Petaluma

Welcome to Petaluma

Petaluma, CA is located in the center of it all. Close to San Francisco, and close to the country, Petaluma is 32 miles above the Golden Gate Bridge. Petaluma is ranked by Niche.com as the #1 Place to Live in Sonoma County. The city was settled in the mid-1800s and incorporated in 1858. Its population was 59,776 according to the 2020 census. Petaluma's name comes from the Petaluma River.

Activities within an hour's drive are abundant. Day trips to Sonoma and Napa county wineries, Pt. Reyes National Seashore, the giant redwoods, and many other popular destinations. Farm-to-table restaurants are particularly plentiful in a city that is rich in agriculture and country charm. Affordable lodging options give families a financial break so they can drive into San Francisco for the day and not pay huge prices for lodging. 

Petaluma’s real estate collection includes many wonderful heritage homes dating back to the 1930's. Other housing options include everything from contemporary apartments on the waterfront to acreage ranches within a few minutes of downtown.

Some of the most popular local winemakers include Adobe Road Winery, Black Knight Vineyards, Sonoma Portworks, and Keller Estate Wineries. Many of these wineries have been in business for well over a century. Petaluma’s rich winemaking heritage was recognized in 2017 with the formal designation of the Petaluma Gap American Viticultural Area. Petaluma’s industry was once known for chicken farming but has since grown to include many notable businesses including; Amy’s Kitchen, Calix, CamelBak, Clover Stornetta Farms, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Petaluma Poultry, Athleta Inc. and TWiT.tv.

Theater Square is the epicenter of Petaluma’s theater district. Mystic Theater originally opened as a vaudeville theater in 1911 but now serves primarily as a live music venue. The Phoenix Theatre first opened as an opera house in 1905 but has served as a live music performance space since the 1980s. Bands such as Metallica, Green Day, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers played shows here on their rise to fame.

The water is more your thing? Petaluma is the ideal choice for a water weekend getaway. Cruise up the Petaluma River, dock at the Turning Basin, and you will be right in the heart of historic downtown Petaluma. The downtown of Petaluma has a main street that cuts through the town. Incredible restaurants, antique and art galleries, live music, and movies are all within walking distance.

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