This weekend in Petaluma, CA

Catch a high-energy lineup of local racing at Petaluma Speedway, featuring Wingless Sprints, BCRA Midgets, Hobby Stocks, and Mini Stocks. It’s an outdoor motorsports event, so plan to check the official source for gate, seating, and weather details.

At Sonoma Garden Park, browse organic produce, fresh flowers, and vegetable starts grown in a 6.1 acre sustainable garden. You can also find olive oil, honey, and farm fresh eggs sourced from local Sonoma neighbors. Credit cards and Apple Pay are accepted, and bringing a reusable shopping bag is encouraged. Photo by Melania Mahoney.

Young golfers ages 7 to 13 can start their journey with a beginner clinic at Foxtail Golf Club. Instruction follows the Pathway Program from the US Kids Coaches Institute, guiding participants step by step in a way that keeps learning enjoyable and builds confidence. Sessions are taught by US Kids Golf Certified Coaches, providing a strong foundation and skills that encourage a lasting connection to the game. Please note that an additional processing fee of up to 5 percent will be added.

Gain confidence on a stand up paddleboard with a welcoming, two hour class set in the heart of downtown Petaluma. Designed for beginners and anyone who wants to feel steadier and more efficient on the water, this session focuses on paddling smarter. An ACA certified instructor leads a small group of two to six paddlers, offering personalized coaching and real time feedback for $60, and all equipment is included. The class covers how to stand and balance comfortably, use an efficient paddle stroke to go farther with less effort, turn and maneuver with control, launch and return to the dock, and build river awareness with essential safety basics. A calm, scenic stretch of the Petaluma River provides a supportive, no pressure setting where skills come together and paddling starts to feel easy and fun. Space is limited with a maximum of six participants. A minimum of three students is required. If there is only one student, the session may be offered as a private lesson for $95. Bring a friend or come solo and meet your new paddle crew. This is a beginner friendly experience.

Foxtail Golf Club is hosting a Beginner Junior Clinic for kids ages 7 to 14. The program follows the US Kids Player Pathway, starting at Level 1 with a hat, accomplishment pins, and a training booklet, then progressing through additional levels as kids move forward. Lessons are taught by US Kids Golf Certified Coaches, and the focus is on learning golf fundamentals while having fun.

Experience a guided paddle tour on the Petaluma River, a historic saltwater waterway that connects wetlands and city and has shaped Petaluma’s past, present, and future. The session includes all the gear, an experienced guide, and time on the water with post-paddle perks at local businesses.

Trace the story of the Petaluma River on a guided, beginner-friendly paddle that shines a light on its past, present, and future. Long before San Francisco blossomed into a major city and before rail lines or highways crisscrossed the region, this tidal waterway connected Sonoma County’s rich lands with the sea. During the Gold Rush and beyond, it carried food, supplies, and new ideas from this area to miners, merchants, and distant markets, helping shape California’s growth. Today, in Petaluma about 40 miles north of San Francisco, the river still influences daily life, recreation, and restoration efforts. Led by the knowledgeable Floathouse Petaluma crew, the outing unfolds over a relaxed two hours with about 90 minutes on the water. Stable kayaks, all gear, and expert guidance are provided. Along the route, the group pauses at points of interest such as towering grain elevators, quaint footbridges, stately Victorian architecture, and lively riverside cafes while sharing stories that span eras, from historic accounts to contemporary notes and a few personal tidbits. Discover how different generations have turned toward the river in response to social, economic, and environmental change, and consider how today’s choices may shape what lies ahead. This Sonoma County Signature Experience is priced at $75 per person, which includes all equipment, guided storytelling, and post-paddle perks at nearby local businesses. It offers more than a tour, inviting meaningful connection with place, people, and a living narrative still being written.

This Sonoma Valley back to school health fair focuses on helping students from PK or TK through 12th grade get ready for the year with health resources and preparation support. Backpacks with school supplies will be available, and students must be present to receive one. To arrange accessibility accommodations for students with special needs, please contact the organizers. For questions, call 707-939-6070 ext. 212 or email events@svchc.org.

Enjoy the Petaluma Farmers’ Market, a fun community gathering featuring local farms, tasty food, handcrafted goods, and live music. It’s a great place to connect with neighbors and browse a variety of local offerings.

Artist John Paul Morabito and Demetri Broxton, an artist and the Executive Director of Root Division, come together for a conversation focused on works from John Paul Morabito: Dancing in the Night. Pricing is $25 for SVMA Members and $30 for non-members. Registration must be completed online. Free museum admission is included.

Dry Creek Station brings a party vibe to Washoe House in Petaluma with a lively mix of country hits, classic rock, dance-ready tunes, and rich vocal harmonies. Start with dinner and drinks, then settle in for a full evening of live music and plenty of dancing. There is an extra reason to celebrate too, as it is guitarist Spencer’s birthday.

KC Turner Presents The Beat Farmers at the HopMonk Novato Session Room, with the Nathan Raney Band also on the bill. The music spans western flavors, offbeat ballads, hard-driving rockabilly, gritty blues, and lively boogie-woogie. From 1983 to 1995, Country Dick Montana, Jerry Raney, Joey Harris, and Rolle Love delivered a live show that fused music with mayhem and big stage presence. They are now back onstage. This is a mostly standing show and is for ages 21 and over.

Ghost Ocean and What's Wrong are performing live at The Phoenix Theater. The show starts at 8:00 PM.

Catch a high-energy nu-metal and alt-rock night at Barrel Proof Lounge featuring the Pimp Bizkit tribute band, celebrating Limp Bizkit. The lineup also includes Turn of the Century, bringing ’80s to ’00s party rock favorites live on stage. Doors are at 8:30 PM, with the show starting at 9:00 PM. There’s also free popcorn, $20 tickets, and limited seating, plus a VIP table option for groups of 4 (limited availability). This event is for ages 21 and up.

Join a guided kayak tour on the Petaluma River, exploring its past, present, and future. The experience highlights the historic “saltwater highway” that shaped Petaluma and continues to connect wetlands and city life. Gear and an experienced guide are included, and you’ll also get post-paddle perks at local businesses.

Hop on a kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard and explore the Petaluma River through Friends’ Boating at the Barn program. Life jackets are available for toddlers through adults, so families can get out and enjoy the river together. The program runs as an all-volunteer operation and welcomes donations, with volunteers also needed on Sundays.

The Cruisin’ Hooters series returns in 2026, presented by Cruisin’ North Car Club, Inc. Classic vehicles from 1986 and earlier, all makes, are the focus of this monthly cruise-in that runs from June through November. At each gathering except the December edition, Hooters selects a Best of Show. Please avoid parking in front of nearby businesses such as Mattress Firm. Hooters offers a meal deal reserved for participants showing a vehicle and for those who purchase raffle tickets. Options include a half pound bacon cheeseburger, eight boneless wings, a chicken sandwich, three tenders, eight fried shrimp, or a garden chicken salad, with curly fries included except with the salad. Menu items and pricing may change. December features a Toys for Tots collection, and attendees are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy. If rain is in the forecast, donations can be dropped off using a daily driver, and there is no raffle in December.

Enjoy a live outdoor music performance featuring Marty O'Reilly at Ragle Ranch Park. The show starts at 12:30 PM on Sunday during the Aug 9 events.

Music in Place and the City of Sonoma present a summer Sonoma Sundays On the Plaza concert at the Sonoma Plaza Grinstead Amphitheater. The program features Tim Weed, a Grammy-nominated concert musician, composer, producer, recording engineer, and recording artist known for expressive 5-string banjo work, strong songwriting, and soaring vocals, alongside The Dorian Mode. This Petaluma-based acoustic quartet, led by vocalist and bassist Dorian Bartley with Robby Elfman on piano and clarinet, Peter Graves on sax, and Tony Blake on drums, celebrates the Great American Songbook with vintage jazz, up-tempo R&B, and soulful ballads that evoke 1920s speakeasies, 1930s big-band swing, 1940s jump blues, and the lively R&B associated with Ruth Brown. The series is free and open to everyone thanks to support from the Sonoma Community Center, The Dawn Redwoods Trust, and the McNeely Family Foundation.

KC Turner presents a matinee with The Rubinoos in the HopMonk Novato Session Room. This partially seated show welcomes all ages. Formed by longtime friends Jon Rubin and Tommy Dunbar, the Berkeley based band began performing as teenagers and signed to Beserkley Records alongside Jonathan Richman and Greg Kihn. Their 1977 debut album brought national attention, and they went on to make records with Todd Rundgren, Kevin Gilbert, and Chuck Prophet. The Rubinoos have shared stages with Elvis Costello and Tom Petty, appeared on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, and recorded the theme for Revenge of the Nerds. Their version of I Think We’re Alone Now introduced the third season of the Netflix series Sex Education. Now signed to Yep Roc Records, they perform regularly in Japan, Europe, and at festivals and clubs across the United States.

Enjoy tabletop gaming at the downtown Round Table Pizza in Petaluma, located next to Goblin Bros Petaluma. The setting is generally quiet, which makes it an inviting place to play. A broad selection spans approachable games for all ages as well as more advanced strategy titles, so there is always something engaging on the table. Participants are happy to teach rules and help anyone explore something new. Compared with the Friday game nights, this meetup allows for longer play sessions and the chance to dive into Euro style games.