Petaluma, CA: A Charming Sonoma County Town with History & Wine Country Vibes

Shollenberger Park is a wetland area with 165 acres of land for visitors to enjoy. It is part of the Petaluma Wetlands area that also encompasses the 80 acres of Alman Marsh and the 260 acres of Ellis Creek. Together, the Petaluma Wetlands cover 505 acres of land with public access. Shollenberger Park, in particular, is named after a park chief, Richard Shollenberger. This park is unique as it is among the last wetlands of this type within the United States. It is particularly attractive for those who like to go birding as it has 225 different species of birds, including many that are threatened. You can also find various rare plant and animal species, including the salt marsh harvest mouse, which is endangered. Each year, 150,000 visitors come to appreciate the beauty of the park and/or birdwatch. You can go on a wildlife or bird tour led by the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance.

1400 Cader Ln, Petaluma, CA

Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue began as a non-profit in 1981 by a group concerned about wildlife welfare in the county. This is when they created their Education Outreach Program and started participating in local events. They have more than 30 enclosures dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation plus 8 dedicated to wildlife exhibits. The organization rescues wildlife, rehabilitates over 1,500 animals annually, and releases about 70% of their patients back into the wild. The main focuses are animal care, education, exclusion, and expansion. The rescue also has a strong focus on education, gladly hosting students, scouts, and birthday parties. They also give presentations and tours to those of all ages, including a range of subjects. You can also volunteer at Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue in your free time, with opportunities available for those who are at least 13 years old. There are also internships available for those who want regular hands-on experience.

403 Mecham Rd, Petaluma, CA, Phone: 707-992-0274

The Petaluma Arts Center aims to build community through art and began in 1998 as a grassroots effort in the form of the Petaluma Arts Council. The Petaluma Arts Center opened in 2008 in its 4,500-square-foot facility in the historic Railroad Depot Freight Building. Learn about the current exhibit via the art center’s website. The Petaluma Arts Center also runs Art Around Town, where they display artwork at various local locations, like the Petaluma Valley Hospital. The Petaluma Arts Center has an admission fee. You can also become a member and get in for free. View the art or attend an event like fundraisers, Idea Lounges, and more. There are also regular classes and workshops, such as Mud Buddies, Look Club, and Focus on Color.

230 Lakeville St, Petaluma, CA, Phone: 707-762-5600

Achadinha Cheese Company is family-operated and is a ranch that began three generations ago and has been in Petaluma since 1969. This is when they started raising goats and cows to make farmstead cheeses. There are about 60 cows and 250 goats, with most cheeses including a blend of milks. The animals pasture on 230 acres of land and eat yeast and brewers’ grain from local breweries plus whey, oat, and alfalfa for a balanced diet. There are no pesticides or hormones. Additionally, the farm follows the animals’ natural cycles, only making straight goat cheese when the goats are not pregnant. The ranch also has chickens, pigs, sheep, beef cows, horses, cats, dogs, and ducks. You can take a tour of the farm and Achadinha Cheese Company, but by appointment only. You can even sign up for a cheesemaking class. Those who want to try the cheese can find it at dozens of local farmer’s markets or order it online to be delivered right to your house.

750 Chileno Valley Rd, Petaluma, CA, Phone: 707-763-1025

Sonoma Portworks is not only a winery specializing in ports as well as after-dinner wines, but the only of its kind in Sonoma County and one of just a few in the whole state. They strive to discover the possibilities of port, including unique flavors. Sonoma Portworks uses sustainable petit Verdot and petite sirah grapes hand-harvested in Clarksburg at Heringer Family Vineyards. They move the bins of grapes with a hand-powered pallet jack and make the port with five-gallon buckets, before pressing the grapes by foot and aging them with recycled barrels. Sonoma Portworks has been creating fortified wines and ports for over 20 years. When you visit Sonoma Portworks, they will share food pairing discoveries, such as the perfect dessert, chocolate, or cheese to go with their various beverages. Enjoy a port, fortified wine, grappa, or sonomic with an exclusive recipe. Visit the tasting room in the Old Faundry Wharf building by the Petaluma River.

613 2nd Street, Petaluma, CA, Phone: 707-769-5203

On a mission to inspire the next generation of conservationist and wildlife enthusiasts, the Petaluma Wildlife and Natural Science Museum is the largest student-run museum in the US. The museum started off as a small collection in a teacher’s back room and has now become a 9000 square foot museum celebrating wildlife from all corners of the globe. In addition to a huge collection of taxidermy animals, the museum is also home to a collection of live animals including mammals, reptiles and more. The museum is divided into several areas, each of which represents a specific wildlife habitat. Visitors can go on guided student-led tours.

Petaluma Wildlife and Natural Science Museum, 201 Fair St, Petaluma, CA 94952, 707 778 4787

McEvoy Ranch sits on a 550-acre sprawling ranch that Founder Nan McEvoy bought in 1990. She had a love of Tuscan olive oil and worked with experts to figure out which olives would do best on the land. Now, the ranch is known for its certified organic, extra virgin olive oil. It also produces an ODE Natural Beauty Collection that is certified by Leaping Bunny and infused with botanicals and 100-percent organic olive oil. They also offer handcrafted limited-edition wines. The ranch only plants 15 percent of their land at a time to help preserve the land. There is plenty to do at the ranch, including getting in a nice walk in an idyllic setting. You can also enjoy a Table Tasting or Wine Bar Tasting while there. Walkabout Ranch Tours are popular, letting you explore gardens, vineyards, orchards, and the olive mill. There are also various workshops and events throughout the year.

5935 Red Hill Rd, Petaluma, CA, Phone: 707-778-2307

Petaluma Creamery is an attraction as well as a historic landmark, with dairy farmers establishing the creamery in 1913. The Landmark Creamery is currently owned by Larry Peter, who took a big risk by buying the business. The main goals of the Creamery are supporting local dairy production and the farming industry, increasing the local economic growth to those in the area, and producing delicious products that are one of a kind. The Creamery’s cows are Jersey cows which are smaller with lower milk volumes with higher butterfat and protein than Holstein cows. The grazing of the cows is managed and the farm is organic. The cows are grass fed with no growth hormones. Visit the Creamery Store to buy one of dozens of cheeses made by the creamery, Petaluma Gold cheese, local Spring Hill Jersey Cheese, or Spring Hill Jersey Butter. There is also a kitchen with ice cream, coffee, BBQ, sandwiches, breakfasts, and salads.

711 Western Ave., Petaluma, CA, Phone: 707-762-3446

Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park is the biggest adobe building that was privately owned in Northern California during the 1830s to 1840s. In addition to the historic adobe building, the area also has plenty of natural history thanks to the presence of Adobe Creek. This creek was a key part of the ranch’s success and flows throughout the park, attracting fish, trees, birds, and other wildlife. You can also check their schedule for special events like Fandango, sheep shearing day, and living history day. There is even an Environmental Living Program where students and teachers can stay the night to experience the traditional activities of the site in the past.

3325 Adobe Road, Petaluma, CA, Phone: 707-762-4871

Central Market is a restaurant serving farm-to-table cuisine and sitting in the 1918 Maclay building in downtown Petaluma. The restaurant serves rustic California-Mediterranean cuisine and combines traditional American dishes with the sensibility of wine country. Everything is made from scratch in house, including bread from the wood-fired oven. The restaurant has its own dedicated farm, Muleheart Farm, which is organic. There are heirloom breeds of pigs, laying hens, ducks, fall Bourbon Red turkeys, plenty of seasonal vegetables, and fruit from an orchard. The Chef, Tony Najiola, and has extensive experience in the restaurant industry. The menu features an extensive wine list, other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, oysters, small plates, pizza, pasta, wood-grilled meats, sautéed meat, salads, and a chef’s tasting menu. Save room for dessert like fruit pie or strawberry shortcake.

42 Petaluma Blvd, Petaluma, CA, Phone: 707-778-9900