59,403
Population
Sunny Days: 260
90100 Affordability
95100 Schools
70100 Diversity
90100 Safety
Living in Petaluma, California
Chickaluma
Petaluma, Credit: StoragePro
Downtown Petaluma, Credit: Wine Spectator
Downtown Play, Credit: Courtesy of Sonoma Magazine
Theater District
LookyLOO Review of Petaluma
Small-Town Vibe
Petaluma sparks love among locals primarily because of the old-school, small-town, made-in-America vibe. You’re nestled in the rolling hills of Sonoma County, and that beauty is impossible to ignore, but it’s more about how much you can slow down in Petaluma and just enjoy walking around a vibrant but chill downtown.
Some of the vibe comes from the beautiful 1800's Victorian-era architecture that fills downtown. Some of it comes from the great farm-to-table food scene, amazing local wine at the bars & restaurants (of course), and the cafes and artisanal food markets that give it an intimate feeling. Countless community events and festivals round out the family-friendly spirit that pulls in plenty of people escaping the chaos of larger West Coast cities.
Lifestyle in Petaluma
Chill
While there is a small young professional community in Petaluma, it pales in comparison to the family-focused scene that dominates the city. There is an active downtown that pulls in locals/families for food, drink, and play, but you also have a mix of suburban and rural living that tightly surrounds the central city and drives who the city serves.
The agricultural heritage of Petaluma and Sonoma County is also a powerful influence, with dairy farms, ranches, and vineyards filling the surrounding countryside. This fresh local access to produce drives an outsized foodie scene, stunning high-quality farmers’ markets, and some of the world’s best wines, a short drive away. Outside of that, expect tons of family-friendly activities, the local baseball team has done well in the Little League World Series, and there are more soccer and other sports than a family could want for their kiddos. There is an art gallery community here as well, but even more notably, families, couples, and singles spend much more time enjoying the parks, rolling hills, and easy access to the Pacific Ocean for an outdoor lifestyle that is tough to beat. World-class biking, hiking, and just strolling are always available – as is surfing, paddle-boarding, and beach lounging.
All of these lifestyle options are why Petaluma is featured in the LookyLOO Guide to the Best Main Street USA cities in the U.S..
To see what locals do for fun, check out the Petaluma Calendar of Events.
We highly recommend visiting Petaluma and staying in the community in a VRBO rather than a hotel to get a feel for living among the locals. You can also receive discounted travel fares via our partnership with Expedia.
Lagunitas Brewing
Worklife in Petaluma
Petaluma’s job market is shaped by a mix of food and beverage manufacturing, healthcare, education, creative services, and small professional firms. It also has a large remote-work population tied to Bay Area employers.
The main work sectors include:
- Food & Beverage Manufacturing — Lagunitas Brewing, Clover Sonoma, Petaluma Poultry, and other local producers.
- Healthcare — Petaluma Valley Hospital and regional outpatient networks.
- Education — Petaluma City Schools and Santa Rosa Junior College’s Petaluma campus.
- Professional & Creative Services — design studios, architecture firms, marketing agencies, and boutique tech.
- Agriculture & Sustainability — local farms, CSA programs, and artisan producers.
- Retail & Hospitality — restaurants, cafés, and independent shops concentrated downtown.
Petaluma’s job base is a blend of mid-size companies and local institutions. The bigger story is its hybrid and remote-worker population. A large share of residents work for companies based in San Francisco, Marin, Oakland, Emeryville, or the Peninsula while living in Petaluma for space, schools, and a calmer day-to-day life.
Many people commute south toward Marin a couple of days a week (usually 25–35 minutes), while those with SF hybrid jobs plan for 45–60 minutes depending on traffic. Inside the city, commutes are short and predictable. Coworking spaces, home offices, and Petaluma’s strong café culture support remote work. It’s common to find professionals splitting their week between home, downtown coworking, and occasional trips to Bay Area headquarters.
The overall worklife rhythm here is quieter and more manageable than the core Bay Area, with solid local jobs and strong support for remote and hybrid roles.
Petaluma High School
Schools in Petaluma
Petaluma is served by two public districts plus several popular charter and private options:
- Petaluma City Schools (PCS) – covers most central neighborhoods
- Petaluma Joint Union High School District (PJUHSD) – oversees the high schools
Both districts offer a mix of traditional neighborhood schools, well-known specialized programs, strong charters, popular alternative programs (especially Montessori and arts-focused), and two well-regarded high schools. Families often choose neighborhoods based on proximity to Grant, McNear, Cherry Valley, or the west-side high school pathways.
Elementary Schools (Notable + Niche-Style Ratings)
-Valley Vista Elementary — A-; steady performance, strong parent involvement.
-Grant Elementary — A; small school feel, walkable west-side location.
-McNear Elementary — B+; arts integration program, good community reputation.
-Cherry Valley Elementary (Waldorf-inspired) — alternative curriculum, high demand.
Middle Schools
-Kenilworth Junior High — solid academics; located near eastern neighborhoods.
-Petaluma Junior High — walkable west-side campus serving many historic neighborhoods.
High Schools
-Petaluma High School — A-; strong STEM, robotics, and FFA programs.
-Casa Grande High School — B+; larger campus; strong music and AP offerings.
-San Antonio High School — continuation/alternative program.
Charter & Magnet Options
-River Montessori Charter School — K–6, Montessori-based curriculum.
-Mary Collins School at Cherry Valley — project-based K–8; hybrid neighborhood/choice model.
-Sonoma Mountain Charter (nearby) — small, high-demand K–6 program.
Private Schools
-St. Vincent de Paul (K–12) — long-standing Catholic school with small class sizes.
-Cinnabar School of Performing Arts (charter/private hybrid arts model that is not a formal school but a program offere by Cinnabar Theater) — known locally, limited seats.
Why You Should Move Here Now?
The Lifestyle
Petaluma is a poster child for a work-from-home paradise. You have the Pacific and breathtaking landscapes to the west, a world-class city to the south, and one of the truly wonderful small-town downtowns in America (it’s won awards). If you’ve got the bucks and want the lifestyle, check it out.
Reviews of Petaluma from Locals
Danisdaman12
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉
Yo! I actually might have the best answer for you. I'm 27, grew up in Petaluma, went to college in Santa Cruz, them moved back here after school.
Petaluma is a lot of fun in your 20s. It's not as much fun as San Francisco though. I lived there 25-26 and enjoyed it but here is much nicer.
It's quiet but also has a great bar scene. Lots of fun breweries and the pool hall is awesome. The food around here is also really good, we have had a lot of great spots come and go but the big names here like brewsters, lagunitas, seared, mcnears, etc are really nice and full of lively people.
The Phoenix and Mystic have fun concerts now and then but don't expect big acts.
45 minute drive and you are in the heart of SF so it's not nearly as far as it is from Santa Cruz to take the 1 or 17.
For more reviews of what living in Petaluma is like from locals, check out The Reviews.
Petaluma FAQ
Q: Is Petaluma expensive?
A: It’s more affordable than Marin and many parts of the East Bay, but pricier than Santa Rosa or Rohnert Park. West-side historic areas run higher; east-side neighborhoods offer more variety.
Q: Are the schools in Petaluma good?
A: Yes—many families move here specifically for the mix of well-regarded neighborhood schools and popular charter options like Cherry Valley and River Montessori. Petaluma High and Casa Grande both have strong reputations.
Q: Is Petaluma safe?
A: Generally, yes. Most neighborhoods feel steady and predictable. The east side has more variation block-to-block, while the west side feels more established.
Q: Is Petaluma walkable?
A: Downtown and the west side are very walkable. Other areas are more suburban, with access to parks and trails but not daily errands.
Q: What’s the vibe of downtown?
A: Historic, compact, and well-kept. Lots of preserved brick buildings, independent shops, restaurants, and cafés.
Q: Is Petaluma a good place for remote workers?
A: Yes. Strong café culture, coworking options, quiet neighborhoods, and proximity to SF for hybrid work.
Q: How far is Petaluma from San Francisco?
A: About 45–60 minutes by car depending on traffic. Marin commutes are shorter.
Q: What industries are strongest in Petaluma?
A: Food and beverage manufacturing, education, healthcare, and small professional firms.
Q: What neighborhoods are best for families?
A: West side (Grant, McNear, Oakhill/Burton Valley areas), and east-side pockets near Casa Grande for more space.
Want to give Petaluma a shot?
Use our friends at VRBO and Expedia to help get you going!
Living in Petaluma
Neighborhoods in Petaluma
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Downtown Petaluma Neighborhood
Young professionals, remote workers, downsizers.
Petaluma is a stretch for young professionals looking for a big batch of other young professionals, but there are bars, restaurants, and cafes if you’re ready to move on from the big city but don’t want to surrender a social scene entirely. There are plenty of condos and apartments for purchase or rent, so don’t expect a city that never sleeps, but if you’re gonna live anywhere, it’ll be downtown.
A growing trend, which Petaluma is experiencing as well, is Empty Nesters/Retirees picking quiet-ish but active downtowns for the short walks to daytime culture and nighttime action. The weather is amazing, the locals are friendly, and the pace is pretty perfect for being active, but not at a dizzying pace. This is a true American Main Street that converted, but also preserved 1870s buildings, into a thriving arts, shopping, restaurant, and theater district.
One final note, while the counties north of SF are famous for rejecting the train system from the city, there is a nifty little train line from Santa Rosa to Larkspur, so you can live in downtown Petaluma and take a train to many of the Marin/Sonoma county cities.
Zoned Schools:
- McNear or Grant Elementary (varies)
- Petaluma Junior High
- Petaluma High
Median Home Price: $650,000–$900,000
Similar Neighborhoods:
-Downtown Napa
-Sebastopol’s core
-Paso Robles historic district