Petaluma is worth a stop off Highway 101 for travelers passing through Sonoma County. There’s a historic and appealing downtown with great food and interesting stores. It’s well worth a visit for an overnight or day trip.
And with a number of moderately priced hotels, Petaluma can also be a good jumping off point to explore Point Reyes National Seashore, 25 miles away, or Sonoma, a distance of 15 miles.
The lively downtown center is at Petaluma Boulevard and Washington Street. The downtown district backs up against the Petaluma River, which features walking trails, kayaking and outdoor dining…