Food & Wine Forays

Petaluma is the gateway to delicious experiences.

From the Field

Thanks to its central location and storied history as an egg epicenter (p. 11), Petaluma is surrounded by still-active agricultural lands and businesses, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore (and taste) the region’s bounty fresh from the source.

Follow the Sonoma County Farm Trail for a NorCal agritourism experience like no other. Ever wanted to feed a goat? Then head to Redwood Hill Farms in neighboring Sebastopol. This family-run, sustainable farm offers tours of the property, featuring its olive grove, flower field, goat feedings, and “kid cuddling” (aka cuddling baby goats—what’s not to love?). If you’ve always wanted to visit the lavender fields of Provence, you’re in luck. A quick trip north to Santa Rosa puts you at Bees N Blooms, a lavender farm that also grows and sells fresh-cut flowers, pollinator-friendly plants, and honey. And if you’re here during the summer, you can’t miss Dry Creek Peach, an organic boutique peach farm in Healdsburg located 45 minutes north of downtown Petaluma. Take home one (or several) of the 30 handpicked varieties grown here, along with peach jam, cobbler mix, bellini mix, and more. (Visit the farm stand from Memorial Day to Labor Day.)

From the Vine

To the north and east of Petaluma, world-class wine regions fan out in front of you. Each of them beckons you to savor their distinctive characteristics, from buttery chardonnay to full-bodied cabernet sauvignon. California wine country is calling.

Drive through pastoral rolling hillsides toward Sonoma Valley, and in about 20 minutes you’ll arrive at Cornerstone, a delightful collection of tasting rooms, eclectic shops, and art-inspired gardens. From there, it’s just five miles to the heart of Sonoma—a pedestrianfriendly plaza bordered by more than a dozen tasting rooms and home to the last mission built in California. Want a vineyard vista experience? The Sonoma Plaza visitors center will be happy to help you narrow down the options from Sonoma Valley’s 100-plus wineries.

If Napa Valley is on your list, Petaluma is an ideal starting point and is just a 45-minute drive away. The valley’s five towns—Calistoga, St. Helena, Yountville, Napa, and American Canyon—make up arguably the most famous wine region in North America. Explore the area to taste award-winning wines and still make it back to Petaluma in time for dinner and a nightcap. Win-win!

DID YOU KNOW?

Petaluma has its own unique wine-growing region. Turn to page 50 to learn more about the Petaluma Gap AVA