Want to get out of the city and still eat delicious food? Head straight to Petaluma for some of the freshest, tastiest meals in the Bay Area.
8am: Greet the dawn with a hike through Helen Putnam Regional Park (411 Chileno Valley Rd). The six-mile Ridge Trail offers gorgeous views of the bay.
10am: You’ve earned a hearty meat pie at Thistle Meats (160 Petaluma Blvd N), a whole-animal butcher shop where the meat is cut by hand and the food is made in-house.
11am: Shop hidden treasures at Vintage Bank Antiques (101 Petaluma Blvd N), where all three floors are crammed with paintings, jewelry, furniture and artworks. Or peruse battlefield relics at the Military Antiques and Museum (300 Petaluma Blvd N), which sells antique firearms and bayonets as well as WWII memorabilia.
Noon: Stuff your face with fresh cheese and ice cream at Petaluma Creamery (621 Western Ave). The award-winning organic garlic jack cheese is a perfect souvenir.
1pm: Stop for a drink (or five) at the legendary Lagunitas Brewing Company (1280 N McDowell Blvd).
2pm: Then soak 'em up with lunch at the city's newest eatery, Chicken Pharm (132 Keller St), where you can devour buttermilk fried chicken, kimchi chicken sandwiches, honey Sriracha or Petaluma buffalo wings and white cheddar mac n' cheese.
4pm: Stop by Sonoma Portworks (613 Second St) for a free cookie and port tasting—or bring your own box of chocolates to try with their famous Deco port.
7pm: Relax with oysters and a martini at Graffiti (101 Second St, no. 190). The riverside restaurant is known for its seafood dishes and creative tapas like Tuscan calamari and blackened catfish.
9pm: Catch a show at the historic McNear’s Mystic Theatre (23 Petaluma Blvd). Built in 1911, what the venue lacks in modern amenities it makes up for in inspired parties.