Guidebook for Petaluma

Stephen & Karen
Stephen & Karen
Guidebook for Petaluma

Food Scene

This is one of our favorite Petaluma restaurants. Stephanie & her staff create delicious dishes for breakfast & lunch. On a nice day, sit outside by the river. It's a bit of Paris in NorCal!
23 locals recommend
Water Street Bistro
100 Petaluma Blvd N
23 locals recommend
This is one of our favorite Petaluma restaurants. Stephanie & her staff create delicious dishes for breakfast & lunch. On a nice day, sit outside by the river. It's a bit of Paris in NorCal!
Another of our favorite Petaluma restaurants. The best bread in NorCal & their breakfasts & lunches are wonderul. Kathleen & Edmund bake their bread at their ranch. Ask about their ranch dinners.
65 locals recommend
Della Fattoria Downtown Café
143 Petaluma Blvd N
65 locals recommend
Another of our favorite Petaluma restaurants. The best bread in NorCal & their breakfasts & lunches are wonderul. Kathleen & Edmund bake their bread at their ranch. Ask about their ranch dinners.
The Tea Room is the closest cafe to our Oak Terrace Guest House, just a few blocks, and is a great place to get breakfast or lunch.
33 locals recommend
Tea Room Cafe
316 Western Ave
33 locals recommend
The Tea Room is the closest cafe to our Oak Terrace Guest House, just a few blocks, and is a great place to get breakfast or lunch.
The best selection of local cheeses. And you've got to check out their delicious ice cream! Just a block from the Oak Terrace Guest House.
Petaluma Creamery - Corporate Office
621 Western Ave
The best selection of local cheeses. And you've got to check out their delicious ice cream! Just a block from the Oak Terrace Guest House.
The Aqus Cafe has become the unofficial community center of Petaluma. A great place to get some coffee, breakfast or a pint & a panini in the evening. The Aqus has live music. Check their calendar.
32 locals recommend
Aqus Cafe
189 H St
32 locals recommend
The Aqus Cafe has become the unofficial community center of Petaluma. A great place to get some coffee, breakfast or a pint & a panini in the evening. The Aqus has live music. Check their calendar.
Acre is the best coffee shop in NorCal. A great place to get a handcrafted coffee drink, people watch, and check your email with their free wi-fi.
58 locals recommend
Acre Coffee
21 4th St
58 locals recommend
Acre is the best coffee shop in NorCal. A great place to get a handcrafted coffee drink, people watch, and check your email with their free wi-fi.
Fine Wine Country dining. One of 3 Michelin rated restaurants in Petaluma. You'll have a memorable meal, I guarantee it.
65 locals recommend
Central Market
42 Petaluma Blvd N
65 locals recommend
Fine Wine Country dining. One of 3 Michelin rated restaurants in Petaluma. You'll have a memorable meal, I guarantee it.
Make sure to get a reservation as Le Bistro is a small restaurant. Maybe 12 tables? A wonderful meal! This is where Karen & I celebrate our special occasions. Check out their Yelp reviews!
Le Bistro
312 Petaluma Boulevard South
Make sure to get a reservation as Le Bistro is a small restaurant. Maybe 12 tables? A wonderful meal! This is where Karen & I celebrate our special occasions. Check out their Yelp reviews!
Dempsey's is a great microbrewerey & restaurant. Peter has been brewing the beer for 20+ years while Bernadette has managed the kitchen. Dine outside on a nice day with a pint of Red Rooster ale.
15 locals recommend
Dempsey's Restaurant & Brewery
50 E Washington St
15 locals recommend
Dempsey's is a great microbrewerey & restaurant. Peter has been brewing the beer for 20+ years while Bernadette has managed the kitchen. Dine outside on a nice day with a pint of Red Rooster ale.
We've been to Mexico a few times. We fell in love with tacos al pastor. They're hard to find in NorCal. Lolita's does them up right. Combination supermercado/ restaurant. A local favorite.
Lolita's Market
451 Lakeville St
We've been to Mexico a few times. We fell in love with tacos al pastor. They're hard to find in NorCal. Lolita's does them up right. Combination supermercado/ restaurant. A local favorite.
According to my large circle of salsa enthusiasts La Azteca has the best salsa in town.
La Azteca
1420 S McDowell Blvd
According to my large circle of salsa enthusiasts La Azteca has the best salsa in town.
Great little restaurant that serves delicious pizzas, and vegetarian & gluten-free dishes. You should make a reservation.
45 locals recommend
Wild Goat Bistro
6 Petaluma Blvd N
45 locals recommend
Great little restaurant that serves delicious pizzas, and vegetarian & gluten-free dishes. You should make a reservation.
A good little family run Mexican restaurant on Kentucky Street.
15 locals recommend
Mi Pueblo El Centro
108 Kentucky St
15 locals recommend
A good little family run Mexican restaurant on Kentucky Street.
Great upscale riverfront bar & restaurant. Music on Friday & Saturday nights.
11 locals recommend
Graffiti
101 2nd Street
11 locals recommend
Great upscale riverfront bar & restaurant. Music on Friday & Saturday nights.
A great bakery with fresh bread, pastries & coffee.
7 locals recommend
Bovine Bakery
23 Kentucky St
7 locals recommend
A great bakery with fresh bread, pastries & coffee.
Another great place to eat in Petaluma. Really interesting dishes & wraps. Healthy!
11 locals recommend
Cafe Zazzle
121 Kentucky St
11 locals recommend
Another great place to eat in Petaluma. Really interesting dishes & wraps. Healthy!
Historic prohibition era speakeasy & Italian family-style restaurant. On Friday nights there's accordian music in the back room. Check it out!
13 locals recommend
Volpi's | Ristorante & Bar
124 Washington St
13 locals recommend
Historic prohibition era speakeasy & Italian family-style restaurant. On Friday nights there's accordian music in the back room. Check it out!
If you venture out to the Point Reyes National Seashore, and you should if time permits, plan on ending your day at The Station House Cafe. Our favorite NorCal coast restaurant.
40 locals recommend
Station House Cafe
11285 CA-1
40 locals recommend
If you venture out to the Point Reyes National Seashore, and you should if time permits, plan on ending your day at The Station House Cafe. Our favorite NorCal coast restaurant.
After you visit the little towns of Bodega & Bodega Bay, where Alfred Hitchcock filmed "The Birds", enjoy some fresh seafood overlooking Bodega Bay.
31 locals recommend
The Tides Wharf & Restaurant
835 Bay Hwy
31 locals recommend
After you visit the little towns of Bodega & Bodega Bay, where Alfred Hitchcock filmed "The Birds", enjoy some fresh seafood overlooking Bodega Bay.
Really good small bakery. We stop here on our way back from our walk on Dillon Beach. I love their pesto twists & home-made danish. Good coffee. Yum..
22 locals recommend
Tomales Bakery
27000 CA-1
22 locals recommend
Really good small bakery. We stop here on our way back from our walk on Dillon Beach. I love their pesto twists & home-made danish. Good coffee. Yum..
Fresh seafood with spectacular views of Tomales Bay & Point Reyes.
103 locals recommend
Nick's Cove
23240 CA-1
103 locals recommend
Fresh seafood with spectacular views of Tomales Bay & Point Reyes.
If you visit Bolinas get a bite at The Coast Cafe. Our old friend David Cook is the chef. Ask about the catch of the day. You won't be sorry!
38 locals recommend
Coast Cafe
46 Wharf Rd
38 locals recommend
If you visit Bolinas get a bite at The Coast Cafe. Our old friend David Cook is the chef. Ask about the catch of the day. You won't be sorry!
A nice little Tapas/ Small plate restaurant with good food & drinks. Outside dining on Helen Putnam Plaza.
50 locals recommend
Speakeasy
504 Alameda del Prado
50 locals recommend
A nice little Tapas/ Small plate restaurant with good food & drinks. Outside dining on Helen Putnam Plaza.
Yummy Chicago deep dish style pizza. You should like cheese. And plan on taking a hike to burn off the calories.
14 locals recommend
Old Chicago Pizza Restaurant
41 Petaluma Boulevard North
14 locals recommend
Yummy Chicago deep dish style pizza. You should like cheese. And plan on taking a hike to burn off the calories.
They roast their own imported beans. Great place to sit & sip. Located in a cool neighborhood, have some coffee then explore.
7 locals recommend
Petaluma Coffee & Tea Co.
212 2nd St
7 locals recommend
They roast their own imported beans. Great place to sit & sip. Located in a cool neighborhood, have some coffee then explore.
Good Thai food. Eat there in one of the big old homey Victorian rooms or take out.
Thai Cuisine
610 Petaluma Blvd N
Good Thai food. Eat there in one of the big old homey Victorian rooms or take out.
Probably the best Italian food north of North Beach in San Francisco. Great local & Italian wines. Ask the staff about pairing the best wine with your meal.
51 locals recommend
Cucina Paradiso
114 Petaluma Blvd N
51 locals recommend
Probably the best Italian food north of North Beach in San Francisco. Great local & Italian wines. Ask the staff about pairing the best wine with your meal.
Good family-style Mexican restaurant in the heart of downtown.
Velasco's North of the Border
190 Kentucky St
Good family-style Mexican restaurant in the heart of downtown.
A local favorite for breakfast or brunch. You might have to wait in line.
20 locals recommend
Hallie's
125 Keller St
20 locals recommend
A local favorite for breakfast or brunch. You might have to wait in line.
Really good pizza. In Petaluma's Theatre District. Browse the area, check out the river, and then eat!
10 locals recommend
Rosso Pizzeria & Mozzarella Bar
151 Petaluma Boulevard South
10 locals recommend
Really good pizza. In Petaluma's Theatre District. Browse the area, check out the river, and then eat!
Riverside cafe overlooking the turning basin. Good breakfasts & lunches. If the weather's nice sit outside on the deck.
Apple Box
224 B St
Riverside cafe overlooking the turning basin. Good breakfasts & lunches. If the weather's nice sit outside on the deck.
For us caffeine addicts, the closest Starbucks to the Guest House.
Starbucks
125 Petaluma Blvd N
For us caffeine addicts, the closest Starbucks to the Guest House.
Really good fresh pies. Sweet or savory. Eat there or bring it home. They even deliver! Breakfast pies! Mmmmm....
Petaluma Seed Bank
125 Petaluma Blvd N
Really good fresh pies. Sweet or savory. Eat there or bring it home. They even deliver! Breakfast pies! Mmmmm....
World-class hot dogs! And fries! Chicago style. Really! Read their Yelp reviews. For a real Norcal experience, go on a Monday when they have the livestock auction out back. Another P-Town gem..
Roy's Chicago Doggery & Italian Beef
84 Corona Rd
World-class hot dogs! And fries! Chicago style. Really! Read their Yelp reviews. For a real Norcal experience, go on a Monday when they have the livestock auction out back. Another P-Town gem..

Drinks & Nightlife

Ray's is our funky neighborhood bar & deli. A great place to grab a pint & a fresh home made soup & sandwich. The open mics on Wednesday evenings, 6-9pm, are a hoot! Check'em out.
18 locals recommend
RAY'S DELICATESSEN & TAVERN
900 Western Ave
18 locals recommend
Ray's is our funky neighborhood bar & deli. A great place to grab a pint & a fresh home made soup & sandwich. The open mics on Wednesday evenings, 6-9pm, are a hoot! Check'em out.
You can sample something like 100 specialty beers, many locally brewed, at Taps. Then zigzag back through the neighborhood to the Oak Terrace Guest House! They also serve good beer bar food.
21 locals recommend
Taps
54 E Washington St
21 locals recommend
You can sample something like 100 specialty beers, many locally brewed, at Taps. Then zigzag back through the neighborhood to the Oak Terrace Guest House! They also serve good beer bar food.
One of the several great wine bars in Petaluma. Taste world-class local wines and walk home to The Oak Terrace Guest House.
15 locals recommend
La Dolce Vita Wine Lounge
151 Petaluma Blvd S
15 locals recommend
One of the several great wine bars in Petaluma. Taste world-class local wines and walk home to The Oak Terrace Guest House.
One of the several great wine bars in Petaluma. Taste world-class local wines and walk home to The Oak Terrace Guest House.
Vine & Barrel Wines & Wine, Draft, and Tapas Bar
122A Kentucky St
One of the several great wine bars in Petaluma. Taste world-class local wines and walk home to The Oak Terrace Guest House.
Lagunitas is one of the most popular craft breweries in the country. It's worth a visit. Take a tour & enjoy some great beer & live music Wed-Sun in the afternoon. Just tours on Mon & Tues.
140 locals recommend
Lagunitas Brewing Company
1280 N McDowell Blvd
140 locals recommend
Lagunitas is one of the most popular craft breweries in the country. It's worth a visit. Take a tour & enjoy some great beer & live music Wed-Sun in the afternoon. Just tours on Mon & Tues.

Shopping

Need a NorCal guidebook, a specialty magazine, or a best seller? Copperfield's Books is NorCal's best local independent bookseller.
32 locals recommend
Copperfield's Books
138 N Main St
32 locals recommend
Need a NorCal guidebook, a specialty magazine, or a best seller? Copperfield's Books is NorCal's best local independent bookseller.
My old friend Charles Cowles has the best music store in the Western Hemisphere. They have the best selection of Gibson, Fender, and Martin guitars on the West Coast.
Tall Toad Music
43 Petaluma Blvd N
My old friend Charles Cowles has the best music store in the Western Hemisphere. They have the best selection of Gibson, Fender, and Martin guitars on the West Coast.
Our great local 2nd-hand store run by the wonderful Hospice of Petaluma.
Sacks Hospice Thrift Store
128 Liberty St
Our great local 2nd-hand store run by the wonderful Hospice of Petaluma.
Our other great local 2nd-hand store. All proceeds go to our local schools.
Alphabet Soup Thrift Stores
203 Western Ave
Our other great local 2nd-hand store. All proceeds go to our local schools.
Shunzi's boutique has been voted one of the best boutiques in the Bay Area. Our local fashion designer.
Shunzi - Petaluma
141 Kentucky St
Shunzi's boutique has been voted one of the best boutiques in the Bay Area. Our local fashion designer.
I always thought that the Seed Bank must be some kind of money laundering scheme but apparently they're legit. The place to go for those hard to find seeds & gardening books. Also a great browse.
9 locals recommend
Seed Bank
110 Petaluma Blvd N
9 locals recommend
I always thought that the Seed Bank must be some kind of money laundering scheme but apparently they're legit. The place to go for those hard to find seeds & gardening books. Also a great browse.
Cool 2nd hand store with vintage/ retro clothing, furniture & books. Also great collection of vinyl records for sale. Another great Petaluma browse.
Thrifty Hippy Thrift Store
218 Petaluma Blvd N
Cool 2nd hand store with vintage/ retro clothing, furniture & books. Also great collection of vinyl records for sale. Another great Petaluma browse.
Need some hardware? Rex is our great local hardware store. Lots of interesting housewares & knick-knacks also. Worth a visit if you're walking around downtown.
Rex Ace Hardware
313 B St
Need some hardware? Rex is our great local hardware store. Lots of interesting housewares & knick-knacks also. Worth a visit if you're walking around downtown.
Another one of Petaluma's many cool consignment stores.
Red Umbrella Consignment Inc
120 Kentucky St
Another one of Petaluma's many cool consignment stores.

Arts & Culture

The Mystic Theatre hosts some of the best live music in NorCal. Touring and local acts. Check their website for the calendar
56 locals recommend
Mystic Theatre
23 Petaluma Blvd N
56 locals recommend
The Mystic Theatre hosts some of the best live music in NorCal. Touring and local acts. Check their website for the calendar
Our multiplex.
19 locals recommend
Boulevard Cinemas
200 C St
19 locals recommend
Our multiplex.

Sightseeing

The best local hike with a spectacular view of the Petaluma valley. About 5 minutes by car from the Oak Terrace Guest House.
59 locals recommend
Helen Putnam Regional Park
411 Chileno Valley Rd
59 locals recommend
The best local hike with a spectacular view of the Petaluma valley. About 5 minutes by car from the Oak Terrace Guest House.
Our magnificent NorCal coast. The drive out to Point Reyes is spectacular and then when you get there it just gets better.
273 locals recommend
Point Reyes National Seashore
273 locals recommend
Our magnificent NorCal coast. The drive out to Point Reyes is spectacular and then when you get there it just gets better.
A pleasant walk in the Petaluma River wetlands and wild bird sanctuary. It takes about 45 minutes to walk around the pond. You may see some exotic migrating birds depending on the season.
23 locals recommend
Shollenberger Park
1400 Cader Lane
23 locals recommend
A pleasant walk in the Petaluma River wetlands and wild bird sanctuary. It takes about 45 minutes to walk around the pond. You may see some exotic migrating birds depending on the season.
Great views of our lovely valley and the Bay Area.
Sonoma Mountain Road
Sonoma Mountain Road
Great views of our lovely valley and the Bay Area.
Some great hikes. This is an old Miwok Indian village dating back to 6000 BC! More recently this is where The Grateful Dead lived for a while in the late 60's. Ghosts of Neal Cassady & Pigpen..
12 locals recommend
Olompali State Historic Park
8901 Redwood Blvd
12 locals recommend
Some great hikes. This is an old Miwok Indian village dating back to 6000 BC! More recently this is where The Grateful Dead lived for a while in the late 60's. Ghosts of Neal Cassady & Pigpen..
The "other" ferry to SF. A nice drive along San Pablo Bay to the Vallejo Ferry Terminal. The ferry ride is about an hour & scenic. The SF Bay from another perspective.
69 locals recommend
Vallejo Ferry station
289 Mare Island Way
69 locals recommend
The "other" ferry to SF. A nice drive along San Pablo Bay to the Vallejo Ferry Terminal. The ferry ride is about an hour & scenic. The SF Bay from another perspective.
The best way to get to SF! It drops you off at the Embarcadero Center at the foot of Market Street where you can get buses or streetcars to most anywhere in The City. Take BART to Oakland or Berkeley.
32 locals recommend
Golden Gate Ferry Larkspur Terminal
101 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
32 locals recommend
The best way to get to SF! It drops you off at the Embarcadero Center at the foot of Market Street where you can get buses or streetcars to most anywhere in The City. Take BART to Oakland or Berkeley.
This is the best place to see whales when they're migrating. Also great views of our NorCal coast.
72 locals recommend
Bodega Head
72 locals recommend
This is the best place to see whales when they're migrating. Also great views of our NorCal coast.
This is where Alfred Hitchcock filmed some of his classic film "The Birds".
60 locals recommend
Bodega
60 locals recommend
This is where Alfred Hitchcock filmed some of his classic film "The Birds".
The closest beach to The Oak Terrace Guest House. A scenic drive through Sonoma/ Marin counties and the charming small town of Tomales.
61 locals recommend
Dillon Beach
61 locals recommend
The closest beach to The Oak Terrace Guest House. A scenic drive through Sonoma/ Marin counties and the charming small town of Tomales.
The drive to Mt. Tam, either from Hwy 1 from the North or through Mill Valley from the South is incredible. The view from the summit is breathtaking.
91 locals recommend
Mount Tamalpais State Park
3801 Panoramic Highway
91 locals recommend
The drive to Mt. Tam, either from Hwy 1 from the North or through Mill Valley from the South is incredible. The view from the summit is breathtaking.
We call it "the little town that time forgot". Settled by some hippies in the 60's, Bolinas hasn't changed much except for the price of a home. A great beach for surfing when there's a south swell.
53 locals recommend
Bolinas
53 locals recommend
We call it "the little town that time forgot". Settled by some hippies in the 60's, Bolinas hasn't changed much except for the price of a home. A great beach for surfing when there's a south swell.
A great beach for swimming & sunbathing when there's no sharks or fog. A great drive nonetheless.
363 locals recommend
Stinson Beach
363 locals recommend
A great beach for swimming & sunbathing when there's no sharks or fog. A great drive nonetheless.
A great hike up & down a steep narrow valley lined with trees filled with Egret's nests.
6 locals recommend
Audubon Canyon Ranch station
6 locals recommend
A great hike up & down a steep narrow valley lined with trees filled with Egret's nests.
A nice park on a hill with old oak trees. Hence the name. Just a short pleasant stroll from the Guest House.
Oak Hill Park
A nice park on a hill with old oak trees. Hence the name. Just a short pleasant stroll from the Guest House.

Essentials

Petaluma Market is our local version of Whole Foods. Good local veggies, fruit, meat, cheese, wines, a deli. Everything you need for your stay at the Oak Terrace Guest House.
43 locals recommend
Petaluma Creamery
210 Western Ave
43 locals recommend
Petaluma Market is our local version of Whole Foods. Good local veggies, fruit, meat, cheese, wines, a deli. Everything you need for your stay at the Oak Terrace Guest House.
Petaluma's Whole Foods Market. You know what that's all about. Good food, bring your checkbook..
185 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
731 E Blithedale Ave
185 locals recommend
Petaluma's Whole Foods Market. You know what that's all about. Good food, bring your checkbook..
Grocery Outlet has a very knowledgeable wine buyer. A great place to find some really good wine at discount prices. Also very reasonably priced groceries if you need to stock up for your stay.
Grocery Outlet Bargain Market
80 E Washington St
Grocery Outlet has a very knowledgeable wine buyer. A great place to find some really good wine at discount prices. Also very reasonably priced groceries if you need to stock up for your stay.

Everything Else

This is an interesting and quirky store. A combination old style military surplus store and military museum. A great browse.
The Petaluma Collective Militaria Mall
300 Petaluma Blvd N
This is an interesting and quirky store. A combination old style military surplus store and military museum. A great browse.