A shout-out to Ted Bagaman for the posting!
We were there on Friday, April 25th, 2025 via ferry and Smart-Train. It would make a lovely day-trip, especially when combined with a Petaluma event, of which there are many.
Once ‘the world’s egg basket,’ this Gold Rush-era boomtown still delivers culinary riches
Petaluma is No. 6 thanks to its farm-to-table culinary scene, historic downtown and easy day trips.
Story by David G. Allan, CNN | Video by Gabe Ramirez and Styke Dimas, CNN
7 minute read
Updated 4:52 PM EDT, Thu June 26, 2025
Petaluma, California CNN —
Petaluma’s farm-to-table trend dates all the way back to the California Gold Rush of the mid-1800s. Between lush farmland and a river for transport, the town found itself in a prime position to provide eggs, dairy, meat and veggies to mining towns in the region and down to booming San Francisco, less than 40 miles south.
You can still see faded chicken “Hatchery” business names painted on old brick buildings in what was once locally touted as “the world’s egg basket.” There’s an enthusiastic hometown gathering for the annual Butter & Egg Days Parade and Festival, and at the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum you can get up close to an egg cleaning machine and see an old photo of the town’s former chicken pharmacy (‘cause fowl sometimes feel foul).
The town’s culinary tradition continues today with everything from buffalo milk ice cream and sourdough bagels to Swedish cuisine and famous craft beer. But there are other draws to Petaluma, including shopping among buildings from the 1800s, hip bars, live music and loads of nostalgia.
“Our historic downtown is a quirky, kinda magical place to hang out in and find something fascinating, in particular, really good food, festivals for cheesy reasons and at this time in our history, a very cool weekend music scene,” said Tom Gaffey, general manager of the Phoenix Theater, an all-ages music venue.
Petaluma is also well-positioned as a base for the current riches of the region. Think of this town as the hub of a pioneer’s wagon wheel, spokes stretching out in all directions to day trip points of interest. West to Point Reyes National Seashore and Bodega Bay, north to the redwoods around Guerneville, east to wine country, and south for hiking on Mount Tamalpais or the houseboats and dockside fun of Sausalito, then just over Golden Gate bridge to the big city — all reachable within an hour, traffic-willing.
Once ‘the world’s egg basket,’ this Gold Rush-era boomtown still delivers culinary riches
Greg