Petaluma: A Visitor’s Guide

Enjoying the city itself or as a jumping off point, this chicken town has it all.

Gabe Kleinman
10 min readJan 8, 2025
Snapped this pic when out for a run on the trails of Helen Putnam Park in January 2025.

Petaluma is one of the great, accessible-yet-hidden gems of Northern California.

Nestled at the southern edge of Sonoma County behind Sonoma Mountain (which is how it got its name), the town is a mere 30 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge, 25 minutes from downtown Sonoma, 25 minutes to epic Sonoma and Marin coastline, and surrounded by hiking and biking trails. It’s home to Bohemian hippies, conservative cow pokes, city refugees, and a surprising array of crafty companies — Amy’s Organic, Cowgirl Creamery, Camelback, and Lagunitas Brewing to name a few.

And after years of searching for a special community, it’s where I now proudly call home.

As the number of our family’s visitors has increased, so too have questions of “What should we do, where shall we eat, and what can we squeeze in while we’re here?”

Below are a few recommendations for all y’all coming to visit.

Breakfast & Coffee Time

The most important meal of the day is where Petaluma shines. For a sit-down meal, there are few better options than Della Fattoria (open Thurs-Sun, also good for lunch) which is delightfully festive during July 4th, Halloween, and Christmas (lattes in pottery bowls, a wide-ranging menu, and their Rosemary Lemon Loaf is a classic). Eggspresso is another good sit-down spot on the east side.

Out to breakfast with my daughter at Della Fattoria (left), and a view from the counter at Stellina Pronto! (right).

If you’re looking for grab-and-go, The Bagel Mill sourdough bagels rival any from New York and (in my opinion) has the best coffee in town. There is also Stellina Pronto!, an Italian bakery which dazzles with its delectables (and coffee), serves pizza later in the afternoon/evening, and on Fridays offers a truly “eggy”” challah. Avid Coffee does delightful coffee (but be prepared to wait), and the recently-opened Sarmetine is worth checking out if you’re headed north along the boulevard. If you’re looking for a greasy spoon, Petaluma has those too (e.g., Sax’s Joint, Hallie’s Diner).

Beer Gardens, Cocktails, and Wineries

Let’s start with the beer gardens. First up is Brewsters, best known for its holiday insanity (see below), tasty food (get the carrots), quick service, appealing atmosphere for all audiences, a comfy fire pit, and…slightly higher-priced fare. For less expensive goods head across the river to The Block, with rotating food trucks, more televisions for sports fans, and a comfortable live music vibe. Crooked Goat is just up the street, with order-in food options (including Acme Burger and Stefano’s Pizza). And on the east side, there’s the classic Lagunitas Brewing Company Taproom as well as Henhouse Brewing and the Griffo Distillery (Fri-Sun) just across the street.

On road between beer garden and cocktails look no further than McNear’s Saloon, self-proclaimed as Petaluma’s Favorite American Bar and Restaurant. Great for families as well, with an upstairs game room where the kids can run around.

Brewsters, going over the top at the holidays.

If you’re looking to grab a cocktail, you’re in luck. First stop would be Mario & John’s for a round of masterfully-mixed drinks and billiards. Next up would be the lobby of Hotel Petaluma, where you can cozy up by the fire in deep leather couches underneath vaulted ceilings and order bites from a small menu (it is also connected to The Shuckery — a great spot for happy hour oysters and more). Lastly and right next door is Barber Lee Spirits, a distillery and tasting room with cocktails galore.

And then there’s The Buckhorn, which doubles as a liquor store. So there’s that.

Note: There are obviously wineries, but I’m not a wine guy, so I’d suggest looking elsewhere for those recommendations.

Out-And-About: Lunch, Ice Cream, & Easy Dinner

Don’t sleep on lunch in Petaluma. In addition to many spots listed above, here are some not-to-be-missed essentials.

Let’s start with a personal favorite, Pearl. Lunch only (closed Tues/Wed). Run with an iron fist by its owner Annette, this sit-down is a stalwart of Petaluma and guaranteed to leave you satiated. I’d next go to the Italian deli and market Stellina Alimentari, owned by the same duo as Stellina Pronto! mentioned above. Also a guarantee.

Looking for a salad or a warm bowl? Look no further than Lunchette, a quick, easy, delicious spot started by Chez Panisse alum. If you want to chill at a Petaluma institution on your way west, Ray’s Deli is the place to go for towering sandos and beers. Hand pie? Check out the Petaluma Pie Company downtown!

On the easy dinner front, there is the one and only Stockhome. This is a truly special establishment, a Michelin Bib Gourmond awardee that will leave you grinning ear to ear (note: eat there, don’t do takeout — it’s just the best when it’s piping hot and plated).

I’d next go with Sol Food serving up Puerto Rican fare that always delivers (multiple locations, this one is located in Theater Square). Ensalada con pollo with that lemon garlic vinagrette and a little pique sauce? Yes please.

Looking for Mexican? El Roy’s is our go-to (multiple locations), Quiote is new and popular, and if you want a sit-down experience, Mi Pueblo El Centro is a solid spot (multiple locations).

How about pizza? Stellina Pronto! is New Haven-style and tough to beat, Acre Pizza has pinball (and superb pizza, make sure to go to the Petaluma location), followed by a long list of others (e.g., New Yorker, Stefano’s, Brixx).

Fancy an ice cream? Two places come to mind: Angela’s Organic on the Boulevard is my girls’ favorite, but I also love the Petaluma Creamery off Western Ave — a Sonoma County classic.

Enjoying saloon grub and a drink with my friend Tom at McNear’s Saloon.

If you’re looking to eat-in or make your own dinner, there’s another option: Anna’s Seafood. Not a restaurant, but a seafood shop with the best stuff around. We go here weekly. But beware, one of the guys who works there is a bit mean and can bite. Just ignore his snark and focus on the food.

And lastly, Petaluma Market. A cheese counter to rival any other, prepared foods for easy grab-and-go (from breakfast to dinner), and more.

Dinnertime For Adults

What differentiates Petaluma from most points south all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge is its superb dining. In no particular order:

Looking beyond the city limits, there’s almost too much to explore within the confines of this humble post. To make it palatable, below are a few day trip options that you can mix and match as you see fit.

All the driving is throughout the beautiful, rolling hillsides of West Sonoma and West Marin.

I happen to be a big cheese fan, and Sonoma and Marin coincidentally have some of the finest cheesemakers in the world — so you will see lots of cheese visits peppered in here. Worth noting that while the Sonoma Marin Cheese Trail has oodles of info, most of the farms are not easily accessible nor open on weekends. And lastly, a PSA: never turn your back on the ocean when you’re on the California coast.

Day Trip #1 (Easy): Occidental & The Bohemian Highway [Map]

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in town (Della opens at 8am, Eggspresso at 7:30am) and then head out to Occidental for an easy walk in the woods at the Landpaths Grove of the Old Trees, making sure to check out the Buddah just off the path. From there head back into Occidental for a cup of coffee (or something more) at The Altamont. You can then head to one of the greatest bakeries in California, Wild Flour (try their garlic rosemary loaf, fougasse, or cheddar jalapeno scone), and stroll their beautiful garden/grounds. On the way home stop by the Valley Ford Cheese Company in, you guessed it, the town of Valley Ford, for some cheese (make sure to get the curds), lunch, and your third coffee of the day. While not on the map, if you want to walk all of it off, Helen Putnam Regional Park is on your way home on the outskirts of town.

Day Trip #1A (Easy): Dillon Beach & The Bohemian Highway, or Dillon Beach & Hog Island Oyster in Marshall [Map]

If you’re aiming for a beach day, Dillon Beach is a great spot and close. Same as above, swapping out Dillon Beach for Occidental, but you gotta get there on the earlier side especially on nice or hot weekend days when the parking lot could fill up and you’ll be stuck in a long line of traffic going into the town (and it could be foggy in the AM, depending on the time of year). Dillon Beach is ideal for families with kids. Another option is to make a reservation at the Hog Island Boat Oyster Bar for late lunch in Marshall, and head home from there (Hog Island is open Friday-Monday).

Dillon Beach with daughter and friend.

Day Trip #2 (Moderate): Hike, Lunch, & Some Cheese [Map]

Start by grabbing a bagel or a pastry early in the AM (Bagel Mill opens at 7am, Stellina at 6:30am), and head south to the beautiful Big Rock Hike off Lucas Valley Road (three hours round trip, and totally worth it — across from Skywalker Ranch). Reward yourself with lunch and Pliny on tap at the storied Rancho Nicasio (Clapton, Jerry Garcia, and more have graced it with its presence), and make sure to hit up the Nicasio Valley Cheese Company for a free sample on your way toward the Marin French Cheese Company, where you can grab a coffee, enjoy their sprawling, beautiful 700-acre grounds, and yes, enjoy a little more cheese. Head on home for a little R&R at the Hotel Petaluma before you go out on the town.

Day Trip #3 (Long): Bodega Bay → Goat Rock Beach → Armstrong Woods -> The Barlow [Map]

If you’re starved for time, this is a “pack it in” kinda day, but a glorious one at that. Get out of Petaluma early and head straight for the Bodega Head Trailhead, and take the West Trail for a 40-Minute hike with beautiful views. On your way out of town, hit up Fisherman’s Cove for a bite to eat (oysters, clam chowder, fried avocado — it’s all great) even though many people would recommend its more touristy neighbor, Spud Point. From there head north to Goat Rock Beach, a truly epic spot not to be missed (please beware: never turn your back on the ocean, sneaker waves do make an appearance in the winter months and are dangerous). From there you can cruise east along the Russian River, stopping anywhere for wine, bubbly apple juice from Korbel, to check out the Alister MacKenzie-designed Northwood for a quick nine holes in the redwoods. If possible, visit the gorgeous redwoods at Armstrong Woods State Park north of Guerneville, and then hit The Barlow in Sebastopol for an afternoon pickmeup or an early dinner and some shopping. Don’t worry, they have cheese at The Barlow.

Armstrong Redwood State Park (source, better than any pictures I have)

Day Trip #4 (Long): Abbott’s Lagoon @ Pt. Reyes National Seashore [Map]

While the Point Reyes National Seashore is all spectacular, you can skip the visitor’s center and head straight to the Abbott’s Lagoon trailhead. Packed lunch is recommended. You could spend all day there, or just do a quick out-and-back hike. Once you hit the sand, it’s hard to resist cutting right and heading up/over those silky smooth dunes to the water. On your way home, hit up the Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company, one of the greatest in the world, for a quick visit or a sit-down meal at The Fork. The town of Point Reyes Station is a West Marin mainstay, with plenty to offer passersby. And if you have the energy and they are open, pop by McEvoy Ranch for some olive oil and wine before heading back to town — it’s on the way back to Petaluma.

Pictures from over the years at Point Reyes National Seashore. And we made a picnic table and chairs from driftwood, how novel!

Miscellaneous Stuff

Here’s the catch-all:

  • Butter and Egg Days: Every April, Petaluma hosts an annual three-day festival and parade celebrating the agriculture (and the culture of that agriculture) that brings our community together. And it is just plain fun.
  • Petaluma Speedway: At the fairgrounds we have a speedway, and it’s nuts — but bring ear plugs!
  • American Graffiti Car Show: George Lucas filmed the American classic American Graffiti in Petaluma, and every year vintage cars take over the downtown streets in tribute.
  • Petaluma Arts Center: Right next to the SMART Train Station and open at odd hours, I know little about it other than it is a very cool place.
  • Petaluma Historical Library & Museum: Did you know Petaluma played a major role in the women’s suffrage movement? Neither did I, until I came here. Right in the heart of downtown as well.
  • Louis Thomas Men’s Shop: OK, so this is random, but if you’re a guy and want to go to an old school men’s shop which are a dying breed, I recommend Louis Thomas.

That’s it for now. If you have any suggestions or additions, feel free to leave comments in the post. Come visit Petaluma!

My brother Seth and sister-in-law Joan posing for this post, just outside Acme Burger and Crooked Goat Brewing.

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