Set 39 miles north of San Francisco on U.S. 101, Petaluma is the southernmost city in Sonoma County, with a lively, historic downtown and highly rated schools surrounded by wineries, mountain foothills and rolling pastures. “Petaluma’s the type of place where you can live on a farm and drive into the city,” says Summer Stubblefield, a Realtor with Compass specializing in Petaluma. “A lot of it’s become suburban over time, but you can still dabble with farms and enjoy the old downtown.” Founded in 1858 on the Petaluma River, this once tiny farm town had grown into a wealthy egg and dairy hub by the turn of the 20th century. Some of the city's earliest homes and buildings can still be found downtown, and multi-acre farms and lots sprawl along the outskirts.
Today, Petaluma is Sonoma County's second-largest city after Santa Rosa, and it consistently draws San Francisco commuters, retirees and families with young children. Petaluma Poultry and dairy producer Clover Stornetta Farms are headquartered here, and other major employers include Petaluma Valley Hospital, vegetarian food producer Amy's Kitchen, and Labcon, a designer and manufacturer of refillable, recyclable plastics. Also here is the center of the Petaluma Gap, a wind gap between coastal mountain ranges that creates an ideal wine-growing microclimate and keeps the city cool year-round.
Enjoy scenic views of the Petaluma River in Downtown Petaluma.
Petaluma is home to the famous food manufacturer Amy's Kitchen.
The Brainerd Jones District in Petaluma is known for its unique architecture.
Petaluma residents receive health care at the Petaluma Valley Hospital.
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Regional parks and open spaces abound
According to the Trust for Public Land, 98% of the city's residents live within a 10-minute walk of a public park, a significantly higher percentage than the national average. Of the city's 50 parks, 165-acre Shollenberger Park is the largest, with a network of trails through natural wetlands. The smaller Lucchesi Park features sports facilities, a pond and a senior center; every Tuesday, it hosts the East Side Farmers Market, with dozens of vendors and live music.
The Petaluma River flows through the center of the city, with public docks and marinas offering access points for sailboats, canoes and paddleboarders. Just outside the city center, Tolay Lake Regional Park’s grassy trails travel by scenic pastures, Helen Putnam Regional Park's steep hills offer great city views, and Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park’s centuries-old farmlands sit at the base of Sonoma Mountain.
Waterfront residents enjoy a run around nature at Shollenberger Park.
Helen Putnam Regional Park offers scenic open space in Petaluma.
Located on the east-side of town, Lucchesi Park is one of the busiest and most popular parks.
Explore the Petaluma Marsh in Petaluma and enjoy watching sailboats from the marina.
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Downtown Petaluma’s shops, restaurants and events
The literal and figurative center of the city, Downtown Petaluma stands out for its collection of farm-to-table restaurants, antique shops, fashion boutiques and independent bookstores set in low-rise Classic Revival buildings. Fine dining options range from Swedish to Italian, and the Mystic Theatre music venue, as well a handful of bars along the Petaluma River, add a splash of nightlife.
Downtown Petaluma also hosts a wide array of events throughout the year. In April, the Butter and Egg Days Parade and Festival fills downtown with parade floats and marching bands in honor of the city’s past as the “Egg Capitol of the World.” Come October, the All Hallow’s Art Fest decorates Downtown Petaluma with spooky papier mâché figurines, and monsters made from spun cotton.
Beyond downtown, the Highway 101 corridor is lined with shopping malls. East Washington Place has the only HomeGoods in Sonoma County, and areas like the Plaza North and Deer Creek Village offer a variety of big-box retail and grocery stores.
Downtown Petaluma is home to the Riverfront Revival, an exciting annual summer event.
Petaluma locals catch live shows at McNear's Mystic Theatre.
The Aqus Cafe is a hotspot in Downtown Petaluma.
Petaluma shoppers head to Home Goods nearby.
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Wineries and wildfires in Sonoma County
Petaluma is also known for the extensive list of wineries that surround it, enabled by the Petaluma Gap. “You’ve got the hillsides, cool air, and foggy mornings; this helps grapes grow thicker skin, giving them a much more powerful flavor,” explains David Collins, a Realtor with CENTURY 21 Epic Wine Country, who’s worked in the wine business for over 20 years. Wine tastings rooms along the Petaluma River invite locals to indulge in French and Italian varietals, and the vineyards along Stage Gulch Road offer tours of their scenic farmlands.
While the combination of these wineries and surrounding natural spaces are an area draw for Petaluma, they do leave the city susceptible to wildfires. In 2017, the Tubbs Fire burnt over 36,000 acres, taking with it over 3,000 homes and 22 lives; although the fire did not reach Petaluma, many evacuees from Santa Rosa and Calistoga found refuge in the city. According to the Petaluma Fire Department, only the city’s southwestern reaches are at a high risk for wildfires.
Highest rated district in Sonoma County
The Petaluma City Schools network is split into two districts. The Petaluma City Elementary School District earns a B-plus on Niche and serves less than 1,500 students. The Petaluma Joint Union High School District scores an A and is ranked the No. 1 district in Sonoma County. A-minus-rated Petaluma High features the Petaluma Wildlife Museum, the country's largest student-run museum, and is ranked among the top 10 high schools in Sonoma County.
McNear Elementary School in Petaluma offers excellent teachers and staff.
Valley Vista Elementary School offers a community garden experience for Petaluma students..
Petaluma Junior High School provides education in the city of Petaluma.
Your kids will enjoy learning in the inspiring atmosphere of Petaluma High School.
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Historic bungalows and newer ranch-style homes across Petaluma
As of late 2024, the median home price in Petaluma is approximately $930,000, higher than the California median of $820,000 and the national median of $420,000. “The prices are driven by Petaluma being the furthest south you can be in Sonoma County,” explains Bouffier Group Broker Joshua Bouffier. The Sonoma County city of Santa Rosa is about 18 miles north, with a median price of $750,000.
The Petaluma River splits the city’s neighborhoods into distinct eastern and western halves. “West Petaluma was the original homestead, so you tend to see historic Queen Annes and Craftsman homes there,” explains Denise Lucchesi, a Petaluma local and Realtor at Century 21 Epic, “but East Petaluma was developed in the 1960s and ‘70s with the idea of larger families and floor plans in mind.” Midcentury ranch- and cottage-style homes are common in East Petaluma; both styles range between $600,000 and $1 million, depending on size and proximity to the mountains. In West Petaluma, Craftsman bungalows, Victorian Stick homes and Queen Annes from the late 19th and early 20th centuries are prevalent; all styles generally range between $750,000 and $1.4 million, with larger, better-preserved homes fetching higher prices. New Traditional homes from the 2000s and beyond are also scattered about the city; these often range between $850,000 and $1.2 million based on size, but larger mansions in this style can go for over $2 million.
The newer homes in Petaluma tend to be modern versions of Spanish-style and Craftsman homes.
Petaluma offers new contemporary Spanish influenced homes.
Mid-size Ranch homes date from the 1960s and ‘70s in Petaluma.
Petaluma has several townhouses to choose from.
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Multiple routes to San Francisco
Highway 101 (known locally as the 101) runs through the center of Petaluma, leading 39 miles south to San Francisco, and heavy with traffic in the mornings and evenings. Folks can skip this traffic by taking Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART), which travels from downtown to the Larkspur Ferry. Clearly marked crosswalks, broad bike lanes and off-street trails make Petaluma’s downtown areas pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly, but most residents rely on cars to get around. The small Petaluma Municipal Airport sits on the city's eastern edge, while the much larger San Franciso International Airport (SFO) is 51 miles south; Groome Transportation buses travel from Petaluma to SFO.
Relatively low crime rates on the rise
According to FBI data, Petaluma’s property crime rate in 2023 was 12 reported incidents per 1,000 people, compared to the national average of 18. In the same year, Petaluma’s violent crime rate was 3 reported incidents per 1,000 people, compared to the national rate of 4. In its 2023 Annual Report, the Petaluma Police Department found that violent crime had grown by 13% and property crime by 2% between 2022 and 2023.
Edward has always been fascinated with architecture and architecture and Real Estate go together. He loves to help people achieve their homeownership dream. No matter what their needs and wants in a home may be, he strives to get results. Together anything is possible. Born and raised in Sonoma County, at the age of 18 Edward left to serve in the Military for several years with the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Five. This is where his appreciation of architecture grew. After leaving the Military, Edward started a construction career as an interior finisher for 25 years in the San Francisco Bay Area. This background in construction has been very beneficial for his career in Real Estate. Edward met his Broker and became fast friends right away. Keller Williams Realty provides him with the tools needed to grow his career with an ever-changing market, allowing him to help his clients achieve the dream of home ownership. When recharging, Edward is a world traveler. When staying locally, he enjoys camping, hiking, swimming, nature, kayaking, and giving back to his community through service.
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