Waterfront Delights & No Crowds: Travel Experts Crown Unknown City As California’s Top Getaway

We at Travel Off Path reported on one of the best idyllic escapes from San Francisco’s bustle a few months back, peeling back the curtain for the charming urban island of Alameda.

Since then, more travel experts (not as insightful, of course 😜) have crowned another San Francisco ‘burb as California’s top getaway.

Lying north of the bay is Petaluma, an unknown city to the masses and even fellow Californians like me. Frankly, I was surprised to see a no-name as a top 10 U.S. destination and number one in the “Golden State”.

As part of CNN’s ‘America’s Best Town To Visit 2025′ feature, Petaluma was arguably the biggest surprise; not in the sense of people wanting to escape the madness of San Fran, but that it’s ranked so high with little to no notoriety.

Diving deeper into Petaluma’s appeal, it’s clear many travelers have been missing out on this little-known town’s waterfront delights, down-home charm, and epic eats, even being nestled among one of America’s most culturally rich cities, where finding a bad meal is nearly impossible.

A Goldmine Of Fantastic Food

If there’s one common denominator Petaluma seems to have among visitors and travel guide critics, it’s food.

Petaluma is primarily known for farm-to-table selections, but the diversity will surprise you as well.

CNN hyped up Stockhome, serving a blend of Swedish and Middle Eastern delights in a place you’d least expect to find it, surrounded by the rustic charm of Petaluma’s downtown district.

Petaluma’s nostalgic vibe dates back to the 1800s Gold Rush. While gold-strikers surely ate like royalty, Petaluma’s past offers far more than what’s currently on menus.

In fact, sticking to the topic of food, Petaluma was formerly known as the “world’s egg basket” as a nationwide leader in egg and poultry.

Sadly, they still can’t tell us what came first — the chicken or the egg. Maybe AI will solve that soon…

Regardless, eggs are often the key ingredient to any sultry meal, and Petaluma has continued to make a name for itself in the food scene, giving San Francisco’s vibrant, cultural neighborhoods a run for their money as well as the surrounding wine country.

Though the Lagunitas Taproom is a familiar name, it outshines the neighboring town’s boozy offerings.

In CNN’s own words, “You could spend two weeks in Petaluma and not nearly eat through all the delicious dining options in town.”

Challenge accepted.

Zoom in on your phone’s map, pick a name that sounds enticing, and you’re sure to find something that suits you.

Although Brigitte Bistro holds a nearly perfect rating on Google and sounds too good to pass up — Beef Bourguignon, anyone?

Enjoy Waterfront Delights Along The Petaluma River

While most scope out boat tours to Alcatraz, there’s an entirely different way to enjoy the waters an hour north.

Perusing downtown by foot is one thing, and certainly enjoyable, fueling your day at a cozy cafe or whipping out your credit card at a local boutique, but enjoying the Petaluma River gives a whole new dimension to downtown with breezy patio dining and aquatic excursions fun for all ages.

Summer is a great time to visit, too, as NorCal gets a bit nippy come fall. Expect consistent 80-degree days through September before the pumpkin patches take over parking lots.

Some of the best ways to enjoy Petaluma’s scenic waterfront are by visiting The Floathouse Petaluma Boat Rental Center, a hub for thrilling activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, and even hydrobikes (they’re super fun!).

July’s Rivertown Revival has already passed us by and saw the largest crowd all summer, but it’s something exciting to keep an eye out for next time you’re in the area.

Then, of course, there are numerous spots to enjoy the sunshine and scenery at such places as:

• Taps on the River
• Water Street Bistro
• River Front Cafe
• Cucina Paradiso

Best Of Both Worlds: Gateway To San Fran & Wine Country

One thing you’ll undoubtedly enjoy about Petaluma is the lack of crowds, but being so close to two notable destinations, it’s a hard sell to stay in one place with so many iconic attractions nearby.

Petaluma is roughly an hour’s drive from downtown San Francisco and just 20 minutes to Sonoma, an underrated wine town in the shadows of Napa.

Obviously, San Francisco has seen the wrong side of headlines for years. As a recent visitor myself, I can attest it’s a lot better than its chaotic days of the pandemic, so long as you avoid the unsightly Tenderloin District.

As for Sonoma, it’s always a nice place to visit for a relaxing day sipping grown-up grape juice with no shortage of wineries to choose from.

For the ultimate surprise, though, I can’t tell you enough how much I enjoyed my recent trip to San Jose. While it’s more of a trek to reach than San Fran and Sonoma, it’s full of surprises and well worth the 90-minute drive.