Just 1 Hour From San Francisco, Petaluma Is The Perfect Northern California Day Trip Destination
By Lisa Sammons|Published March 28, 2022
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Lisa Sammons
Author
Lisa loves animals and has dogs, rats, cats, guinea pigs, and snakes. She is passionate about animal rescue and live music - traveling across the country to see a favorite band is a pretty regular occurrence! Being out hiking in the woods enjoying the scenery with her beloved dogs is another favorite hobby, and also checking out the Pokemon Go scene in whatever city she happens to be in at any given time (coffee and dog leash in hand). You can reach Lisa at lsammons@onlyinyourstate.com
In a place as big as Northern California, it’s easy for some great places to fall through the cracks. After all, we’ve got nationally-renowned destinations like San Francisco and Yosemite National Park, so it can be tough for other places to get much attention, even if they are fantastic getaways. Next time you’re looking for a day trip in Northern California, skip the obvious spots and head to Petaluma. Conveniently located about an hour outside of San Francisco, it’s got a population of around 60,000, so it’s big enough to have plenty of amenities, but not so large as to be a sprawling tourist destination. Check out some of the great places to see in this town:
The Petaluma Collective Militaria Mall: 300 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma, CA 94952
The Petaluma Collective Antique and Militaria Mall, 300 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma, CA 94952, USA
This place is so neat! It's a huge antiques shop with all kinds of military memorabilia dating back to the Civil War. In addition to the 6,000-square foot retail space, there's also a military museum down in the basement. Check out the museum's website to see some of their fascinating artifacts.
Lagunitas Brewing Company: 1280 N McDowell Blvd, Petaluma, CA 94954
Lagunitas Brewing Company, 1280 N McDowell Blvd, Petaluma, CA 94954, USA
We may be best-known for our wineries in Northern California, but there are some great breweries here as well! You'll definitely want to check out Lagunitas Brewing Company. This dog-friendly brewery has a tap room and regularly hosts live music. Check out the brewery's website for a calendar of events.
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Petaluma Historical Library and Museum: 20 4th St, Petaluma, CA 94952
Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 20 4th St, Petaluma, CA 94952, USA
Fans of Northern California history will not want to miss the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum. This place has so much information about regional history, with exhibits dating back to the 1850s. Visit the library's website to see some current exhibits.
In addition to beer and wine, some great cheese is produced in NorCal. Marin French Cheese Co. is the oldest continuously operating cheese manufacturer in the country. Here, you'll find delicious artisanal cheeses of all kinds of varieties. Visit the Marin French Cheese Co. website to learn more.
Helen Putnam Regional Park: 411 Chileno Valley Rd, Petaluma, CA 94952
Helen Putnam Regional Park, 411 Chileno Valley Rd, Petaluma, CA 94952, USA
Want to get outside and explore? Helen Putnam Regional Park is a great option. This lovely 216-acre park boasts six miles of trails, so there's plenty to see (and the views are incredible).
Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park: 3325 Adobe Rd, Petaluma, CA 94954
Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park, 3325 Adobe Rd, Petaluma, CA 94954, USA
Visiting Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park is like taking a step back in time. This place has a fascinating history and has got plenty of preserved buildings waiting to be explored.
Have you taken any day trips to Petaluma? Share your experiences in the comments!
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