Just 1 Hour From San Francisco, Petaluma Is The Perfect Northern California Day Trip Destination

In a place as big as Northern California, it’s easy for some great places to fall through the cracks. After all, we’ve got nationally renowned destinations like San Francisco and Yosemite National Park, so it can be tough for other places to get much attention, even if they are fantastic getaways. Next time you’re looking for a day trip in Northern California, skip the obvious spots and head to Petaluma. Conveniently located about an hour outside of San Francisco, it’s got a population of around 60,000, so it’s big enough to have plenty of amenities, but not so large as to be a sprawling tourist destination. Check out some of the great places to see in one of our favorite NorCal small towns:

The Petaluma Collective Antique and Militaria Mall, 300 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma, CA 94952, USA

Lee Steffi/Google Maps

This place is so neat! It's a huge antique shop with all kinds of military memorabilia dating back to the Civil War. In addition to the 6,000-square-foot retail space, there's also a military museum down in the basement. Check out the museum's website to see some of their fascinating artifacts.

Lagunitas Brewing Company, 1280 N McDowell Blvd, Petaluma, CA 94954, USA

Nancy Douglas/Google Maps

We may be best known for our wineries in Northern California, but there are some great breweries here as well. You'll definitely want to check out Lagunitas Brewing Company. This dog-friendly brewery has a tap room and regularly hosts live music. Check out the brewery's Lagunitas Brewing Company website for a calendar of events.

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Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 20 4th St, Petaluma, CA 94952, USA

Reflection Ridge Digital/Google Maps

Fans of Northern California history will not want to miss the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum. This place has so much information about regional history, with exhibits dating back to the 1850s. Visit the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum website to see some current exhibits.

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Marin French Cheese Co., 7510 Pt. Reyes - Petaluma Rd, Petaluma, CA 94952, USA

Marin French Cheese Co.

In addition to beer and wine, some great cheese is produced in NorCal. Marin French Cheese Co. is the oldest continuously operating cheese manufacturer in the country. Here, you'll find delicious artisanal cheeses of all kinds of varieties. Visit the Marin French Cheese Co. website to learn more.

Helen Putnam Regional Park, 411 Chileno Valley Rd, Petaluma, CA 94952, USA

Janet Durkin/AllTrails

Want to get outside and explore? Helen Putnam Regional Park is a great option. This lovely 216-acre park boasts six miles of trails, so there's plenty to see (and the views are incredible).

Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park, 3325 Adobe Rd, Petaluma, CA 94954, USA

Douglas Fong/Google Reviews

Visiting Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park is like taking a step back in time. This place has a fascinating history and has plenty of preserved buildings waiting to be explored.

Have you taken a day trip in Northern California to the town of Petaluma? This is definitely one of the best small towns in Northern California, and we love visiting this special place.

Want a getaway to this charming town in NorCal? Book a stay at this lovely downtown Petaluma home.