A visit to the Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park will bring you back to the largest privately owned adobe building in Northern California in the 1830-40's and the center of activity on one of the most properous private estates established during the Mexican Period. Vallejo instructed the rancho's indigenous workers to run his cattle, grow his hide and tallow business, raise sheep, breed horses, and grow numerous crops. The adobe contains authentic furniture and exhibits depicting early rancho life.
Basic Park Info
- The park is located at 3325 Adobe Road, Petaluma, CA 94954.
- Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. *Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, & New Year's Day*
- Dogs are not allowed in historic buildings that require payment for entry. Dogs are permitted on all paved areas and must be on a six-foot maximum leash and under human control at all times.
- Public restrooms, as well as an ADA accessible portable toilet, are located in the parking lot.
- Park fees are due upon entry to park land. Please pay park fees up at the adobe building.
- Your museum admission receipt works like a ticket for same day entry to the following park sites at Sonoma SHP: General Vallejo's Home and San Francisco Solano Mission.
Activities
- Self-Guided Tours: Walk through the adobe building and discover the labor practices and rancho culture of Mexican-era California. History panels and self-guided tour sheets will help explain what you are seeing. To enter the rancho, a $3 admission fee will be charged for adults, $2 for youth, and kids 5 and under are free.
- Guided Tours: Take a docent-led guided tour of the historic buildings. View Guided Tour details here.
- Park Events: Apart from our Self-Guided and Guided tours, both our park staff and park partners run a variety of outdoor events! Visit our event page to view upcoming events.
- Special Events: The park is also available for private events. Please see our special event page for more details.
- Exhibits: The Petaluma Adobe rancho houses various rooms for touring. Downstairs are the working rooms. The granary holds many tools of the trade and historic food storage. The leather room shows off the entire process of cattle to saddle. The weaving room hosts many different fiber art tools and materials to make historic clothing or decor. Upstairs we have the recreation rooms. The married servants quarters and the fandango room are meant to reveal the housing conditions for the large indigenous workforce. Next to it is the mayordomo room, a private room which housed the rancho's on-site manager. Lastly, we have the Vallejo family dining and bedroom. See the end result of the lucrative hide and tallow trade by seeing Vallejo's expensive fine china, mirrors, and other exotic items that can't be made on site.
Wildlife
We are located in rural Petaluma. The park has wildlife that may be seen from time to time. From foxes and ground squirrels, to different bird species that nest in the tall trees. Wildlife should always be appreciated from afar and never disturbed.
Weather
Summer mornings are often foggy, with sunshine replacing the fog in the afternoon. Expect strong afternoon winds and heavy winter rains. We recommend layered clothing.
