Downtown Petaluma Walking Tour Itinerary

Written By Alexis Reid

We LOVE our neighborhood in downtown Petaluma, so thought we’d share a few of our staff’s local favorites in the form of a walking tour itinerary.

If you ever find yourself hosting an event at Hall of the Above, with people coming in from out of town, please feel free to share this with them. You don’t have to wander far to encounter some of the best eating, shopping, and history our town has to offer.

This is by NO means comprehensive—there are way too many amazing spots in Petaluma to list in one place.
Nevertheless, here is a sample.

Photo: The Press Democrat

Start

Petaluma Visitors Center

  • Located in the historic train depot at 210 Lakeville St, here you can pick up a walking map and get an overview of the city’s history

  • The Petaluma Art Center is right next door—pop in if they are open. Don’t miss the sculptures from Burning Man outside the building

Stop 1

Petaluma Riverfront & Turning Basin

  • At the foot of Western Avenue, the Balshaw Bridge has views of the Petaluma River and historic water front buildings (and is a great spot for bird watching)

  • Walk through the Great Petaluma Mill for a taste of the past and Petaluma’s historical use of the river

Photo: AAA

Stop 2

Historic Downtown Architecture  

  • Stroll through Petaluma Boulevard & Western Avenue, known for well-preserved iron-front buildings from the late 1800s

  • Check out the Masonic Hall (1882) and American Trust Building (1926)

  • Walk by Hotel Petaluma, a restored 1920s hotel

  • Many of our historic landmarks have QR codes outside that you can scan for more info

Photo: Visit Petaluma

Stop 3

Off-beat shopping

  • Walk through Rex Hardware for a great housewares section, and HeeBee JeeBee for some fantastically quirky gifts

  • Locally owned Copperfield’s Books has a wonderful selection upstairs and an entire floor of used books downstairs

  • If thrifting or antiques are more your thing, check out Sacks Vintage, Summer Cottage Antiques, and Chelsea Antiques for unique finds.

  • Maude Rare Finds for Children sits in a sweet former boarding house and is filled with wonderful things you will not find anywhere else.

Photo: Sonoma County Tourism

Stop 4

Lunch! Options abound:

  • Della Fattoria — World famous for starting the artisan bread movement with farm-to-table fare.

  • Water Street Bistro — A taste of old Europe, everything made from scratch, the best quiche you’ve ever had.

  • Belfare — these chefs run a catering kitchen for events but there is a tiny restaurant in front where you can get a truly fantastic gourmet chicken sandwich. 

  • Aqus Cafe at Foundry Wharf — this low-key cafe offers sandwiches, soups & breakfast fare, plus a range of live music.

Photo: Sonoma County Tourism

Stop 5

Petaluma Historical Museum

  • Originally a Carnegie Free Library, this stunning stone building has exhibits of Petaluma’s local history and development. Open Thursday–Sunday 10am–4pm

  • Alternatively, the Military Antiques & Museum has one of the largest collections in the U.S.

Photo: Sonoma County Tourism

Stop 6

Barber Cellars and Barber Lee Spirits

  • Barber Cellars located inside the Cheese Shop in Hotel Petaluma has hand crafted, small batch premium local wines

  • Barber Lee Spirits located two doors down is a small craft distillery making whiskies, rum, absinthe, and apple brandy

Photo: Petaluma Downtown Association

Stop 7

Angela’s Ice Cream

  • Made from Straus organic milk, this homemade ice cream will have you buying a quart to take home after the cone!

Photo: Angela’s Ice Cream

End

Relax at Walnut Park or Helen Putnam Plaza

  • Unwind in the shade, people-watch, or enjoy the Farmers Market in Walnut Park Saturday afternoons from May-Nov

  • Catch free live jazz in Helen Putnam Plaza Sunday afternoons from April through September

Photo: City of Petaluma

Alexis Reid
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Unforgettable Events at Hall of the Above in downtown Petaluma