Small Gold Rush Town 45 Minutes From SF Named One Of The Best In The U.S. — Famous For World’s Largest ‘Star Wars’ Museum

The historic city of Petaluma was chartered in 1858, making it one of the oldest cities in California . From its fascinating Gold Rush heritage to the world’s largest ***Star Wars* memorabilia museum**, there’s much to see and learn on a day trip to this underrated town near SF. In fact, *CNN Travel* recently named Petaluma #6 among its new ranking of America’s best [small towns](https://secretsanfrancisco.com/towns-near-san-francisco/) to visit in 2025 , citing its thriving farm-to-table culinary trend, proximity to local gems like Bodega Bay and Point Reyes, downtown shopping scene, and historical legacy. Keep reading to learn more about what makes Petaluma stand out among the country’s best small towns. History of Petaluma ------------------- The indigenous Coast Miwok people originally inhabited this part of California for thousands of years, and the name “Petaluma,” meaning “hill backside,” derives from their language. Spanish exploration began in the late 18th century, and the land eventually became part of the Rancho Petaluma land grant after Mexican independence in 1834. The historic Petaluma Adobe still stands as an artifact of this time. After the California Gold Rush began in 1848, thousands of new settlers arrived to seek their fortune. Petaluma’s riverside location made it a crucial supply center, and it was chartered as a city in 1858. From the 1880s through the 1940s, Petaluma’s egg and poultry industry thrived, and the city became known as the “World’s Egg Basket.” Many of its historic buildings derive from this time of wealth, remarkably surviving the 1906 earthquake and enduring to this day. Things to do in Petaluma ------------------------ ### Historic downtown Explore 15 blocks of beautifully preserved Victorian architecture in Petaluma, with many historic buildings now housing boutiques, antique shops, and fantastic restaurants. Keep an eye out for wine tasting rooms, craft beer shops, and even cheese tastings at Marin French Cheese Company. If you’re visiting on a Saturday, leave time to browse the Petaluma Downtown Farmers Market from 9am-1pm. ### Rancho Obi-Wan Don’t forget to book advance tickets to visit Rancho Obi-Wan , the world’s largest *Star Wars* memorabilia museum. The rural 9,000-square-foot property houses hundreds of thousands of collectibles, including rare film props, vintage toys, costumes, and fan art. ### Festivals and events * Rivertown Revival Festival – This July music festival supports the conservation of the Petaluma River. * Petaluma Antique Faire – Over 200 antique vendors gather in Petaluma’s historic downtown for a one-of-a-kind fair in September. * Butter and Egg Days Parade – An Eastertime festival dating back to the ’80s with a lively parade and street fair celebrating the city’s agricultural legacy. * Salute to American Graffiti Car Show – Cruisin’ The Boulevard presents this May car show celebrating classic American cars and rock ‘n’ roll music from the ’50s and ’60s. * Mystic Theatre and Phoenix Theater shows – Look out for live performances at the historic Mystic Theatre and punk rock Phoenix Theater. ### Outdoor recreation Petaluma’s location supports fantastic outdoor recreational activities, from hiking around Helen Putnam Regional Park and the Shollenberger Park Wetlands to kayaking down the Petaluma River. Alternatively, you can expand your trip to explore Sonoma’s wine country or nearby redwood forests. Visiting Petaluma from SF ------------------------- 🚗 By car : Depending on traffic, it takes about 45 minutes to drive to Petaluma from San Francisco via Highway 101. 🚂 By public transit : * Golden Gate Transit operates direct buses from SF to Petaluma Boulevard, which take about 1 hour and 20 minutes. * Take the Golden Gate Ferry to Larkspur, then transfer to a SMART train to Petaluma. Source: https://secretsanfrancisco.com/petaluma-california-best-small-town/