Petaluma River Cruise

deltabighat

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Aug 17, 2004
RO Number
14904
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We had a marvelous cruise up the Petaluma River this weekend. Thanks to all on this board who gave me ideas and information. We put in at the Pittsburg Marina Friday afternoon. Went up river to Humphreys for a cocktail and appetizers. We got on the boat again and cruised down river and decided to go all the way to Benica for the night. Had a great dinner in Benica, spent the night on the boat in the marina and headed out on Sat in time for high tide on the bays. Cruised all the way to light ten on San Pablo Bay, hung a right on a 280 degree course and after a nice ride, picked up the Petaluma channel markers and went right in. Plenty of water under the boat the whole time, in the 13 to 18 foot range. Got to the D St bridge in town which we couldn't get under. We called the bridge tender and left him a message. Then we noticed to the left of the bridge was an opening we could get through. We shut the engine off, raised the outdrive and "walked" the boat thru by hand. A little awkward but we got under it. We loved Petaluma and the downtown, had several great meals and pulled out Sunday morning. The tide was up so we called Dennis the bridge tender again and he came right down and opened the bridge for us. The Petaluma River was a bit lumpy going back on Sunday and so was the San Pablo Bay, but nothing of worry. All in all a great trip and one I would recommend to anyone. I had never been to Petaluma before but I loved the place and will go back. The sign on the downtown bridge sais we could not go further up river past the town because we were over 18 ft in length. Anyone know where that rivef goes and how far you can go with a smaller boat?

DBH
 
There's not much of anything upstream of the turning basin. If you've ever been to the Petaluma Village Premium Outlet Mall, you crossed a small bridge over a creek on the way in. That's the Petaluma River about two miles up from the pedestrian bridge.

BTG
 
Funny though they call it the Petaluma river it should really be called the Petaluma slough, its not like the thing is moving and has a constant flow of water like other rivers..
 
Forgot to mention that we saw no damage at all to either two railroad bridges that are open all the time. I did see the enormous sand barge that maybe was involved but nothing unusual about the bridges.

DBH
 
Thanks for the info of your trip! As I sit here with 4 inches of snow outside, I dream of boating weather coming soon!!!!
 
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