 Located at the end of the 14 mile-long Petaluma River that connects to the ocean at San Pablo Bay, Petaluma is just a 40 minute drive north on US 101 from the Golden Gate Bridge and is only 18 miles due east of the Pacific Ocean, Point Reyes National Seashore and the Sonoma Coast.
Settled in 1850 and incorporated in 1858, Petaluma is the oldest northern California city between San Francisco and Eureka. By 1900 it had become the focal point for commerce between San Francisco and points north as paddle-wheelers and barges transported timber, agricultural and dairy products, industrial supplies and people between the two cities. By 1917, it had grown to be the undisputed world leader in the production of chickens and eggs and was also one of the wealthiest cities in the Nation. The incubator was invented here in 1875.
 Today, with a population of about 60,000, this quintessential “American Hometown” is the perfect blend of the past and present with its turn of the century Iron-Front Buildings, stately Victorian homes and Petaluma River Waterfront. Historic downtown is packed with antique, gift and apparel shops, restaurants and the Petaluma Historic Museum and Library, which has California's only free-standing stained glass dome. The new Theatre District, adjacent to the River, includes a modern cinema complex, business and shopping areas and city-style apartments.
 Abundant with business parks, industry, quality schools, hospital and medical center and numerous local and regional parks, Petaluma is surrounded by rolling hills dotted with ranches, farms and vineyards. It is also host city to the United States Coast Guard's only western training center located in Two Rock Valley, 10 miles to the west.
Petaluma & Services
Traffic Conditions, Hwy 101
Weather
City
Maps & Directions
Statistics
City of Petaluma
Visitor Center
Downtown Petaluma
Chamber of Commerce
Dept. of Motor Vehicles
Petaluma School District
Santa Rosa Junior College: Petaluma Campus
Animal Services
Nearby
Coast Guard Training Center
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma Coast
Sonoma State University
Transportation
Air: Local
Petaluma Airport
Sonoma County Airport (served by Horizon/Alaska Airlines)
Air: National/International
Of the two major airports serving the Northbay area, Oakland is our recommended choice. It is less busy, easier to access, and you don’t have to drive through San Francisco to get to and from Petaluma. The bus service between it and Petaluma runs less frequently. The same bus company services both airports. Their Petaluma location very convenient: the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds off Washington Street, adjacent to US 101. If need be, you could easily walk from it to the Best Western Petaluma Motel.
San Francisco is served directly by BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), which is cheap and fast transportation if you are planning to stay in the downtown area of San Francisco or the East Bay area. BART does not serve Marin or Sonoma (Petaluma) Counties .
Regardless of which you choose, the best times to be traveling between Petaluma and either airport are between 9:30am and 2:30pm, and between 7:30pm and 5:30am. From the airport to Petaluma, you will encounter very heavy and very slow traffic (in two locations) after 3pm and from Petaluma to the airport, it’s very congested and slow after 6am. Allow at least an extra hour and a half of travel between Petaluma and the airport if you are traveling during heavy traffic times or you may miss your flight!
Oakland International Airport
San Francisco International Airport
Bus – Taxi – Car Rental
Petaluma Bus
Sonoma County Bus
Bay Area Bus
Airport Bus-San Francisco & Oakland
Taxi
Car Rental
Lodging & Food
Lodging
Restaurants
Medical Services
Petaluma Valley Hospital
Kaiser Permanente Medical Center
History
History and Photos
Historical Museum
Petaluma Adobe
Vintage Buildings
Recreation
What’s Happening This Month
Downtown Festivals
Petaluma Fair
Bowling
Golf
Movies
Wine Tasting
Car Clubs
Cruisin’ North Car Club
Sonoma County Mustang Club
Corvettes of Sonoma County
Wine Country Mopar Club
Sonoma County Monthly Cruise-ins
Cruise-ins for classic cars are fun, socials for everyone (even if you don’t own one). A great way to make new friends who share your interests, get help with your classic, or just hang out and have a bite to eat. Most have raffles, contests, and trophies. Cruise-ins usually begin in April or May and end in October (or possibly November). It’s best to call to get exact months. Times are approximate and subject to change.
Every Friday: About 5pm
Buns & Burgers – MAP
406 Larkfield Ctr., Santa Rosa
(707) 546-6835
Monthly, Second Saturday: 2 – 5pm
Cruisin’ North Car Club
Straw Hat Pizza – MAP
919 Golf Course Dr., Rohnert Park
(707) 585-3995
Monthly, Third Saturday: 4 – 7:30pm
Foster’s Freeze – MAP
935 Gravenstein Hwy. South (Hwy 116), Sebastopol
(707) 823-1644
Monthly, Fourth Saturday: 3 – 6pm
Bianchinni’s Sandwich & Salad Market – MAP
1367 North McDowell Blvd., Petaluma
(707) 776-4570
Monthly, Last Thursday: 4 – 7:30pm
Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors – MAP
201 West Napa St., Sonoma
(707) 996-4385
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