Let's cruise to Petaluma!
For a weekend of fun, butter and eggs, and some great antique cruising, come join us for TYC's annual cruise up the beautiful (and recently dredged) Petaluma River to historic downtown Petaluma and the docks at the Turning Basin.
Cruise Captain for Petaluma is Walt Bilofsky.
Friday we'll make our way up to the top of the bay, then enter the lazy (and recently dredged to 8 feet depth below MLLW) Petaluma River for a relaxing (well, except for that threatening artillery piece Walt photographed last year!) cruise to the Petaluma turning basin, about 11 nm. As we approach Petaluma we'll pass under a couple of bridges that need opening, so we'll make reservations accordingly to ensure we are there on time to pass through.
A special invite to sailors: if you are a sailor with a keel that can handle 8' now would be the time to come along with the power fleet to explore the interesting antique shops, intriguing boutiques, tasty restaurants, and mmm-licious wine and beer houses that make Petaluma one of the most cruised-to destinations on the Bay. Sign up here.
We'll plan to leave the Cay late morning to catch the flood at Petaluma River Entrance which runs in the afternoon on Friday. This should help us avoid the wind against ebb which can cause rough going in the shallows around the approach channel.
One large obstacle stands between us and our nice, comfortable docking spaces, and that's the D-Street Bridge, located just before the Turning Basin. This normally-closed bridge requires at least 4 hours notice to open, and they don't like to open it multiple times for boats that are travelling together. So we need to arrive and pass under the bridge as a group. I am scheduling an opening for 4PM on Friday.
As we arrive at the turning basin we'll need to each stern-in the the long dock. Some details about the dock:
- Docks have security. The code is 425.
- Docks have electricity - 30AMPs - 9 boxes with 4 outlets each.
- Docks have water.
- Dock fee is $32/night, payable at boxes on the dock. Honor system, leave check or cash.
Friday night we'll gather for dinner at a local waterfront restaurant, maybe the nearby Peruvian restaurant Ayawaska RestoBar that was so yummy last year.
Saturday night we'll be welcomed by our friends at Petaluma Yacht Club with a special dinner at their club, joined by Richmond Yacht Club and Vallejo Yacht Club. You'll need to indicate when you sign up if you intend to come to the PYC dinner, and how many.
But the real deal is the Butter and Egg Days Parade and Festival which takes place at noon Saturday along Kentucky Street (a 5 minute walk from our dock). We'll see flocks of cute (little) chicks walking, pushed in strollers, on floats, and in basically all forms of farm equipment. It's a hoot (or cluck!) And there's more, like cow chip tossing, pancake eating, and the highlight of the day, not to be missed, is the Cutest Little Chick contest.
And don't forget the world-class antique shops just minutes from the dock, and some of the best food in Sonoma just behind our boats. Last year some of us walked over to Sonoma Portworks, a unique winery specializing in port made from local Sonoma grown grapes.
On Sunday morning we'll have a chance to visit one of Sonoma's best bake shops, Della Fattoria!, and bring some some tasty pastries and breads for a dockside breakfast potluck. After breakfast there's still time for some excellent antiquing along Kentucky and adjacent streets.
Later Sunday morning we'll have to return downriver, so we'll need to leave the dock late morning to make the trip back down the bay on an easy ebb.
Hope to see you on the water!
List of registrants