Petaluma’s downtown district is a quaint riverfront area full of well-preserved turn-of-the-century buildings and Victorian homes that’s on the National Register of Historic Places. It is home to Penry Park, Putnam Plaza, Walnut Park, Steamer Landing Park, the historic walking route, the Victorian homes walking route, Turning Basin & Harbor, and numerous shops, galleries and restaurants.

Downtown Petaluma is also home to the Golden Eagle Center, Petaluma Yacht Club, Chamber of Commerce, Great Petaluma Mill, Boulevard Cinema, the Post Office, the Historical Library & Museum, St. Vincent’s Church, and more.

If you like microbrews, check out Dempsey’s Restaurant & Brewery, offering a variety of hand-crafted ales and culinary delights. If you are interested in art, you will find about 15 different galleries in the downtown area. If it’s antiques you are after, you’ll find more than a dozen antique shops.

The downtown area of Petaluma is also the site of numerous events throughout the year, such as the Petaluma Poetry Walk, featuring well-known poets from the Bay Area and beyond, Antique Faires, the Art and Garden Festival, and Art in the Park.

Don’t miss the Petaluma Farmers Market two days a week at two different locations downtown during the months of May through October. Enjoy the bounty of Sonoma County produce and other local goods including fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, plants, fresh baked goods, cider, cheeses, Indian foods, hot dogs and soft drinks. Pick up some treats to go or plan a picnic and enjoy the park setting. Every market day also features live musical entertainment, face painting, a balloon artist, a jumping house and pony rides. Visitors will also find a great selection of unusual and interesting handmade arts and crafts.

No matter what time of year you find yourself in Petaluma, there’s always something fun to do in the historic downtown district of this charming California city.