Petaluma, California is a food and wine lover's paradise. Nestled in the heart of Sonoma County, Petaluma offers a wide variety of cuisines and wineries to explore. From farm-to-table restaurants to oyster farms, Petaluma has something to satisfy every palate. Not only the food and wine is amazing, Petaluma also offers beautiful nature, art, culture, and shopping opportunities. This makes Petaluma the perfect destination for a weekend getaway.
Imagine spending two days and one night indulging in delicious meals, sampling locally made wines, and exploring the area's natural beauty and unique boutiques. This guide will take you on a tour of Petaluma's best food and wine experiences, from morning coffee and pastries to a relaxing nightcap. By the end of the weekend, you'll have a new appreciation for the diverse and delicious offerings of Petaluma.
As a Petaluma local, we are going to share some of our favorite Petaluma weekend activities.
Starting the Day at Stellina Pronto
Start the day off right by visiting Stellina Pronto, a cozy Italian café located in the heart of Petaluma. The café boasts a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for a relaxing breakfast or morning pick-me-up.
The menu at Stellina Pronto features a variety of delicious pastries, including pastries, sandwiches and savory quiches. The café also serves up a delicious selection of coffee, from classic espresso to specialty Italian lattes.
Stellina Pronto is a great spot for breakfast or a morning pick-me-up because of its delicious coffee, friendly staff, and trendy atmosphere. Whether you're a local or a tourist, this café is the perfect place to start your day in Petaluma.
If you’re going on a weekend, make sure to get there early as the locals love it and there very well may be a line all the way down the street.
Brunch at Della Fattoria
Della Fattoria is a rustic, farm-to-table restaurant located in the heart of Petaluma. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, with warm wood accents and an open kitchen. The menu features a variety of delicious, seasonally-inspired dishes, with a focus on locally-sourced ingredients.
Brunch/Lunch at Della Fattoria is a must-visit for food lovers, offering a delicious and satisfying meal in a relaxed and comfortable setting. The menu is inspired by local and seasonal ingredients, ensuring that you will always find something fresh and new to enjoy.
To make the most of your dining experience at Della Fattoria, we recommend trying one of their seasonal specials, like the classic polenta plate with eggs, prosciutto and asparagus, or the Frittata with daily ingredients, and a side of the baked goods.
If you're in the mood for something sweet, the pastries are a must-try. And for something more savory, their sandwiches are always a hit. If you’re there early enough to beat the crowds, it’s well worth picking up a loaf of bread to take home with you. The olive is our personal favorite (though it does tend to sell out very quickly).
The staff is warm and welcoming and the decor is gaudy and fabulous. It’s a Petaluma gem.
Sandwiches on the Go from Ray’s Deli
Ray's Deli is a neighborhood institution known for its delicious sandwiches and friendly service. The deli has a casual atmosphere with a few tables to sit and enjoy your food. They serve up a variety of sandwiches, made with high-quality ingredients. Don’t be surprised if you see locals hanging out on the patio, drinking a beer and playing a game of cards.
Ray’s is a beloved local hub and since it’s conveniently located on the way out of downtown, you could easily grab a delicious sandwich with you and head out to the coast.
To make the most of your lunch at Ray's Deli, we recommend trying one of their classic sandwiches like Hot Pastrami or the Keokuk.
Fresh Oysters at Hog Island
Thirty minutes outside of Petaluma (on the coast), you’ll find the charming town of Marshall on Tomales Bay. Dillon Beach and Tamales Bay are themselves well-worth a trip, but adding world famous oysters on top of that makes it that much sweeter.
Hog Island is a working oyster farm overlooking the beautiful bay. The farm has a simple and rustic setting with picnic tables where you can enjoy your oysters on site. They serve up the freshest oysters you'll find, just plucked from the water.
Hog Island is a must-visit for oyster lovers, offering a unique and delicious dining experience. You can enjoy oysters on the farm, right where they are grown, shucked, and served to you.
To make the most of your oyster experience at Hog Island, we recommend trying a variety of oysters, such as their classic Atlantic oysters or the sweeter Pacific oysters. They also provide a selection of sauces and seasonings, so you can customize your oyster experience to your liking.
Grab a beer and hang out on Tomales Bay with a dozen oysters - life doesn’t get much better than that!
Wine Tasting at Keller Estate
Keller Estate is a family-owned winery located in Petaluma, known for its stunning views, beautiful grounds, and delicious wines. The winery has a rustic and inviting atmosphere, with a tasting room that offers sweeping views of the surrounding vineyards. Keller Estate produces a wide range of wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. While all the wines are fabulous, our favorite is the Pinot Noir, which is conveniently Petaluma Gap’s most well-known varietal.
Keller Estate is a must-visit for wine enthusiasts, offering a unique, enjoyable and affordable wine tasting experience. The winery's dedication to quality and attention to detail is reflected in the taste of their wines. The experienced staff is knowledgeable and passionate about the wines and the winery, and will be happy to guide you through the wines on offer.
To make the most of your wine tasting experience at Keller Estate, be sure to ask about the winery's tasting options, from a traditional flight of wines to more in-depth experiences like vineyard walks and cave tastings. It's also a good idea to make a reservation in advance, especially on weekends, to ensure a spot in the tasting room, or overlooking the vineyards.
And if you’re a car-fanatic, make sure to save some extra time to look at their expansive collection of vintage cars.
Olive Oil Tasting at McEvoy Ranch
On the outskirts of Petaluma, on a stunningly beautiful property, you’ll find McEvoy Ranch - famous for art tours, olive oil, and recently - Petaluma Gap wines.
At McEvoy Ranch, visitors have the opportunity to experience the process of olive oil production and taste the different varieties of olive oil the ranch produces. The ranch has a modern, state-of-the-art facility where visitors can see the entire process of olive oil production, from the groves to the mill.
A tasting of McEvoy Ranch's olive oils is a must-do experience for visitors, as the ranch offers a wide range of flavors and varieties of olive oil, all of which are made using sustainable and organic farming practices. From the classic extra virgin olive oil to the unique flavored oils like rosemary or lemon.
During the olive oil tasting at McEvoy Ranch, visitors will have the opportunity to sample a selection of oils, and learn about the differences in flavor, aroma, and texture. The staff will guide visitors through the tasting and provide information on how to use the oils in cooking and how to store them properly. Also, Visitors can purchase bottles of their favorite oils to take home as a souvenir.
And if you’re feeling up for it, it’s well worth trying their wines. McEvoy ranch’s property will blow you away - it’s been likened to Tuscany. So, enjoy a slice of the Italian wine country, right in your backyard.
A Weekend of Delicious Discoveries
Petaluma is a food and wine lover's paradise, offering a diverse and delicious range of cuisines and wineries to explore. This guide took you on a tour of our favorite Petaluma food and wine experiences, from morning coffee and pastries to an olive oil tasting. You've visited Keller Estate winery for some wine tasting, Stellina Pronto for coffee and pastries, Della Fattoria for brunch, Ray's Deli for sandwiches, Hog Island for oysters, and McEvoy Ranch for a property tour and olive oil tasting.
We've dropped a pin on each major location mentioned. Be sure to tell them Summer sent you!
The itinerary provided is just a guide, and Petaluma offers many more options and opportunities to explore. While you were enjoying delicious meals, sampling locally made wines, and exploring the area's natural beauty and unique boutiques, you've also learned about the local culture, history and art, making this trip a perfect getaway. Whether you're a local or a tourist, Petaluma is a destination worth visiting for a weekend getaway, and a chance to unleash your inner foodie. We encourage you to share your own experiences and recommendations with others and to come back to Petaluma for future culinary adventures.
Thinking of Moving to the Area?
Summer Olson Stubblefield is a Sonoma County local, third generation realtor and lover of all things food and wine relate. If you’re thinking about making the move to Sonoma County (which we highly recommend), or are looking to relocate within Petaluma, Summer is an enthusiastic, transparent and ‘get it done’ kind of realtor. You can reach out via phone, email, her website or Instagram.
707-319-5983
Summer Olson Stubblefield | Petaluma Real Estate Agent
@ soldwithsummer
DRE# 02010211
