Petaluma, California

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.

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.

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 receive discounted fares on travel via our partnership with Expedia as well.

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.