If you’ve never heard of Petaluma or have only come across its name on menus — the charming town is known for its exceptional chickens — allow us to fill you in. Located 40 minutes north of San Francisco on Highway 101, Petaluma is quickly becoming wine country’s hottest new region — in fact, the Petaluma Gap is set to become Sonoma County’s newest AVA (American Viticultural Area).
While it’s not as well known as nearby Sonoma or Healdsburg, a historic downtown with destination breweries, antique shopping and ample restaurants make it a place worth visiting. Here are our top tips for exploring Petaluma.
Dine
The best place for breakfast is Della Fattoria. Housed in a 150-year-old building, this delightful bakery and café churns out crisp, chewy baguettes and salty rosemary Meyer lemon boules. When baker Kathleen Weber started making loaves 21 years ago, Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star The French Laundry was among her first clients.