Petaluma: McEvoy Ranch; things to do

 101 North

McEvoy Ranch  

5935 Red Hill Rd./D St., 6 mi. SW of town, (707) 778-2307.  Daily 11am-5pm by reservation; olive oil tasting $30, age 5 and under free; tours $55 & 95. 

overview of McEvoy Ranch in Petaluma, California

Situated at the end of a scenic, narrow, private back road, the 550-acre McEvoy Ranch offers a spectacular landscape.  From the parking lot, you can see lavender fields up close and groves of olive trees amid rolling hills way off in the distance. 

pond-side seating at McEvoy Ranch in Petaluma

300-year-old black oak tree at McEvoy Ranch
in Petaluma, California

Upon check-in for the olive oil tasting, visitors are offered a “splash” of wine to carry along as they make a seating selection.  I chose two pond-side, Adirondack-style chairs, which were very comfortable and offered a spectacular view that included a sprawling 300-year-old black oak tree and red-winged blackbirds.  As it was a bit nippy, our tasting guide offered us each a heavy blanket that made things much more pleasant. 

olive-oil tasting guide at McEvoy Ranch in Petaluma, California

olive-oil tasting set-up at McEvoy Ranch in Petaluma, California

Our guide brought a basket of bread bits and five small bowls of olive oils for us to taste.  He described each and explained that they are all Italian style, that none are infused, and that the ranch uses an old stone wheel to cut and squish some olives and uses a more contemporary blade hammer mill for others.  Pressing occurs in
November, which makes that month a particularly interesting time to visit.

We tasted chai spice, herbs de Provence, and basil.  Additional flavors cost $3 each, and a vinegar tasting is available for $8.

more seating for tasting at McEvoy Ranch in Petaluma, California

The ranch is certified organic, and olives are harvested the old-fashioned way--by raking the trees and dropping the olives onto a mat on the ground.  

olive oils in gift shop at McEvoy Ranch in Petaluma, California

Outside distribution is limited, but a gift shop is loaded with tempting items to bring home. 

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images ©2023 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Petaluma: Tea Room Café; restaurant review

101 North

Tea Room Café 

316 Western Ave., (707) 765-0199. M-F 7:30-3, Sat-Sun 8-2; $$. No reservations. No credit cards.

Casual, noisy, and featuring a cheery French flair, the Tea Room Café is perfect for breakfast. Diners order at the counter—allow plenty of time, because the chalk-board menu has small print and a vast selection—then find a seat in the big open room or out by the sidewalk. Choose a goat cheese-tomato-avocado omelet, a corn waffle with real maple syrup, fluffy sour cream pancakes, sweet little eggs in a hole spiced up with harissa (ask for the eggs to be runny if you like them that way, because otherwise they might come out almost hard boiled). An array of scones and big puffy croissants are also options. The perfect latte is served in a big French-style bowl, and orange juice is fresh squeezed. Lunch brings on sandwiches, including a veggie burger.


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image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Petaluma: Luma; restaurant review

101 North

Luma  

500 First St., in Riverfront Warehouse District, (707) 658-1940. D Tu-Sun, SunBr; $$. No reservations. 

Situated in the hinterlands of town, this inviting and popular spot has some comfy booth seating as well as overflow stools at the bar. House-marinated olives are worth ordering right off at Luma to nibble along with swallows of the house cucumber water while perusing the menu. Two can eat well sharing a beet and arugula salad and a pizza, perhaps the Satan's Kiss topped with housemade Italian sausage, leeks, and ricotta cheese. Delicious fried Brussels sprouts and Key lime pie are specialties, and the Harris Ranch Black Angus skirt steak with chimichurri sauce and South American root vegetable smash sounds worth another visit.


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image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Petaluma: Lagunitas TapRoom and Beer Sanctuary; restaurant review

101 North

Lagunitas TapRoom and Beer Sanctuary

1280 N. McDowell Blvd., 5 mi. N of downtown.  No reservations. 

This way big beer garden is a surprise to find hidden in an office park. It features long communal picnic tables—some especially for families—as well as a few fire pits and lounge chairs. Indoor seating is also available, and live music entertains on weekends. Complimentary beer snacks at Lagunitas TapRoom and Beer Sanctuary include delicious peanuts in the shell and pretzels, but a menu offers more substantial drinking accompaniments such as pulled-pork sliders sausages, and chili. Though this brewery is justifiably famous for its IPA, it is also well-known for its seasonal ales and cleverly-named brews—how about a Hairy Eyeball or Brown Shugga?--and many of the brews are available only on-site (try a customized sampler). Intimate concerts are also regularly scheduled in the brand new grassy amphitheater. Tours of the adjacent Lagunitas Brewing Co. are available.


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image c2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Petaluma: Della Fattoria; restaurant review

101 North

Della Fattoria 

141 Petaluma Blvd. N, (707) 763-0161. Tu-Thur & Sat 7-3, F 7am-9pm, Sun 9-3; $$.

Part artisan bread bakery and part cafe, Della Fattoria is a cozy, pleasing venue for a tasty breakfast or lunch. Breakfast items include a housemade bagel with homemade cream cheese and smoked salmon (though it is near perfect, a few garnishes—perhaps some onions and pickles—would be nice) and a crusty housemade rosemary-Meyer lemon bread toasted and topped with pureed flageolet beans, Laura Chenel chevre, roasted garlic, and olive oil. Do remember to order up a loaf of bread and a bag of granola (heavy on nuts mixed with oats) to take home.

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image ©2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Petaluma: Metro Hotel; hotel review

101 North

Metro Hotel 

508 Petaluma Blvd. S., 6 blocks SE of downtown, (707) 773-4900. 14 rooms, 2 cottages, 1 Airstream trailer; 2 stories. Limited continental breakfast. No pets.

Located on a main thoroughfare four blocks south of downtown, this unusual lodging complex consists of rooms within an 1870s mansion as well as several cottages and an Airstream trailer. A mix of cheerful French blue and other perky colors welcomes guests. For the minimalist Metro Hotel breakfast you make your own cup of drip coffee--which is kind of fun and it is the gourmet organic Peet’s brand--and then select from a couple of pastries that might include a pumpkin or blueberry tea cake. The French atmosphere is enhanced with music and decor, yet subtle. Rooms are decorated similarly with a Parisian flair: walls in varying soft color washes; a chalk-board for a headboard; light, natural hardwood floors; distressed antiques. Most rooms have the spaciousness and high ceilings that come with Victorian mansions. Bathrooms vary, and all but two rooms have a clawfoot tub with a shower. Vintage touches include tiny one-inch, six-sided white floor tiles and two-faucet sinks. A bocce court invites play, and many benches beckon in the small garden.


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image ©2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Petaluma: Sonoma Valley Portworks; things to do

101 North

Sonoma Valley Portworks 

613 Second St., Riverfront Warehouse District, (707) 769-5203. Daily 12-5.

Tasting at Sonoma Valley Portworks  includes six wines—perhaps the chocolaty Deco port, or the Duet hazelnut sherry--plus the rich, sweet Sonomic “almost” vinegar. On weekends, tastings are paired with cheeses and sweets, and amazingly it’s all free. Bottling takes place in the back.


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image ©2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Petaluma: The Find; things to do

101 North

The Find  

322 Western Ave., (707) 763-2276.

some finds at The Find in Petaluma, California

This spacious shop features home furnishings on consignment as well as many chicken-related items—perhaps a series of chicken-head paintings or an antique chicken egg incubator.


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image ©2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers