If you’re in California anyway, you simply must visit Petaluma during World Cup 2026. Located less than an hour north of San Francisco, Petaluma is an easy side trip for World Cup travelers seeking an authentic Northern California experience. This walkable riverfront town sits at the gateway to Sonoma County wine country, a 45-minute drive will take you to the Redwoods or the Sonoma Coast. Enjoy world-class, farm-to-table cuisine, local wine, craft beer, live music, and shopping without the crowds. Ideal for a midweek stay or an overnight, Petaluma combines scenic beauty, local culture, and convenient access to San Francisco, making it a rewarding stop between World Cup matches. Read on to find the perfect things to do in Petaluma, based on your interests.
1. Relaxing Reset
If you need to reset and regroup, while experiencing a hometown slice of Northern California, Petaluma has just the right low-key activities to help you slow your roll before, in between, or after World Cup matches in San Francisco.
Bay to Hay
For a different perspective, seeing the bay from the water and the countryside glide by from a train window, consider a trip on SMART (Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit). Working in a North Bay detour is easy. From SFO or your hotel, you can take BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) to the Embarcadero, which is a short walk to the Port of San Francisco Ferry Building. From there, ride the Golden Gate Ferry to Larkspur, then rail to downtown Petaluma. If you’re 65+, the train is free through June 30, 2026 (unless extended again to 2027). A free downtown shuttle can take you to the walkable downtown filled with shops, restaurants, art, and wine bars. The next train station to the north puts you in Maker Alley, where you’ll find Lagunitas Brewing, HenHouse Brewing Company Palace of Barrels, and Griffo Distillery. You won’t even need a rental car!
Art Therapy
For art lovers, Usher Gallery near the Mystic Theater on the Boulevard and Nanny Goat Gallery near the waterfront brim with beautiful works of art and artisan goods. Near the train depot on Lakeville Street, you can spend an afternoon (Thursday – Saturday) at Petaluma Arts Center. The town is also dotted with numerous murals. Pull up the City of Petaluma Public Art Map to find them.
Nurturing Nature
Natural beauty abounds in Petaluma’s parks, trails, and wetlands. Shollenberger, Helen Putnam, Tolay, and Petaluma River parks have trails with wildlife, vistas, and even fishing. For bird watching and the zen of the water, consider renting a human-powered watercraft at The Floathouse or Clavey Paddlesports.
For a guided river or wetlands walk, explore these options:
- Join the weekly Petaluma River Walk on Tuesdays 9 am – 10 am.
- Petaluma Wetlands Alliance docents lead free mile-long (longer by request) bird and nature walks at Ellis Creek Wetlands.
Outdoor Recreation
2. Sporting Events & Activities
If you’re between World Cup matches, but still crave sporting events or activities, Petaluma has a few options for the sports-minded that won’t break the bank. You can take to the hills on foot or mountain bike, kayak the river, or head to the races.
The Floathouse, which boasts a large selection of human-powered watercraft (16 types!), often hosts boat races. Anyone can join in on the fun…