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Expanding Access on the Petaluma River

We often find ourselves lamenting the loss of waterfront access due to condo development and other coastal development pressures. At the same time, we find numerous examples of people who are re-opening waterways and expanding access in areas that are reawakening from industrial use, or were just left languishing for years. Sailor Marceline Therrien wrote us a while back to ask if The Floathouse, on the recently dredged Petaluma River and turning basin, was on our radar. It was not, but it does look like a great addition to the Petaluma waterfront and a great first step for many who want to get onto the water. Of course, the basin is also home to the Petaluma Yacht Club and a great destination for Bay Area cruisers.

The Floathouse Petaluma
The Floathouse in the Petaluma turning basin is providing new water access to the community.
© 2021 The Floathouse

In addition, we do get regular emails from Friends of the Petaluma River, who work to provide conservation, stewardship, and access to the watershed.

Petaluma downtown docks
This is a shot of a Club Nautique Petaluma cruise-out from several years ago.
© 2021 Ron Witel

The good work in Petaluma adds to our recent stories, including our current issue with a story on a pier proposal spearheaded by Doug Morris in San Luis Obispo, and coverage of efforts by the South Bay Yacht Club to clear old docks and improve Alviso Slough. The combined efforts of all these organizations and individuals is helping more people find their way onto the Bay.

1 Comment

  1. Maggie Hohle 2 years ago

    Thank you for mentioning our work in Petaluma! We enjoyed hosting BYO Picnic guests on The Floathouse docks this weekend–for the first time–at Petaluma’s Lighted Boat Parade, hosted by the Petaluma Yacht Club. We hope to be open this spring for visitors who wish to rent all manner of small craft, from Whitehall rowing boats to El Toro and FJ sailboats to Hydrobikes to SUPs. Thanks for your support!

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Wisdoms of Age
Against all of our youthful instincts, wisdom prevailed and the decision was made to head up to Potato Slough in the Delta the next morning.