns.Â
Built on secure bedrock, Petaluma was one of the few Bay Area communities not damaged in the 1906 earthquake. Â
Today, Petaluma's well-preserved city center is filled with an engaging mix of boutiques, antiques shops, and specialty stores, many in historic buildings.
The town boasts a thriving arts community, with more than a dozen downtown art galleries, exhibiting handcrafted jewelry, paintings, and sculpture by contemporary artists of local and international renown.
Picturesque Petaluma has captured the attention of numerous filmmakers, serving as a location for many major films — American Graffiti (1973), Cujo (1983), Peggy Sue Got Married (1986), Basic Instinct (1992), Scream (1996), Pleasantville (1998), Cheaper by the Dozen (2003), and many more.Â
Trip Ideas
Within a block of the fascinating antique, clothing, book and home decor shops that line the streets of this historic Sonoma County town is a charmingly restored gem from a bygone era: Hotel Petaluma...
The Sonoma County town of Petaluma offers noteworthy antique shops, bookstores, fashion shops, and quite a few high-end boutiques — including some that cross over from home to fashion — all with the...
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay were not the first choice when the late Peter Pfendler planted his vineyards in the 1990s, but they're the stars today at Sonoma County's Pfendler Vineyards winery.I'm not...
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Every year, Cinnabar Theater produces a thrilling mix of plays, musicals, operas, and concerts in a remarkable range of genres. Cinnabar’s Young Rep offers extensive activities for local youth, and…
The Achadinha (Osh-a-deen-a) Cheese Company is a family operated ranch lead by Jim and Donna Pacheco along with their four children William, Daniel, Elizabeth and David. This family tradition began 3…
One of the best parks for wildlife viewing of the many species of birds and other wildlife that can be seen here. The park features a two-mile circular trail and a one-mile cutoff trail across an iron…
Riverfront Art Gallery is an award-winning gallery located in Historic Downtown Petaluma. We exhibit Fine Art Photography and Paintings from North Bay Artists. We are a Cooperative gallery. Our…
We are a locally-owned and operated certified organic farm and CSA with a seasonal store onsite. Here at First Light Farm our farmers and owners, Jesse Pizzitola and Lisa Murgatroyd, bring you super…
Lombardi’s is a family owned and operated business in Petaluma serving finger-licking barbecue alongside local, gourmet deli food. From our famous barbecue sandwiches made with pork, chicken, turkey,…
Great local diner, super friendly people working and eating here, amazing food, fresh squeezed orange juice, great cornmeal pancakes. Worth planning your trip to include breakfast at Hallies.
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…
With the best price of any national chain, visit the vineyards, walk among the redwoods and see the coast, all without breaking your budget. Free local calls, free morning coffee, free HBO. Kids under…
Sure to become the Pearl of Petaluma, The Shuckery is the culinary brain child of Oyster Girl owners, and entrepreneurial sisters, Jazmine and Aluxa Lalicker. This new seafood inspired establishment,…