Sample the bounty of Petaluma.
A lot has changed since Petaluma was chartered in 1858. Through it all, Petaluma has stayed true to its roots as an area known for its agricultural bounty and diversity. Artisan cheeses, organically-grown heirloom vegetables, all-natural free-range poultry, and fresh-off-the-farm eggs are just a few of the products that give Petaluma its well-earned reputation as an area of delicious abundance.
Dotting the fertile Petaluma valley, you’ll find family farms and ranches that take pride in using the same time-honored techniques perfected by the generations before them; they know that there are no cutting corners when it comes to producing authentic flavor. Taste and see for yourself at one of Petaluma’s farm-to-table restaurants, farmers’ markets, or ranch tours.
Sheep Shearing Day
Petaluma Adobe Historic Park
3325 Adobe Road
Saturday, April 27, 11am-2pm
California State Parks is excited to partner with non-profit, Flat Broke Farm, the longest operating farm rescue in Sonoma County. Under the expert guidance of shearer John Sanchez, you’ll learn how sheep lose their winter coats and how raw wool turns into yarn. Volunteers will share how to card and drop spin wool as rancho workers did in the 1830’s.
The Petaluma Adobe served as the headquarters for General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo’s 66,000 acre cattle rancho from 1836 to 1846. Over 3000 sheep were raised during that time and sheep shearing was a necessary part of rancho life. The wool was turned into clothing, blankets, and rugs and sent out to trade ships.
Admission fee is $3 for adults 18 and older, $2 for children 6-17, and free for children 5 and under. Visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park (707) 762-4871 prior to arrival. All the sheep participating in the demonstration are available for adoption.
Farms in Petaluma
Whether you call it “agri-toursim” or you just want to know more about where your food comes from, you don’t have to travel far afield in Petaluma to have an experience that connects you with a working ranch or farm.
About 10 minutes from downtown is a 260-acre family-owned and operated Tara Firma Farms. Focused on holistic farming, they use farming practices that are better for the animals, the land, and the environment.
Located on the outskirts of Petaluma is Lavender Bee Farm featuring English, Provence and Grosso lavender. Bees are raised naturally in Lanstroft and Topbar hives and no more than 40% of honey is removed from the hives at any time. Stop by their farm store and take some home for yourself.
Nestled in the hills west of Petaluma, McEvoy Ranch is the largest organic producer of Tuscan-style, estate-grown olive oil in the US. They strive to create a balanced agricultural ecosystem, with diverse plantings and animal populations to support a healthy landscape. Visitors can schedule private walking tours of the ranch with delightful nibbles and wine tastes along the way.
Our ranches and farms are both beautiful and educational. Visit their websites for information about tours and experiences.
VISIT A FARM OR RANCH
(often by appointment only; visit websites for info)
Farm to Table
In Petaluma, farm-to-table cuisine isn’t a new foodie trend; it’s the way that Petaluma restaurants have always approached sourcing and preparing food. Our fertile farmland and moderate climate have made it possible for restaurants to serve locally-grown, seasonal foods since the first restaurant opened on the dusty streets of Petaluma in the mid-1800s. And it continues to the present day.
As much as we like to talk about our agricultural legacy, what really matters is the way the food tastes…that’s when “farm-to-table” changes from a description to an experience. Critics have sung the praises of Central Market’s “brilliantly-prepared,” locally-sourced menu for years. Their produce, poultry, and pork come from their nearby farm, and everything is made from scratch daily.
Della Fattoria’s name says it all. Meaning “of the farm,” everything on their menu is rooted in the soil of the Weber family’s westside ranch. Open for breakfast and lunch, the freshest local ingredients are lovingly showcased in sophisticated yet casual fare. Other downtown restaurants with an emphasis on farm-to-table cuisine include Cucina Paradiso, Wild Goat Bistro, and Petaluma Pie Company, just to name a few.
farmers markets
EXPLORE THE BOUNTY OF OUR FARMERS MARKETS
Everyone knows that you’ll find the freshest and tastiest seasonal fruits and vegetables at Petaluma’s three Farmers’ Markets, but that’s only the beginning of why they are such popular community hubs.
Each market has its own personality, offering a distinctive mix of fresh-off-the-farm produce, prepared foods, live entertainment, flowers, grass-fed meat and poultry, and artisan products. So no matter which market you visit, you’ll take home a memorable experience…and some delicious food!
