Sonoma County Things to Do

Historic Downtown Petaluma. Flanked by the Petaluma River, Historic Downtown Petaluma evokes authentic riverfront charm with Victorian homes and Iron Front buildings that are a sightseer’s treat. Experience Historic Downtown Petaluma’s extraordinary shopping, dining, nightlife, live theater, seasonal events, and scenic parks.

Petaluma Shopping. Stroll through Historic Downtown and visit a variety of antique shops, art galleries, specialty stores, bookshops, consignment shops, and nurseries featuring home and garden accessories. Browse the 15 modern shopping centers, including the Petaluma Village Premium Outlets, which features 60 brand-name stores - such as Brooks Brothers, Gap Outlet, and Coach - with unbeatable bargains.  [Top]

Point Reyes National Seashore. Point Reyes National Seashore contains a spectacular panorama of thunderous ocean breakers, grasslands, bushy hillsides and forested ridges. Point Reyes is comprised of 100 square miles of pristine Pacific coastline and wilderness with estuaries, windswept beaches, coastal grasslands, salt and freshwater marshes, coniferous forests, sand dunes, lagoons, and 400 bird species seen at the Point Reyes Bird Observatory. More than 147 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails weave through pastures, rugged ridges, and coastal cliffs. Enjoy backcountry camping, kayaking, wildlife viewing, and beaches for picnics, bird watching, and viewing the gray whale migration. Enjoy leisurely drives to wildlife areas like the Tule Elk Range. A 308 step walkway leads to the historic Point Reyes Lighthouse, built high on a cliff in 1870. Visit www.nps.gov/pore.

Infineon Raceway. Located in Sonoma, Infineon Raceway is one of North America’s largest motorsports complexes. From NASCAR to motor bike to vintage car races, race fans get their fill of speed and excitement. Make a dream come true and try the track yourself at the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School. Enjoy NASCAR, NHRA, Kawasaki Superbike, Vintage Car, Le Mans, and Indy Car races throughout the summer. Visit www.infineonraceway.com.  [Top]

Adobe Creek Golf Club. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., Adobe Creek Golf Club in Petaluma is a public 18-hole links-style course that will awaken your competitive instincts with long, contoured fairways, bent grass greens, four sets of tees, a meandering stream, five lakes and 72 bunkers for challenging play. To help you give Adobe Creek your bestshot, the club offers a grass driving range, chipping/putting greens and a practice bunker. Visit www.adobecreek.com.

Keller Estate Winery. Keller Estate is a family-owned ranch in the Eastern Hills of Petaluma with panoramic hilltop views of Petaluma Valley, the Petaluma River and rolling hills. The 600-acre ranch is comprised of rangeland, olive orchards and vineyards. Keller Estate grows Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah grapes. This summer, a new winery building will be open to the public with an adjoining tasting room. The dramatic setting is matched by the intense flavors of Keller’s handcrafted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Call 866-407-4959 or visit www.kellerestate.com on the web.  [Top]

Sonoma Valley Portworks. Sonoma Valley Portworks in the Historic Warehouse District of Petaluma is open for tasting by appointment Monday through Friday. Boasting premium, award-winning after dinner wines including two ports, a cream sherry and a fortified Muscat, Sonoma Valley Portworks offers wine tastings for $2, which includes a logo tasting glass to take home. To make a tasting appointment, Call 866-407-4959 or visit www.portworks.com.

Shollenberger Park. Experience the wetlands of Shollenberg Park with a 2 or 4-mile walk or hike through wetlands along the Petaluma River. The park features a two-mile circular trail and a one mile link to the Petaluma Marina through 80 acres of marshland. Take a free docent-guided tour or enjoy the park at your own pace. See a variety of birds and many species of mammals, amphibians and reptiles. Learn about animals, fish, plants, history, and the geology of the area. Call 866-407-4959 or go to www.petalumawetlandspark.org.

Spring Hill Jersey Cheese. Known by locals as “The Creamery,” Spring Hill Jersey Cheese in Petaluma, California produces farmstead cheese made solely from the milk of pasture-grazed Jersey cows. Why Jersey cows? Their milk contains a higher butter fat, which leads to cheese with a richer, creamier taste. Cheeses produced here include Quark, Ricotta, and an array of Cheddars and Jacks. For more information, Call 707-765-0225 or visit www.springhillcheese.com.  [Top]