Petaluma River Marina
Located just 32 miles north of San Francisco or 55 miles from Sacramento, discover Petaluma, while driving through Sonoma County’s wineries or the Hwy-101 coastline. Petaluma is near Point Reyes National Seashore, just follow the Petaluma River into the heart of the cities Historic Downtown on the river’s west bank to see Petaluma’s authentic Victorian charm made famous by Hollywood. It is a scenic place to layover for a day or an afternoon to enjoy walking and dining by the river.
Highway 101 is the main freeway through town, State Route 116 also runs through town as Lakeville Highway. The best place to park a big-rig is behind the Petaluma Visitor Center. They are very friendly there and offer free maps for the self-guided walking tours. The Visitor Center is located in the Historic Depot Building at the Northeast corner of E. Washington Street and Lakeville Street. From there just walk up the street into downtown.
Tours of Petaluma:
Victorian Mansions Tour
Take a self-guided walking tour or a 23 mile drive through Petaluma’s neighborhoods for Petaluma’s most popular tour. Visitors stroll through stately Victorian mansions with a variety of architectural styles from 1860 to 1925, in a six-block area. As one of the few cities in Northern California spared the ravages of the 1906 earthquake, Petaluma is a rare example of what the citizens saw at the turn of the century.
Magnolia Tree
Walking Tour of the Trees
If you appreciate the natural beauty of a lovely tree, be sure to take the self-guided Walking Tour of the Trees. You’ll see more than fifty species of spectacular trees, including Cedar, Dutch Elm, Date Palm, English Yew, Locust, Maple, and a large variety of oak species. Many of these trees are considered exceptional specimens and Heritage Trees, which are registered with the city of Petaluma and receive special protection.
Hollywood Tour
Ever since the early days of commercial and feature films, producers have loved to capture Petaluma’s charm and style on film. Tour the homes and sights in 1973 the blockbuster American film classic “American Graffiti” that was filmed on Petaluma’s Historic Downtown streets. Other popular films including “Basic Instinct” and “Peggy Sue Got Married” were also shot in Petaluma among the historic buildings and immaculate Victorian mansions. Also filmed in the area were “Phenomenon”, starring John Travolta, “The Horse Whisperer” with Robert Redford, and a remake of “Lolita” with Jeremy Irons, as well as Clint Eastwood’s “True Crime.”
Or visit Petaluma from Sacramento and tour wine country along CA-12
Domaine Carneros Winery is set dramatically atop a hill in Napa Valley, California, drawing your attention if you are driving on the road below. The huge and majestic structure inspired by the historic Chateau de la Marquetterie in Champagne, France is hard to miss. Domaine Carneros is one of the few wineries where you can relax and enjoy table service either in the salon or on the terrace overlooking endless vine covered hills.
Artesa Winery is set into the highest hill of its 350-acre estate, with a protective covering of reserved earth and native grasses. An expansive terrace offers 360 degree vistas of the surrounding countryside, and on clear days, a view of the San Francisco skyline.
Of course, there is no drinking and driving but it is still fun to see the sights and explore California as long as you are living your life on the road.
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