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 really 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. 


Small-Town Vibe

The Best Thing About Petaluma?

We put a question mark after “Jobs” because while the city isn’t a jobs haven like others in the Bay Area, the tech world has gone hard core work-from-home so for many this may not matter. There are tech companies north of SF -- close-ish to Petaluma, but the pickings can be slim so stick close to SF/San Jose if an easy commute job market is important to you. 

Jobs, Maybe?

The Worst Part About Petaluma?

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’s more soccer and other sports than a family could possibly want for their kiddos. There’s 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 is always available – as is surfing, paddle-boarding and beach-lounging. 

To see what locals do for fun check out the **[Petaluma Calendar of Events](https://petalumadowntown.com/calendar)**.

Chill

Lifestyle of Petaluma

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. 

The Lifestyle

Why You Should Move Here Now?

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 1870’s 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. 
- Midtown

Young Professionals - Empty Nesters/Retirees

Downtown

Western Petaluma is a beautiful suburban neighborhood. It has a mix of historic mansions, restored Victorian and Craftsman homes, and newer subdivisions for those craving a true suburban experience. The streets are tree-lined, the blocks are quiet and there are big yards and parks for the kiddos to run around and the Petaluma River for boating and kayaking. The **[public schools](https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-public-high-schools/t/petaluma-sonoma-ca/)** are highly-rated and walkable, or bikeable for those looking for that intimate culture. 

Families

Western Petaluma

Oakhill Brewster is a stunning historic district for families craving heritage Victorians, Queen Annes or Craftsman homes right next to downtown. If you want a foot in quiet family-friendly blocks and a foot in a downtown district then Oakhill Brewster is your choice. It borders the commercial district so you have a short walk to cultural events, farmers’ markets and nights out, but it also preserves a lifestyle of family-friendly play when you want the kids running and biking at a distance from the downtown traffic and tourists. 


Oakhill Brewster

Petaluma

**What’s your favorite part about living in Petaluma?**

I moved to Petaluma 2 years ago to live with my partner who grew up here. I love it here, and we never plan to leave. The downtown area is a perfect place for a Sunday brunch, Saturday afternoon stroll and shopping, or Friday night drinks on the town. It is small, but it feels like home . 40ish minutes to the beach, 45-1 hour into SF by car. My partner takes the golden gate transit into the city for work which is a nice perk to not have to drive. All in all a wonderful town. Housing wise, we did have to move back in with the parents for the next two or more years to be able to afford a starter home here so there’s that….

**What’s your favorite part about living in Petaluma?**

My fiancé and I just moved to Petaluma from Napa and we love it! I’m from Elk Grove originally, so I love the small town feel of Petaluma while still having access to big city amenities. It’s got plenty of parks & outdoor space, a cool downtown, bars, restaurants, nightlife, and still feels like a farm town. Napa seemed a lot like a tourist trap everywhere, so we already feel much more at home in Petaluma because everything here feels more “authentic.” I think it will be easier for us to make friends here, too. Good luck to you!

**What’s your favorite part about living in Petaluma?
**
It is a safe place, lots of charm, great location - has most anything you would want, but if not you can get it nearby. People complain about the traffic, but those people have never been anywhere where there is real traffic lol. Less than half an hour to the beach, half an hour to the river. The only thing not to like really is the real estate prices, but thats California in general. I raised my child here, it was GREAT.


**Moving from San Diego to Petaluma**

Exact opposite - there’s tons of young people and young family folks here. Plenty of older folk too, but most people with regular incomes can’t afford to own in SF, or Marin. So next area north is Sonoma, and Petaluma is the first city you get to.

Downtown has tons of cool little shops, great restaurants, and there’s more and more to do as you head north.

Added benefit, you’re only 40 minutes from the coast, and the traffic going west is not bad at all except on holiday weekends.

Downsides - traffic going north, south, or east of Petaluma is hell. But west to the coast is great.

Lots of good fishing spots on coast, and steelhead and all that on the rivers. That’s my thing. In fact, the Petaluma river runs right through town and there are lots of little striped bass in there. Best months are June to October in my experience.

E - as far as other cities, Petaluma is the best option if you want to live in a town, and don’t want to go super far north. I wouldn’t recommend Santa Rosa or Rohnert Park unless you got lottttta $, and maybe not even then. Santa Rosa has a surprising amount of crime, and RP is just kinda bland. Don’t feel like it has lotta character.




**What’s your favorite part about living in Petaluma?**

My husband and I (also in our 30s) left the East Coast and settled in Petaluma seven years ago. We love it here. Yes, it’s expensive, but so is Oakland—the price tag shouldn’t be a total shock to your system. I like that if I walk a few blocks in one direction, I’ll encounter a goat and alpaca farm and, just a few blocks in the other direction, I’ll hit downtown. Some of the downtown architecture gives charming New England vibes, which hits a nostalgic sweet spot for me personally. The mountain views are gorgeous, and it’s lovely walking along the river year round. The city hosts several art and antique fairs throughout the year. There are plenty of great shops and restaurants. Petaluma also goes all out for Halloween, which is fun to experience. We’re definitely looking forward to raising a family here!

Petaluma, California

Chickaluma

Looklyloo Score: 94

Downtown

Young Professionals - Empty Nesters/Retirees

Western Petaluma

Families

Oakhill Brewster

Families