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Transportation and Accommodations

Transportation. If flying in, airports in the Bay Area you may want to consider include Santa Rosa, Sacramento, San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose.

Accommodations. The Mad Robin committee is pleased to offer discounted rates at one of the most attractive and inexpensive motels in the Petaluma area: the Quality Inn of Petaluma-Sonoma at 5100 Montero Way. It’s in a very pleasant suburban setting only 11 minutes from the Hermann Sons Hall, and offers:

a variety of spacious rooms and beds from which to choose
flexible check-in and check-out dates
full hot and cold breakfast included
free Wi-Fi, fitness center, full-size swimming pool
free cancellation if necessary

A link to make your discounted reservation online will appear on the confirmation page that appears once you submit your online registration form. If you register by mail or lose the link, contact Rosemary Murphree for the link. You can change the default check-in and check-out dates, and choose your type of room. The prices shown reflect the discount. To extend your stay beyond the default dates or for questions, call the front desk at (707) 664-1155 and press 2 for the “front desk” (do not press 1 for “reservations”– you’ll be sent to Arizona!).

NOTE: the Ball is on the same weekend as the Sonoma State University commencement, and many lodgings are already sold out! The Inn is holding our rooms until April 18, at which time they will be released to the public and the discount will become unavailable. Be sure to book your room as soon as you can.

Things to Do and See

The Mad Robin Ball Weekend will be held (mostly) in the small town of Petaluma set in the verdant Sonoma County countryside. Mid-May is one of our favorite times of year, shortly after the winter rains have ended, when hillsides remain a lush green and wildflowers are blooming. Dancers traveling from near and distant lands are encouraged to explore the surrounding area on Friday, Monday and Tuesday.

Below are some ideas for places to visit and things to do outside of dancing. For those who register, we will provide more details to guide you as well as opportunities to sign up for organized activities with other dancers.

Sonoma and Marin Counties

Farm to Table Tastings and Tours

Marin County Coast
McEvoy Olive Ranch

Winery tours and tastings

Wine tour by commercial tour outfit
Peralta
Sonoma Wine Rides

Self-guided wine tours:
Three Stix
Merry Edwards
DRNK
Iron Horse Sparkling Wines

Wine with Gardens
Lynmar Winery
Kendall Jackson

Get out in nature

Hiking

Coast hikes
Pole Mountain
Armstrong Redwoods – near the Russian River, beats the crowded Muir Woods
Sonoma Overlook Trail
San Francisco Presidio
Bodega Marine Laboratory – Friday afternoon lab tours

Nature and Adventure Tours

Safari West near Santa Rosa
Sonoma Zipline Adventures in Occidental

Kayaking

Consider a day paddle on Tomales Bay with Tomales Bay Expeditions or on San Francisco Bay with Sea Trek.

Bicycling

Bicycling Sonoma County

Or, just relax!

Spas

Art – Over 100 galleries and museums

Sonoma County

Charles Shultz Museum Santa Rosa
Public Art Installations

San Francisco:

De Young/ Legion of Honor
California Academy of Sciences
SF MOMA
Asian Art Museum
Top 50 list

Purveyors of brunch items

Petaluma Market
210 Western Avenue, Petaluma
(707) 762-5464
Open daily 7AM – 9PM

Whole Foods
621 E Washington Street, Petaluma
(707) 762-9352
Open daily 8AM – 9PM

Trader Joe’s
169 N McDowell Boulevard, Petaluma
(707) 769-2782
Open daily 8AM – 9PM

Sprouts
401 Kenilworth Drive, Suite 1040, Petaluma
Open daily 7AM – 10PM

La Chulada Market
1420 S McDowell Boulevard, Petaluma
(707) 769-1259

Sunrise Donuts (on Doordash)
River Plaza
68 E Washington Street, Petaluma
(707) 762-6601
Open daily 5AM – 2PM

The Bagel Mill
212 Western Avenue, Petaluma
Open daily 8AM – 2PM

Petaluma Restaurants

Reservations recommended:

Seared (Local steak, seafood and veggies)
170 Petaluma Boulevard North
(707) 762-5997

Risibisi (Italian)
154 Petaluma Boulevard North
(707) 766-7600

Cucina Paradiso (Authentic Italian)
114 Petaluma Boulevard North
(707) 782-1130

Central Market (California/Italian)
42 Petaluma Boulevard North
(707) 778-9900

Wild Goat Bistro (Pizza and small plates)
6 Petaluma Boulevard North #A5 (Old Mill)
(707) 658-1156

Sugo (Simple American/Italian)
5B Petaluma Boulevard South
(707) 782-9298

Stockholm (Swedish/California)
220 Western Avenue
(707) 981-8511

The Shuckery (Oyster Bar and seafood)
100 Washington Street
(707) 981-7891

Reservations not required:

Everest (Nepalese)
56 E Washington
(707) 781-9131

Lemongrass Thai
109 N McDowell Boulevard
(707) 789-9777

Mi Pueblo El Centro (Traditional Mexican Tacqueria)
108 Kentucky Street
(707) 769-9053

Quiote (Mexican Fusion)
121 Kentucky Street

Real Doner (Turkish Kebab House)
307 F Street
(707) 765-9555

McNears (Pub food)
23 Petaluma Boulevard North
(707) 765-2121

Old Chicago (Pizza)
41 Petaluma Boulevard North
(707) 763-3897

Question or comment about Mad Robin Ball? Contact Rosemary Murphree