Family Vacation, Petaluma Style!

Planning a family vacation can sometimes feel like trying to satisfy a dozen different people at once. The kids want animals and adventure. Parents want good food and a little downtime. Someone wants to be outside, someone else wants to see something new, and everyone wants a vacation worth remembering. Petaluma makes it easy to keep everyone happy and engaged.

For example, during the warmer months, families can spend the morning meeting rescued animals, paddle the Petaluma River in the afternoon, and refuel at a retro diner. Read on for loads of reasons why Petaluma is the perfect spot for a family vacation.

Wings, fur, hooves, and fun!

For families who want to get back to nature and meet some new furry, hooved, or plumed friends, Petaluma offers a wide variety of opportunities from a working sheep ranch to animal rescues and sanctuaries.

At American Made Farm Sanctuary, the family farm visit gets a serious upgrade. This isn’t your typical petting zoo. Along with goats, pigs, cows, llamas and mini horses, the sanctuary is home to camels, emus, rheas and zebra hybrids. And then there are the names: Zazu, Dude, Tiny, Zeke and Benjamin, just to name a few. Farm tours give kids and grown-ups a chance to meet the animals, hear their stories and interact with the residents of this family-run sanctuary. It’s so much more intimate and down to Earth compared to a trip to a zoo.

For a taste of real farm life, Windrush Farm takes families into Chileno Valley for a look at a working sheep farm. Founded in 1995, the farm has grown into an educational facility that teaches children and adults about farm life, wool and the real-world connections between animals, grass and sunshine. It’s a chance to trade the city streets for open pasture and give kids a closer look at where wool comes from.

At the Petaluma Wildlife Museum, kids can get a closer look at the wild creatures that inhabit the region. It’s an easy stop for curious young naturalists, especially when the question of “What lives around here?” inevitably comes up.

For another perspective on local wildlife, Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue offers a chance to learn about the wild animals that need a helping hand. Reservations are required for public and private tours.

Together, these stops give families a glimpse into the animals, farms, and natural landscapes that make Sonoma County special.

Petaluma River fun

The calm, protected river makes for a gentle first paddling experience. The Petaluma River is actually a slough, with currents going both ways, depending on the tide. When the weather warms up, the Petaluma River becomes one of the best places in town for family fun. It may seem counterintuitive, but bundling up for a quiet, foggy morning paddle has its appeal as well.

The Floathouse puts kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards and pedal-powered watercraft right downtown, making it easy to get out on the water without turning it into an all-day expedition. For families, the giant Megalodon SUP can hold four to six adults, or a whole crew of kids, for a memorable group paddle. On select Saturdays, The Floathouse stays open late for sunset paddles, when the downtown waterfront takes on a whole different look.

For a Native American experience, make reservations with He’E Nalu O Marin Outrigger Canoe Center to learn about Hawaiian canoe culture, including Polynesian songs and dances, in a newcomer paddle session. The education begins on land before moving to the river. Their Petaluma location is on 2nd Street.

Wheel into fun: trains, racecars, bicycles

Next to fire, the wheel might be the most revolutionary invention of all time. Kids love wheels, fast cars, trains, and bikes. Celebrate wheels with these three fun family excursion ideas.

Take a ride on the rails

Few kids can resist a train ride. Adults love them, too. The SMART train connects Petaluma with communities along the North Bay corridor, making a train ride an attraction in its own right. The ride offers views of the countryside you won’t see from the freeway. Petaluma’s station is about a 10-minute walk from historic downtown, so families can turn a train ride into a day of lunch, ice cream, shopping and wandering. You can even take a day trip into San Francisco via the Larkspur Ferry (SMART’s southern terminus). Going carless in the city is fun and economical. Don’t forget to ride the cable car!

Head to the races

For a family evening with a little more horsepower, head to Petaluma Speedway to catch a thrilling car race, monster truck show, or motocross event. It’s loud. It’s fast. It’s decidedly not your average family night out. The historic 3/8-mile track hosts racing throughout the warmer months, with everything from wingless sprints and midgets to hobby stocks, mini stocks, and special events. Kids can watch the action from the grandstands while parents get a taste of one of Petaluma’s longtime traditions. If the kids get the bug and want more, Sonoma Raceway is close at hand for National competitions.

See Petaluma on two wheels

Named in honor of the city’s first female mayor, Helen Putnam Regional Park packs roughly six miles of trails
for hikers, cyclists, and equestrians within 216 acres of native grass and woodlands. An accessible picnic and playground area and a fishing pond stocked with bluegill provide other ways to play.

Redwood Bikeshare allows visitors to unlock and pay by the minute for electric bicycles to explore Petaluma at a slower pace. Bikes can be reserved at the SMART stations and any of the numerous Redwood Bikeshare racks throughout town.

Fun Family Dining

Family vacations require fuel, and Petaluma has no shortage of places where everyone can find something to love.

Pizza is an obvious winner, with independent pizzerias serving everything from classic pies to creative combinations. For a full-on retro experience, head to Two Niner Diner at the Petaluma Municipal Airport. Kids can watch small planes take off and land while the family digs into breakfast and lunch favorites. The aviation theme gives a meal an extra dose of fun. On the Boulevard, Sax’s Joint is a throw-back to a 50s diner, complete with checkered floor and comfort food.

Petaluma’s other retro diners offer plenty of family-friendly options, too. Grab a booth, order something hearty and let the kids marvel at the old-school décor while everyone takes a break from the day’s activities. With generous portions and menus built around familiar favorites, these are the kinds of meals that keep the whole crew happy.

For something distinctly Petaluma, stop at Roy’s Chicago Dogs & BBQ at the Yard for casual eats in an easygoing setting. Don’t let the gravel parking lot and the Stockyard throw you off. Tucked into that historic building is the place the locals go for the best hot dogs.

For even more examples, check out this article on Casual Dining in Petaluma. Sometimes the best vacation meals are the ones where nobody needs to worry about using the right fork.

Spend a week to do it all

With a river, farms, trails, a raceway, a train, retro diners, a Petaluma family vacation can be filled with fun, while still leaving room to slow down, play outside, and make the kind of vacation memories that don’t require a screen to remember. Where a paddle on the river turns into a sunset. Where a train ride becomes part of the adventure and breakfast has a view of small aircraft coming and going. You’re going to need a week to fully appreciate everything Petaluma has to offer. For large families, even the accommodations are part of the fun at the San Francisco No. / Petaluma KOA Camping Resort. They have an Olympic-sized pool, climbing wall, bounce pillow, petting zoo, dog park, family activities, summer movies and food trucks, and more!