Westside / D Street
Victorians, craftsman bungalows, and the town's grandest historic homes within walking distance of downtown.
Communities / Petaluma
Petaluma
A river town with a working downtown — Victorian westside streets, sunny eastside neighborhoods, and dairy-country hills ten minutes from either.
County
Sonoma
To Golden Gate Bridge
~32 miles via US-101
Rail
SMART — Downtown & North stations
Feels like
Historic main street, working river
Living Here
Life in Petaluma
Petaluma is where Jonathan grew up, where our office sits, and where this team does more business than anywhere else. It's a genuine river town: the Petaluma River bends right into downtown, the 1870s–1900s commercial blocks survived the 1906 earthquake nearly intact, and buildings like the McNear and the Mystic Theatre still anchor a main street that never needed reinventing.
The town splits informally at the river. The westside is the postcard—Victorians and craftsman homes on tree-lined streets, walkable to downtown coffee, the Saturday farmers market, and D Street's historic homes. The eastside has newer single- and two-story neighborhoods, community parks, and convenient access to Highway 101 and the SMART train.
Neighborhoods to know
Oakhill–Brewster
The historic district north of downtown — smaller Victorians and cottages with distinctive architectural details.
East Petaluma / McDowell
Established mid-century neighborhoods, larger lots, and the widest range of entry prices in town.
Southgate & Adobe Creek
Newer planned neighborhoods near the golf course, with sidewalks, parks, and contemporary floor plans.
West Haven & Sunnyslope
Semi-rural west hills minutes from downtown — acreage, views, and small vineyards.
Downtown lofts & mixed-use
A small but growing stock of condos, lofts, and live/work spaces in the historic core.
Out your front door
- Helen Putnam Regional Park — 216 hilltop acres of oak-studded trails starting at the edge of the westside.
- Shollenberger Park — Wetland loop along the river — the after-work walk half the town uses.
- Petaluma River Turning Basin — Kayaks, small craft, and riverfront dining in the middle of downtown.
- Lagunitas Brewing Taproom — The hometown brewery's beer garden, a five-minute drive from downtown.
- Butter & Egg Days — The spring parade that tells you everything about this town's dairy-farming soul.
Schools & essentials
- Petaluma City Schools — Two comprehensive high schools (Petaluma High on the westside, Casa Grande on the east) plus charter options; verify current assignment and enrollment directly with the district.
- St. Vincent de Paul — Private PK–12 option near downtown.
- Petaluma Valley Hospital — Full-service hospital on the east side.
- SMART train — Two stations with service south to Larkspur ferry and north through Santa Rosa to Windsor.
Local Market Structure
How the local market differs
Petaluma includes eastside condos and mid-century ranches, westside Victorians, downtown mixed-use properties, and west-hills acreage. Location, condition, lot, architecture, and walkability can produce meaningful differences within the same ZIP code.
Our office is downtown, and both agents bring personal and transaction experience in Petaluma to the shared client plan.
For current comparable sales on a specific street or property, call either agent and we will prepare a focused local review.
Considering Petaluma?
Buying, selling, or comparing options in Petaluma? Send the street, property, budget, or question. Your message reaches both agents, and one of us will respond the same day.
Photography: Mystic Theatre — Invisabrew123, CC BY-SA 4.0 — via Wikimedia Commons.