Less than a week into this trip, we had to make a major change in our plans.
We were supposed to head to Clear Lake upon leaving Yosemite. However, daily high temperatures in that area were now forecast to top 95 degrees for the duration of our visit and news reports indicated that Clear Lake was experiencing an earlier-in-the-summer-than-usual algae bloom, making the water potentially unhealthy to swim or wade in and unpleasant to smell. Nothing about this set of circumstances was remotely appealing, so we decided to find another place to go.
Since we were planning to go to Sonoma County after Clear Lake, we decided to head in that general direction and stay wherever we could find a decent spot. Luckily we were able to make a reservation at an RV park just outside Petaluma, which is about 15 miles west of the city of Sonoma.
Petaluma ended up being a great destination. In addition to tasting rooms and restaurants, its vibrant downtown area is loaded with historical architecture. There are also some really nice, dog friendly parks in the area, so once we got settled, we set out to see the sights.
Not far from our RV park, west of downtown, we found a county park with relatively easy hiking trails through grassy fields filled with wildflowers, surrounded by beautiful farm land and mountains.
A typical view from the hiking trail. In the middle of the photo, barely visible, cows are grazing on the hillside.
Another view from the trail, including of the trail itself. Much of the topography in Sonoma Wine Country looks like this: hills covered with grasses, lots of open space, and clumps of trees, interspersed with farmland and vineyards.
This bird was absolutely gorgeous. I don’t know anything about birds, so I have no idea what kind it was or how common it might be but I thought it was beautiful sitting among the wildflowers. Click for a close up view.
I believe this is wild Yarrow: there was a lot of it growing in this particular part of the park. In fact I think one of the intersecting trails was called Yarrow Trail.
After our hike, we headed to downtown Petaluma to explore the historic district. First we stopped at the Visitor Center, where we picked up a walking tour map with information about the most significant buildings.
This building dates from 1882, apparently the height of Petaluma’s prosperity, which at the time was centered on the Petaluma River.
The Pedestrian Bridge that connects the downtown area with other businesses across the river. The bridge was built in 1990 and won First Place in a competition for engineered timber pedestrian bridges.
These downtown businesses which face Petaluma Blvd make use of their rear riverside space for customer seating.
The Sonoma County Bank Building, at the corner of Petaluma Blvd and Washington Street, was built in 1926, and is currently used as an event venue
The Hotel Petaluma, at the corner of Washington Street and Kentucky Street, dates back to the 1920’s. It was recently renovated to restore it to its original glamour.
On another corner of Washington Street and Kentucky Street is the Herold building, built in 1899 and famous for its stunning golden corner cupola.
Back on Petaluma Blvd, McNear’s Saloon, constructed in 1886, is one of a group of connected buildings that at one time housed a silent movie theater, a National Guard Armory and a saloon.
Hey John,
Thanks for all your feedback. We try to make the best of things and I did enjoy our time in Petaluma.
To answer your question, no, we did not go to Petaluma last year. However, we did go to Ventura, Sacramento, Placerville, & some other small towns in Gold Rush Country. I’m not sure what town you are thinking of. Unfortunately, not all of my photos from last year are on the blog, as it was still shut down until August, I think. However, I did send out a “newsletter” from our June trip.
Thanks Nolia. It is quite a nice place. So much going on and they have done a great job preserving old buildings and keeping the downtown vibrant and alive. And the location is wonderful, so close to Napa and Sonoma and the Russian River and San Francisco. There’s a lot to like.
Glad you’re having fun! Clear Lake is a less than desirable area so happy you skipped it. The bird in your photo is a common Scrub Jay found in many CA areas. You will often see it perched on park benches and, of course, in the scrub. Petaluma also has the lovely Schoenberger Park, a popular place to photograph shorebirds when the lake is filled.
Hey Melissa,
Great to hear from you. I am still very interested in going to Clear Lake; I know its a bit on the rustic side, having driven through it last summer. But Lake County is an up and coming wine region, and I’m determined to explore as many of them as possible. I found that it reminded me a bit of some of the old lake towns in New England that I visited when I was young. In any case, the timing was not right this year.
We are now in Bodega Bay and I’m looking forward to taking lots of photos of this beautiful place. Thanks again for checking in.
I sure am enjoying seeing all your pictures and commentary this year. Living in California for over 10 years, I still haven’t been to Yosemite yet. Thank you for bring me one step closer!
Raphael,
Great to hear from you and delighted you are enjoying the blog.
Yosemite is truly inspiring. However, I must confess that Death Valley is still my favorite National Park in California. Someday I’ll post my old photos from there when I create an archive section for this blog but it won’t be this summer, as we’re off again in a few weeks.
For now just saving this so it will be easier to comment going forward. a bank building used for F&B, GREAT! I am curious about the window designs that seem commonplace in commercial buildings in Petaluma. Thanks WW.
I’m not sure exactly what you are focused on in regard to the window designs so we will have to discuss in person. I do notice the use of arches as opposed to rectangular shapes for windows…I wonder if it is due to the period in which a lot of these buildings were constructed. Perhaps we need to do some research..
Looks like Plan B went well! Some of the shots from Petaluma look familiar. Did you go through there last year?
Hey John,
Thanks for all your feedback. We try to make the best of things and I did enjoy our time in Petaluma.
To answer your question, no, we did not go to Petaluma last year. However, we did go to Ventura, Sacramento, Placerville, & some other small towns in Gold Rush Country. I’m not sure what town you are thinking of. Unfortunately, not all of my photos from last year are on the blog, as it was still shut down until August, I think. However, I did send out a “newsletter” from our June trip.
Thanks for sharing! Enjoy wine country!
These are great pix, Leslie. They make me want to move to Petaluma.
Thanks Nolia. It is quite a nice place. So much going on and they have done a great job preserving old buildings and keeping the downtown vibrant and alive. And the location is wonderful, so close to Napa and Sonoma and the Russian River and San Francisco. There’s a lot to like.
Glad you’re having fun! Clear Lake is a less than desirable area so happy you skipped it. The bird in your photo is a common Scrub Jay found in many CA areas. You will often see it perched on park benches and, of course, in the scrub. Petaluma also has the lovely Schoenberger Park, a popular place to photograph shorebirds when the lake is filled.
Hey Melissa,
Great to hear from you. I am still very interested in going to Clear Lake; I know its a bit on the rustic side, having driven through it last summer. But Lake County is an up and coming wine region, and I’m determined to explore as many of them as possible. I found that it reminded me a bit of some of the old lake towns in New England that I visited when I was young. In any case, the timing was not right this year.
We are now in Bodega Bay and I’m looking forward to taking lots of photos of this beautiful place. Thanks again for checking in.
Lots of great California history in Sonoma County. Petaluma looks like a great place to visit if you enjoy viniculture and architecture! Enjoy 🙂
Wendy,
You are right. City of Sonoma up next. Thanks for checking in.
I sure am enjoying seeing all your pictures and commentary this year. Living in California for over 10 years, I still haven’t been to Yosemite yet. Thank you for bring me one step closer!
Raphael,
Great to hear from you and delighted you are enjoying the blog.
Yosemite is truly inspiring. However, I must confess that Death Valley is still my favorite National Park in California. Someday I’ll post my old photos from there when I create an archive section for this blog but it won’t be this summer, as we’re off again in a few weeks.
For now just saving this so it will be easier to comment going forward. a bank building used for F&B, GREAT! I am curious about the window designs that seem commonplace in commercial buildings in Petaluma. Thanks WW.
I’m not sure exactly what you are focused on in regard to the window designs so we will have to discuss in person. I do notice the use of arches as opposed to rectangular shapes for windows…I wonder if it is due to the period in which a lot of these buildings were constructed. Perhaps we need to do some research..