Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Petaluma (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Rancho Petaluma Adobe, Helen Putnam Regional Park, and Free Public Library of Petaluma. Also, be sure to include Petaluma Wildlife Museum in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Petaluma (California).
Table of Contents
Rancho Petaluma Adobe
Ranch in Sonoma County, California. Rancho Petaluma Adobe is a historic ranch house in Sonoma County, California. It was built from adobe bricks in 1836 by order of Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo. It was the largest privately owned adobe structure built in California and is the largest example of the Monterey Colonial style of architecture in the United States. A section of the former ranch has been preserved by the Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park and it is both a California Historic Landmark and a National Historic Landmark. The Rancho Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park is located on Adobe Road on the east side of the present-day town of Petaluma, California.[1]
Address: 3325 Adobe Rd, Petaluma
Helen Putnam Regional Park
Regional park in Sonoma County, California. Helen Putnam Regional Park is a regional park southwest of Petaluma in California, U.S.A. which is maintained by the Sonoma County Regional Parks Department. It covers an area of 216 acres. The park entrance is at 411 Chileno Valley Road.
The park's official dedication took place in 1985.[2]
Address: 411 Chileno Valley Rd, Petaluma
Free Public Library of Petaluma
The Free Public Library of Petaluma is a research library and history museum at 20 Fourth Street in Petaluma, Sonoma County, California, US. Built in 1904 as a Carnegie Free Library, it was designed by Brainerd Jones as his first major commission before the architect gained regional recognition. In the 1970s, it was re-purposed as a research library and historical museum, known as the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[3]
Address: Fourth & B streets, Petaluma
Petaluma Wildlife Museum
Petaluma Wildlife & Natural Science Museum is a student-run museum located in the city of Petaluma, California. It is the largest student-run museum in the United States. Its mission is "to inspire the next generation through practical environmental education and conservation." It is a 5013 non-profit organization, relying on donations to fund expenses. The museum is located on the Petaluma High School campus, in which a "Wildlife Management" and a "Museum Management" class can be taken as an elective.
The collection includes dozens of several live species, such as snakes, lizards, chinchillas; as well as taxidermy.
The current teacher at the Petaluma Wildlife Museum is Phil Tacata, who has shifted the focus of tours to conservation of wildlife and the preservation of habitats around the planet.[4]
Address: 201 Fair St, 94952 Petaluma
Old Petaluma Opera House
Building in Petaluma, California. The Old Petaluma Opera House is a historic building located in downtown Petaluma, California.[5]
Cinnabar Theater
Concerts and shows, Opera, Theater, Comedy club
Address: 3333 Petaluma Blvd., 94952 Petaluma
Ellis-Martin House
The Ellis--Martin House, at 1197 E. Washington St. in Petaluma, California, is a Craftsman style house which was built in 1908. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.
It was designed by Petaluma architect Brainerd Jones and was built for John D. Ellis, a farmer, by Santa Rosa-based builder Frank A. Sullivan. It was home of Leopold Martin and his descendants, of a Marin County ranching family, from 1920 to 1998.[6]
Philip Sweed House
The Philip Sweed House, in Petaluma, California, is a Queen Anne-style house built in 1892. It has sometimes, mistakenly, been reported as the "Philip Swede House".
Sweed, though of limited formal education himself, was a champion of public education and served on the city's Board of Education from 1893 to 1925.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.[7]
Wickersham Park
Park, Relax in park
Address: 502 4th St, Petaluma
United States Post Office
Building in Petaluma, California. The United States Post Office in Petaluma, California is located at 120 West Fourth Street. The building, completed in 1933, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[8]
Mrs. Grossman's Sticker Factory
Factory tours, Tours
Address: 3810 Cypress Dr, 94954-5613 Petaluma