Located 40 miles north of San Francisco in Sonoma County is an old world town mixed with all the modern luxuries of the 21st century. Petaluma, CA, is quickly becoming a hot spot within the popular California wine region.
After visiting Petaluma on a girls’ trip to celebrate my 26th birthday earlier this year, I immediately fell in love with this Northern California gem. From the restaurants to the shopping, and most importantly the wine, Petaluma should be on your bucket list for your next California adventure.
Where to Stay…
Located in the heart of downtown, Hotel Petaluma offers an old world charm with a modern twist. Built in 1923, this boutique hotel offers the ease of exploring the town without the need of a car. We stayed here for two nights in a double queen room and found the hotel to fit all of our needs, even providing us with a free wine tasting at the attached wine bar, Barber Cellars Tasting Room.
Where to Eat…
Everytime I go to California, the food never disappoints. Especially when it is paired with a great glass of wine. Petaluma offers a variety of dining options in every price point and for every cuisine.
If you love bruschetta this is the place for you! Sugo offers a bruschetta trio with multiple unique options. I highly recommend the Toasted Salami and Pesto.
A wall of finely placed liquor bottled is what makes Whisper Sisters the perfect happy hour or dinner spot. This was the first place we tried in Petaluma and found their menu to be full of amazing options. We ended up splitting everything we ordered because it is impossible to choose just one thing. The cocktail list here is what is truly unique.
We quickly became regulars here as it was our go-to every morning during our stay in Petaluma. We loved the easy walk from our hotel to The Bagel Mill. This is the perfect place for a simple breakfast and a cup of coffee before you begin your day in Petaluma or go off and explore the wine country.
Other great dining options:
Where to drink…
Would it be a girls’ trip if we didn’t hit up some local bars, wineries, and breweries?
Full local bar scene for drinks and comedy shows.
Hideaway
This is where we ended my birthday night, dancing away to a great mix of modern and 90s music.
This is actually a Peruvian restaurant we stumbled upon as we waited for our table at Sugo. The bar atmosphere here is very lively and the service was amazing. All the bartenders were top notch, and we wish we had more time here. I highly recommend the Petaluma cocktail.
Laid back outdoor beer garden, also providing BBQ style bites.
What to do…
Shopping
From antique shops to boutique clothing stores, Petaluma can keep you entertained walking around its streets filled with shopping. Our whole group treated themselves to some great finds.
Wine Tasting
It wouldn’t be a northern California trip without wine tasting. Petaluma is just a 30 minute drive to the Sonoma Wine Region and 50 minutes to Napa Valley. But if you prefer staying local, Petaluma has some tasting rooms and wine bars sure to fit your needs, like:
Point Reyes National Seashore
Located about 30 minutes west of Petaluma is Point Reyes National Seashore. This is a vast area of protected California coast line that is home to a few beaches and a historic lighthouse that is known for whale watching. While we had just missed the whales migrating south, we did get to see the historic lighthouse and take in the breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.
Here’s to hoping you add Petaluma to your California bucket list.
I promise you won’t be disappointed!
