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Ann Hutchinson
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Joining the shop-small revolution, supporting local businesses and artisans, is easy in Petaluma, a town CNN has acknowledged as one of the best (#6) Small Towns in America to Visit. Experience the joys of holiday shopping while supporting small businesses. In Petaluma’s historic downtown, boutiques housed in 19th-century buildings offer everything from the latest designer fashions and artisan items, to antiques and vinyl records. An old-school shopping spree is sure to continue further down the boulevard, in midtown, and on the east side. Plan a holiday-shopping adventure in Petaluma and you just may make it an annual tradition! Read on for eight Petaluma shop-local ideas and four Petaluma holiday vacation suggestions.
Holiday Shopping Inspiration
A treasure seeker never begins a quest without a plan and a map. First, the plan. The very best days to get your shopping done in Petaluma are November 29 and December 6. November 29 is Shop Small Saturday, and December 6 is the Downtown Holiday Shopping Stroll featuring special offerings in Kentucky Street shops and holiday entertainment. And don’t forget to get the littles to help you with the 1st Annual Downtown Holiday Hen Hunt (find all the hens in the shops for a chance to win prizes).
Now for the map. While not an exhaustive list, we’ve highlighted some of the shops where travelers are sure to something to please everyone on their gift-giving list and something for themselves as well.
Michael Woolsey
8 Petaluma Holiday Shopping Ideas
- Discover one-of-a-kind jewelry by local designers at Robindira Unsworth or Hollingworth Jewelers Gallery.
- Find designer handbags at Pennyroyal and Ethical Clothing.
- Give the taste of Petaluma with gifts that will easily fit in your suitcase from Sonoma Spice Queen or Lala’s Jam Bar and Urban Farmstand, or heirloom seeds for the gardener in your life with from Petaluma Seed Bank.
- Shop i Leoni, Ceto Home, and Estuary for kitchenware and décor.
- Embark on a treasure hunt at Petaluma’s plethora of thrift and consignment stores, such as Vicki’s Secret Designer Consignments, the The Thrifty Hippy, or Alphabet Soup Thrift.
- Go antiquing to locate the perfect gift or item for your home at Petaluma’s many antique stores, like alabaster jars and vintage instruments at Sienna Antiques; shabby-chic to elegant furniture, décor and more at Summer Cottages Antiques, Chelsea Antiques, and Yankee Girl Antiques (full list of antique stores on resource page); and vinyl records at Paradise Found Records.
- Please the gamers in your life with a stop at Word Horde, Goblin Bros., or Nostalgia Alley.
- Treat the little ones to thoughtful toys and games from Heebe Jeebe on Kentucky St. or Poppy’s on Petaluma Blvd N. If you’re traveling with children, check out our Activities for Kids list pdf.
Top 4 Holiday Trip Suggestions
Visiting Petaluma in all its holiday glory requires a little planning. Here are some suggestions to make your first or return trip to Petaluma spectacular and worry-free.
See Santa Ride in on His Tugboat!
Jim Johnson
On the morning of November 29, at River Plaza shopping center, watch Santa’s Riverboat Arrival aboard a tugboat! Enjoy carols sung by a choir, a face-painting clown, and more. If you’re bringing littles, they can get a free photo with Santa & Mrs. Claus. Besides setting the mood for your holiday shopping, you might be one of the lucky 100 earlybirds to receive a free Shop Small bag filled with goodies and offers from local businesses.
Santa’s Riverboat Arrival & Small business Saturday
Light Up Your Vacation
George Murphy
Petaluma loves holidays lights and you can love them too at these popular holiday traditions:
- Cruise the city by night in December with a City of Lights driving tour map to see homes and businesses that have taken holiday decorating to new heights, and drive down D street to see numerous decked-out Victorians. Pro tip: Consult our list of restaurants open on Mondays on our resources page for a pre-tour meal.
- Ring in the season at Light Up the Square, a time-honored tree lighting and celebration on Friday, December 5, in Theatre Square.
- On December 13, watch the river light up with holiday lights and cheer as the Petaluma Yacht Club’s Lighted Boat Parade glides into the downtown turning basin.
Make Your Journey Magical
Courtesy SMART
Coming by ferry and train makes the journey part of the magic! If you come in December, even the train is decorated for the holidays! If you’re visiting from San Francisco, skip the traffic and take in sights hidden from US 101 by taking the Golden Gate Ferry to the Larkspur Landing SMART station. See Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) for details and schedules. If anyone in your party is 18 or younger, or 65+, they ride the SMART train for free!
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Plan your entertainment
Michael Woolsey
Listen to top-notch live music while you’re here at Griffo Distillery, The Big Easy, The Mystic Theater, Lagunitas, and more. Check out our live music page to learn more. Also peruse our Arts and Entertainment page for where you can catch a show or an art exhibition. Check out our Events Calendar a week before your arrival, so you won’t miss a thing!
live music
Arts & Entertainment
Event calendar
Book Your Petaluma Holiday Vacation
Whether you’re drawn to Petaluma for the Historic Downtown, the river, the shopping, the arts and entertainment, or the holiday traditions, Petaluma has lodging options to fit every traveler and budget.
- Stay at Hotel Petaluma in historic downtown to keep most of the season’s magic within walking distance
- Book a room with a kitchenette at Home2 Suites by Hilton for quiet nights in with the kids
- Choose the Metro Hotel and Café for a boutique hotel with French flair
- Luxuriate in modern amenities in an old silk mill at the Hampton Inn Petaluma
- Drive or sail to the Sheraton Sonoma Wine Country Petaluma, which overlooks the Marina and wetlands
- Families enjoy the convenience, comfort, and amenities at the Courtyard by Marriott Petaluma Sonoma County, the Best Western Petaluma Inn, the Quality Inn Petaluma, or the Super 8 by Wyndham
- Glamping is just at the edge of town at the San Francisco North – Petaluma KOA
Explore the hotels and lodging page to learn more about these properties. Wherever you book a room (or cabin), you will be delighted by the holiday spirit and all of the things to do in Petaluma. In addition, Petaluma makes a great home base for day trips to the redwoods, the beach, wine tasting, and San Francisco.
Hotels & Lodging
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