Brewsters Beer Garden takes up a whole block in downtown Petaluma’s historic district, and it feels like the kind of place that was designed to stretch out in. The open-air setup gives you over 350 seats to choose from, whether you want to settle in near the fire pit, grab a spot by the bocce court, or stake out a table where you can catch the live music stage. Large heat lamps keep things comfortable on cooler evenings, which matters when you’re sitting outside with your dog in Sonoma County.

The food leans heavily on Carolina BBQ technique but gets filtered through California sensibilities—they source from local Petaluma ranchers and producers and aren’t afraid of bold flavors. It’s refined enough that you won’t feel like you’re just grabbing quick bites, but casual enough that nobody minds if your dog settles under the table while you eat.

What really sets Brewsters apart is how seriously they take the drinking side. There are over 30 rotating local craft beers on draft, plus solid selections from Sonoma and Napa wineries if beer isn’t your thing, and a full bar for cocktails and spirits. It’s genuinely a spot where the beer program feels like part of the experience, not an afterthought.

The space is laid back in a way that makes sense for a place that welcomes kids and dogs equally. There’s a children’s playground if you’re bringing human family members, and the general vibe is more about people having a good time together than maintaining any kind of stuffy atmosphere. The combination of good food, rotating beer selection, and actual things to do while you’re there—bocce, live music, space to move around—means you’re not just eating; you’re spending an afternoon or evening.