This town, situated on the U.S. 101 about 37mi/60km north of San Francisco, was founded in 1852, and even before that it was already providing the rapidly growing metropolis with agricultural products. To an immigrant Canadian, Petaluma - the Miwok Indian word for "flat back" - appeared to be an ideal place for chicken farming; he imported white Leghorn chickens, and in 1878 invented the incubator. Chicken farming reached its peak in 1920 when Petaluma, often called the egg-capital of the world, dispatched 22 million eggs.
Today there is nothing left of the chicken farms, even though the buildings of historic Petaluma have been amazingly well preserved, and its earlier importance as a river port for trade with San Francisco is still clear to see.
The Fairfield Osborne Preserve is a wildlife preserve located on 210 acres to the northeast of Petaluma. Great Horned Owls, Siskins, Titmice and Chickadees can be found here.
Tips: Open for public guided tours on Saturdays during the Fall and Spring seasons. The tour begins at 10am and lasts approximately 4 hours.
The Great Petaluma Mill contains the town's oldest building, a warehouse from 1854. This riverfront landmark contains specialty stores and restaurants. The history of the mill is told through photos and displays.
The Marin French Cheese Factory in Petaluma offers a free tour where visitors can watch over 35 kinds of cheese being made by hand. Visitors can also enjoy an outdoor picnic area by the pond.
Address: Marin French Cheese Factory, 7500 Red Hill Road, Petaluma, CA 94952-9438, United States
Phone: 1 (707) 762-6001, Fax: 1 (707) 762-0430
Hours:
8:30am-5:20pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Tips: Self-guided tours of cheesemaking are available daily. There is a deli to purchase cheese, sandwiches and drinks.
The Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park is on the site of General Vallejo's estate and is noted as one of the oldest preserved buildings in Northern California. Authentic furniture and interpretive displays recreate life during the 1830's and 40's. Self-guiding tours of the large two story adobe building take in the workshops where blankets and clothes were woven.
Hours:
10am-5pm; Closed: Sun, Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Housed in the former library built in 1906, a donation from Andrew Carnegie, the Petaluma Historical Museum and Library offers displays of the town's history from the 1850's. Exhibits include a horse drawn fire wagon as well as Miwok Indian artifacts. Highlights include the largest free-standing dome of stained glass in California, part of the original library design, historical displays of poultry from the 1880's to the 1940's as well as schoolroom and kitchen exhibits.
Address: Petaluma Historical Museum / Library, 20 4th Street, Petaluma, CA 94952-3004, United States
Phone: 1 (707) 778-4398, Fax: 1 (707) 762-3923
Hours:
10am-4pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed
Tips: Tours can be arranged on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Donations are accepted.
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Petaluma
