Chock full of charming, historic buildings filled with shops and a lively food and beverage scene, downtown Petaluma is the definition of hip these days. You likely know it’s famous for butter and eggs and has served as a backdrop for locally filmed movies. But do you know anything about the Petaluma River?
It’s next to impossible to miss when you come into town; you’ve probably paused to watch someone frolic along the river, maybe even snapped a photo. With summer in our sights, now’s the time to make a splash of your own — and The Floathouse makes it easy.
“We call it Petaluma’s longest park. We’re so lucky that we’re a farm town with a river,” said Maggie Hohle, who juggles social media and a bit of programming along with guiding a new kayaking tour for The Floathouse, a boating community center of sorts created by the nonprofit Petaluma Small Craft Center.
Located on floating docks in downtown Petaluma, steps from the John Balshaw River Walk Bridge (otherwise known as the Footbridge), The Floathouse rents a multitude of human-powered watercraft. From kayaks and rowboats to canoes, paddleboards and water bikes, there’s more than a dozen beginner-friendly watercraft ready to propel a fun-filled day on the water.
But there’s more to The Floathouse than just equipment rentals. A dedicated group of volunteers organizes everything from beginning paddleboarding (SUP) classes and summer camps to full moon paddles and river races. In partnership with Sonoma County Tourism’s new collection of offerings called Signature Experiences, The Floathouse recently launched a guided kayak tour called “Paddle the Petaluma: Turn to the River.”
Floating along with an assortment of laminated, black-and-white historical photographs, Hohle demonstrates how our relationship with the Petaluma River has evolved throughout the years. Whether it’s listening to a Coast Miwok elder’s compelling reading of wildlife observations made a century ago; learning that the Petaluma River was crucial to exporting wheat to England long before eggs floated down the waterway; or simply spotting a green heron pondering lunch — floating atop a kayak offers a unique opportunity to soak in the river’s past while appreciating its booming recreational revival.
Paddlers also glean some gee-whiz facts. Did you know Petaluma was home to the world’s first and only chicken pharmacy? Perhaps a more important detail — the Petaluma River isn’t actually a river. It’s a tidal slough.
You’ll spend about 90 minutes on the water, but don’t let that fool you into thinking this is a strenuous endeavour. It’s a gentle paddle on water that’s well-known as a safe and tranquil spot for first-timers to learn skills. All told, you’ll cover about two miles. The hardest part of the tour is getting into the kayak at the dock, but The Floathouse staff are pros at keeping guests dry and smiling. The “Paddle the Petaluma: Turn to the River” is being offered once or twice a month through September.
The Petaluma River stretches roughly 13 miles south from downtown Petaluma to the top of San Pablo Bay. On the tour, you never lose sight of downtown, but the experience just might inspire another day on the water.
“It’s your river. Come out and play,” said Hohle. “We will find something that makes you feel comfortable.”
As an added perk, guests on the “Paddle the Petaluma: Turn to the River” tour receive an assortment of discounts, good at local businesses including The Yoga Post, Grand Central Café and TAPS on the River beer garden and restaurant.
The Floathouse is currently open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with days expanding as we head into summer. However, events are also offered on weekdays and evenings, and group outings are available by appointment. Follow @thefloathousepetaluma on Instagram for the latest updates.
Sonoma County Signature Experiences
Wine may be what put Sonoma County on the map, but the Signature Experiences recently unveiled by Sonoma County Tourism are meant to showcase the diversity of our backyard. There are nine in total, and while they’re aimed at visitors, locals shouldn’t rule them out.
Along with paddling the Petaluma River, you can go foraging along the Sonoma Coast, sign up for hands-on experience in cheese making, or go behind the scenes to learn about animal care at Safari West private wildlife preserve.