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Plan a Long, Romantic Weekend in Petaluma

What a perfect time to book a romantic getaway in Petaluma with Valentine’s Day on a Friday and Presidents Day the next Monday. Many Petaluma hotels have sweet deals for Valentine’s Day. There’s plenty to fill up a weekend with the historic downtown’s specialty boutiques, gourmet dining, wine tasting, and live entertainment.

Sheraton Hotel on water with sailboats in front, green hills behind.

Rest & Relaxation

Petaluma offers a wide range of accommodation options, catering to every traveler. With historic hotels in and near historic downtown, larger hotels further afield, but convenient to recreation in every direction, or simple, quiet, quirky hotels and motor lodges each with their own special personality. Petaluma even has an award-winning KOA to keep you closer to nature while still being close to the action.

A Night on the Town

When it comes to a night on the town, Petaluma has it all, and most of it within walking distance. From gourmet dining to nightlife, it’s all within a few historic blocks and along the river.

Chef's hand delicately adding sauce to gourmet dish in restaurant kitchen

Gourmet Dining

Petaluma has long been a foodie paradise, where old-world recipes find new life with fresh, local ingredients and a California spin. Whether looking for French, Italian, Puerto Rican, Peruvian, or true California cuisine, foodies love all the delicious choices with elegant ambiance.

Italian cuisine lovers may choose from one of these time-honored, local favorites.  

Risibisi, established in 2006, has been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand for twelve consecutive years and Zagat’s Best Restaurant in Petaluma.  

At Cucina Paradiso, Zagat rated 27 out of 30, Chef Dennis makes everything in-house with fresh ingredients. 

Sugo Trattoria offers a delicious menu of modern and classic Italian cuisine, crafting handmade pastas, sauces, cheeses, and salumi. Soul-warming signatures include Nonna’s meatballs smothered in marinara and mozzarella.

For French cuisine, Brigitte Bistro offers scallops, beef bourguignon, duck confit and other traditional French fare with mouth-watering sauces in a cozy milieu.   

With cows dotting the hills, and the ocean fewer than 40 minutes away, Petaluma can be counted on for ultra-fresh, locally sourced surf & turf with restaurants such as The Shuckery and Seared. Other farm-to-table California fusion options include Table Culture Provisions, Luma Bar & Eatery, and Central Market.

Live Entertainment

Mystic Theatre marquis at night with historic building in background

Petaluma comes alive at night with live music at the Big Easy, The Mystic Theater, the Mercury Theater and at tap rooms throughout the city. For those craving a little theater, local theater troops and venues offer a wide range of stage plays.

Shop and Sip

Couple walking down broad sidewalk on tree-lined street in by historic buildings in Petaluma

Petaluma attracts travelers from around the world who find the walkable, historic downtown a treasure trove of boutiques of every stripe sprinkled with plenty of places to pop in for lunch or wine tasting to fortify for the next great find.

Luxury Shopping

Strolling downtown, shoppers can find everything from luxury clothes, shoes and handbags, to handcrafted fine jewelry and that perfect item for the home or kitchen. Here’s a sampling of Petaluma’s downtown boutiques.

  • Robindira Unsworth Home & Boutique oozes style with trendy jewelry, accessories, shoes, and apparel.
  • i Leoni is the place to find must-have items for your kitchen and home, and thoughtful gifts.
  • Estuary specializes in hand-crafted items that are beautiful and built to last, embracing local artisans and fair trade to help provide home goods that fit into a sustainable lifestyle.
  • Ooh La Luxe is luxury fashion meets fun boutique. They carry brands such as Beige Botany, Cotton Candy LA, Billini, Final Touch, Just Black and Miss Love.
  • Hollingsworth Jewelers Gallery is a laid back, friendly store with exquisite jewelry for any person or occasion. They also design custom jewelry and offer in-house repairs.

Wine and Spirits Tasting

No trip to wine country is complete without wine tasting. In Petaluma, in addition to great wineries and wine bars, visitors enjoy Petaluma-made spirits and craft beers.

WINE

young couple looking at menu at tasting room bar. He has his hand around her waist

Enjoy Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah made from grapes grown in the Petaluma Gap, Petaluma’s own AVA (American Viticultural Area) along with other varietals from Sonoma and Napa counties and beyond.

Wine tasting opportunities include:

  • Adobe Road Winery’s tasting room is in the Petaluma Mill and hosts live music on Thursdays and a Sweethearts Wine Tasting on Valentine’s Day.
  • Black Knight Cellars has a tasting room on the boulevard. Reservations are highly recommended for this intimate tasting room.
  • Brooks Note Winery has Valentine’s pairings at their tasting and barrel room. On Friday, February 14, there’s live music by Josh Yenne.
  • Sonoma Portworks, located in the historic Foundary Wharf is the place to taste dessert wines made right here in Petaluma.

SPIRITS

Couples at Griffo tasting bar. Griffo bottles lined up, some with award ribbons attached.

For those who prefer to sip something stronger, Petaluma has two tasting rooms for Petaluma-made spirits.

Griffo serves up fun events as well as award-winning spirits. On Saturday, February 15, the tasting room hosts Live Portrait Painting & Drawing with Eric Monti paired with the La Colonia taco truck from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.   

In addition, 10% of all bottle sales in February help support the World Central Kitchen, an organization that has stepped up to feed people in the aftermath of disasters, including the recent Los Angeles area wildfires.  

Barber Lee Spirits invites couples to experience its award-winning spirits in an intimate barrel room. Choose from single malt rye, Heirloom Corn Bourbon, Apple Brandy, Absinthe Blanche, White Rum, and Moonshine, or try one of Barber Lee’s creative cocktails.

CRAFT BEER

30ish man and woman at rustic table with beer served in jars. She's looking at their dog, who's framed by the table legs.

On Petaluma’s east side, tourists and locals alike flock to the Petaluma brewery and tasting room of nationally famous Lagunitas. The brewery offers daily tours, tasting flights, a casual menu, and live music (Thursday-Sunday). In addition, just across the street is HenHouse Brewing Co. Taprooms abound downtown as well, with Taps on the River, The Block, and Brewsters Beer Garden.

Your Romantic Weekend Awaits

Hotel Petaluma Lobby

Plan now for a long, langourous or quick and lively Petaluma weekend. Petaluma hotels have extended their winter specials and local restaurants are getting into the spirit of Valentine’s Day to make your experience even more romantic.


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