This lavish ranch produces olive oil and wine grown on the property. You can reserve a tasting that overlooks their pond in just a short 8 minute drive from downtown. Add a walking tour alongside your tasting to explore the entire grounds and catch a glimpse of Wayne Thiebaud frescos, architectural pagodas, and a piano Elton John once played.
This is a regional park with hiking trails (which you can access from downtown Petaluma if you like a substantial walk). You can also drive to the entrance, but a place to escape into oak groves, rolling hills, with ample birdwatching within a short distance.
Some food! Mary is a small-scale baker using local flours and highly seasonal produce in a Little House on the Prairie-style wagon that is parked at a one-room schoolhouse transformed into a farm stand. We believe this is California culture at its finest.
This bakery/restaurant serves wonderful breakfast, salads, and sandwiches on their homemade sourdough bread. Open Thurs-Sun for breakfast & lunch.
Have you clocked that bread is huge in this part of California? Stellina makes insanely delicious pastries, sandwiches, and pizza for all appetites. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a mid-day snack.
Great spot that serves delicate, French-inspired breakfast and lunch.
Fun, delicious spot for locally caught seafood situated directly in Hotel Petaluma.
A giant burrito and a giant margarita and gaudy frescos painted directly on the walls? This is a local, no frills Cali-Mexican spot that everyone in Petaluma gets take-out from at least once a week.
A local celebrity. This restaurant serves Puerto Rican food with something for everyone. Beans, rice, proteins, plantains, coconut-drinks, and lime-green decor. Always consistent and just really, really good.
French cuisine made by a burly French man who loves to give hugs. Don't let this deter you- the food is wonderful and the experience is a real treat.
Great for families and convening in large groups outdoors. They serve pretty decent bar food as well.
This is a favorite sit-down restaurant looking out over Tomales Bay where you can enjoy local bounty, such as oysters, bread, and produce. We suggest taking the drive from Petaluma down to this restaurant and exploring the Highway 1 all the way to Point Reyes.
This spot is where you can buy oysters directly from the source and shuck on site. Bring a some mignonette, some Muscadet, and enjoy an afternoon along the bay. A great spot for groups.
Explore this National Park to be in awe of coastal California. We love stopping in Point Reyes Station (check out: Point Reyes Books, Bovine Bakery, Brickmaiden Breads, Palace Market, Cowgirl Creamery, or Station-House Cafe) Some hikes worth checking out: Chimney Rock is an easy, family-friendly hike you can take to check out coastal bluffs and marine wildlife (seals!) Sky-Bear Valley Loop for shaded forests & waterfalls Abbotts Lagoon for birding & beach access Alamere Falls (a tide-dependent waterfall) Beaches: Heart's Desire Beach Drake's Beach Limantour Beach McClure's Beach
Take a hike at Muir Beach and get lunch at this British pub nestled within the seaside. A drive from Petaluma, but one full of beauty.
Best scones, breads, and pastries! Such a fun drive and on the way to Bodega Bay.
Explore the Sonoma Coast and Doran Beach in just a short drive from Petaluma. You can stop in the small town of Bodega to grab a drink at Casino Bar and check out the church from Hitchcock's The Birds.
Wanting to check out Sonoma and go wine tasting? Make lunch or dinner at Valley Swim Club. A fun, hip spot has options for everyone and makes great food that showcase local bounty.
If you're in Sonoma and want delicious Mexican food, this is your spot.
Are you a freak for an antique? This is a great, expansive antique mall in a fun town that is full of treasures. While in Sebastopol, grab some food at Ramen Gaijin, walk around The Barlow, and take a walk downtown with an ice cream in hand from Screaming Mimis.