Petaluma, CA

We are again using our Harvest Host membership to “camp” at Enriquez Winery.  We were greeted by jackrabbits, turkeys, and these two “guard” dogs.

The winery is owned by Cecilia Enriquez who welcomed us with tastes of her delectable wines and her story of leaving New Jersey and becoming a California winemaker.

After parking the RV, we headed into Petaluma for what became a 6K walk.  This town’s streets are lined with “iron front building architecture.”  What was ranch land providing hides and tallow to Spain in the 1830s, became California farm land in the 1850s and then a wealthy farming community by the 1900s.  Today businesses and homes of Victorian and art deco style line the streets.  What were banks, department stores, and offices are now antique stores, high end consignment shops and galleries.  This is formerly the Sonoma National Bank, now the Bank Seed Store.

Charming murals decorate many of the buildings.  This one reminds us of the Petaluma chicken farmers who put Petaluma on the map as the egg capital of the world.

This ice cream soda stands near the movie complex. 

 The town is proud of its role in such movies as Ameican Graffiti, Basic Instinct and Peggy Sue Got Married.  The Art Center boasted several outdoor exhibits including these.

New lofts rise above excellent restaurants.  We dined well at Cucina Paradiso.  Jerry could not resist having dessert.

On our second day we started with a history lesson at Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park.  This was the home of Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, who was the Spanish General in charge of the Presidio in San Francisco.  He was sent to what this area to secularize the Mission, colonize the area and keep an eye on the Russian outpost of Fort Ross.

Under the supervisor of the Mayordomo, the rancho was active in the trading of hides and tallow.  A self-guided tour led us to the well-restored many rooms of the house.

After touring the park, we went to Green String Farm, one of many farm-to-table operations in the area.  Ask us later how our fried mini artichokes turned out.

Back in Petaluma, we toured the Carnegie Library and Museum which has displays of the history of the town with emphasis on its more modern reputation for chicken and eggs.

Jerry found the muffuletta at the Waterstreet Café better than the one in New Orleans.  But all the walking demanded a stop at the Pie Shop.

Then it was on to port tasting at Sonoma Valley Portworks where the charming pourer talked us into some tasty purchasing.

We ended this day with a delicious dinner at Luma’s. 

 There was only one other couple there and we enjoyed conversing with them and learning some native lore.  This was the dessert we passed up.