Welcome to Petaluma
Population 61,917 approximate
Just an hour north of San Francisco and Ideally situated along a serene stretch of the Petaluma River, you’ll discover picturesque Petaluma. With rolling farmlands and rugged coast Petaluma is the perfect combination of hometown USA and sophisticated Wine Country.
Petaluma’s historic downtown area is a throw-back to the early 1800s, as many of Petaluma’s original buildings still line the streets and remain full of life. Stately banks, towering brick mills, and rustic feed stores now house boutique clothing shops, gift stores, and antique shops. The iron-front buildings are now home to great restaurants, art galleries, and a wide range of lively pubs and music venues.
Outdoor enthusiasts visit Petaluma year-round for both road and mountain cycling tours, hiking along the gorgeous Sonoma Coast, and paddle board races on the Petaluma River. The outdoor adventures in Sonoma County are endless, and there’s no better base camp than Petaluma.
Petaluma Neighborhoods
Adobe: Quiet and friendly, Adobe features homes, parks and recreation areas, including the historic Rancho Adobe State Park. Active vineyards and farms display Petaluma’s agricultural heritage, while providing vistas that stretch east to Sonoma Valley.
Oakhill Brewster: Tree-lined streets and heritage homes make Oakhill Brewster a living homage to Petaluma’s past. Original Victorian, Queen Anne, and Craftsman homes overlook Petaluma’s Historic Downtown and the Sonoma Valley beyond.
Western: This is Petaluma’s Park Place. Historic mansions and restored Victorians lead the way to newer subdivisions and generous open space on the west end of town.
Downtown: A living, breathing American Main Street. Circa 1870’s iron fronts, riverfront warehouses, and a mill have been repurposed to sell kitchenware, clothing, books, antiques, art, entertainment and delicious food. Mini districts such as Kentucky Street, Petaluma Boulevard, American Alley, Warehouse District and Theatre District thrive along the walkable streets and vintage buildings.
College: Family homes and quiet trails meet college town in this neighborhood on Petaluma’s East Side. Spacious homes in planned developments are flanked by a hospital and medical offices, several shopping centers, and the Petaluma Campus of Santa Rosa Junior College. Bike and pedestrian trails link the neighborhood’s north and south ends.
Waterfront: Enjoy open space on the river. This mixed-use district on the southeast and southwest of town surrounds marshlands, the river and dedicated open spaces for easily-accessed hikes and bike rides. Commercial space runs the gamut, from gritty industrial sites to polished office parks, rehabbed warehouses to recently built office condos.
Midtown Mid-Century modern and 21st-century modern converge in this slice of town that connects the Downtown, Oakhill Brewster, Waterfront, College and Adobe districts. Compact homes from 1950s are tucked away on both sides of the East Washington commercial corridor.
The Petaluma School district, which includes 8 elementary schools, has several top-rated schools measured on academic performance and equity. Many Petaluma students attend either Petaluma High School or Casa Grande High School.
