Educational Programs
Petaluma Adobe SHP Educational Programs
Environmental Studies Program
Where You Add the Ingredients that Makes History Come Alive!
Experience Rancho California from 1836 – 1848! Californios and Native Americans both experienced huge changes in their lives during this turbulent period of California history. Now your students can bring history to life through working, eating, and recreating this time-period in order to gain a deeper understanding of California history.
Students first develop their historical understanding of the site through a virtual tour of the Petaluma Adobe SHP with experienced park staff via PORTS (view PORTS website). Then when students come to park, they will find themselves immersed in the life, production practices, and recreation of one of the largest remaining Ranchos of the period: Mariano Vallejo’s Petaluma Adobe.
Cooking traditional foods of early California, basket making, candle making, wool spinning and weaving, carpentry, and leatherwork are samples of the activities children will experience. They will work in the Adobe’s production areas and live the adventure of this historic period. Your students will leave this encounter at the Petaluma Adobe with a deeper historical understanding of the site in spirit, mind, and body.
The program is one of the least expensive in California – only $250.00 for all your program materials (except your food (required), leather for your leather project, and wood for your carpentry project). PORTS offers a generous scholarship program. We also offer yearly teacher trainings to help you prepare.
We invite you to time-travel with us back to a time where vaqueros wore spurs and brightly colored silk sashes, women were known for their horsemanship and expertise, and children’s work was necessary for survival.
Click here to learn more about our Environmental Studies Program.
Essential Program Information
View ESP Scholarship Application
School Tours
Visit the largest privately owned Mexican Rancho in California!
Are you looking to book your next field trip? The Petaluma Adobe SHP is ready to guide your classroom through the halls of history!
The School Tour program at the Petaluma Adobe SHP is a great way for students to explore California history. Our tours are compliant with 4th grade social studies curriculum and are approximately 45 minutes long. Knowledgeable park staff are eager to bring your students through a curated, engaging, and educational experience that can only be found at the Petaluma Adobe SHP.
We hope to see your classroom here soon!
Essential Program Information
To make a reservation, please call Reserve California at 1-866-240-4655.
Click here to learn more about our School Tour Program.
PORTS On-Demand
See the Petaluma Adobe from the comfort of your classroom!
Can't come to the park in-person? Learn more about the Petaluma Adobe virtually over PORTS, powered by Zoom (view PORTS website). Knowledgeable park staff will share important dates, identify key figures, and reveal the events that led to the creation and closure of the historic rancho. This program follows California's History-Social Science Standards for Grade 4.
Length of Program
The average program takes about 45 minutes.
Group Size
PORTS is a virtual program, therefore the group size is dependant on the amount of technology and space available to your school. This program works best with the classroom projecting the program on a screen from a single device.
Availability
Please go to the Petaluma Adobe SHP PORTS page and check our availability for fall 2025 and spring 2026.
Pricing
This program is offered at no cost.