Hotel Petaluma: Sonoma County Classic

What hides inside

Built in 1923, at a time when other cities like Petaluma demanded better lodging options for travelers, Hotel Petaluma is a testament to forward-thinking people. The hotel was funded by over 800 locals eager to show travelers they had a fine hotel. Although not ornate from the outside, as you approach the courtyard, its attractive fountain and sitting area opens your eyes to what hides inside. The art deco interior shines after recent renovations and the lobby bar, operated by The Shuckery restaurant, serves drinks and small bites to weary travelers.

A large fireplace provides a comfortable place to relax snuggled up on the plush sofa. Arched windows provide plenty of natural light for reading in the lobby. The high ceilings make for an expansive room that never feels cramped. After checking in, take a ride on the vintage elevator that was the first in Petaluma when the hotel originally opened. It takes a little getting used to since you have to slide the exterior door open and hold it to enter or exit. The accordion-style inner door opens and closes automatically while the motor engages pulling you upward to your room

Classic rooms

Once in your room, you will find a clean and functional space to call home for one or more nights. Most everything in the room is brand new, yet the classic look of a 1920s hotel is retained. The bathroom tiles on floors and walls are spotlessly clean. All fixtures are new and user-friendly. Amenities are good, and they have pet-friendly rooms, but they don’t have a swimming pool. The room choices will continue to improve as the renovations conclude soon. For now, guests can choose from a petite queen, standard queen, double queen, standard king, or deluxe king rooms. The junior suites will be ready in the near future and offer more space, a sofa, and wet bar.

After checking in, one of the highlights is a trip to the lobby where Barber Cellars resides. This small winery has its tasting room not at the winery, but here at the Hotel Petaluma. Chances are you might meet Lorraine Barber the winemaker, pouring wine and cooking your grilled cheese. Stop in for one of their amazing grilled cheese sandwiches like the Figgy Piggy. This combination of goat cheese, bacon jam, sun-dried tomatoes, fig jam, and prosciutto is a winner. A glass of wine and the sandwich will set you back a mere 19 USD and the sandwich is big enough to share. With The Shuckery restaurant next door, you don’t want to spoil dinner by getting carried away with possibly the best grilled cheese sandwich ever.

With its central location and loads of room the Hotel Petaluma is one of the town’s best choices for a special event. The old dining hall has been turned into a meeting space and offers around 1,900 sq ft/176.5 sq m of party or event space. Plan your special event and know the Hotel Petaluma will deliver a memorable wedding, business meeting, or family reunion.

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Excellent food choices

The Shuckery was born out of a desire to bring the Pacific coast seafood to Petaluma. Dine on fresh caught Roasted Fish of the Day like Petrale Sole, halibut, or salmon. Other items like the fish tacos, house smoked trout tartare, or local calamari will start dinner off right. Freshly shucked oysters, hot wings, and salads are also available. For drinks, they have local beers on tap and a good selection of wines from near and far. Service is fast and friendly and the prices reasonable considering you are near Napa and Sonoma.

What's nearby

The location of this grand old hotel puts you within walking distance to several great shopping venues. There are four antique stores within a ten-minute walk of the hotel. The Thrifty Hippie is a fun thrift store run by Sam the, you guessed it - hippie. Sam has gathered hundreds of cool vinyl records that decorate the walls and racks for music fans to peruse. Petaluma has several well-preserved buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s that adds to the charm of the town. You will find shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues in some of these architectural gems.

Bakery lovers will delight in the fact there are three great bakeries nearby. My favorite was Della Fattoria on Kentucky Street. You must get there early to have a chance to buy one of their specialties, the Meyer lemon rosemary bread. This is a well-known bread and people come from near and far to buy a loaf before it sells out. For a great breakfast try their Trio Toast with one egg salad, salmon, and bean topped toast or a breakfast sandwich with farm-fresh eggs. Another yummy bakery nearby is the CBC Bakery with some of the best scones I’ve had in a long time. These all-butter delights come in sweet or savory and change daily.