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Downtown Petaluma

Downtown Petaluma

Neighborhood in Petaluma, California

Sonoma County 94952

$958,039 Average Value
$728 Average Price per Sq Ft
3 Homes For Sale

Life and history in Petaluma

Downtown Petaluma is a historic commercial district brimming with lively destinations like music venues, wine-tasting rooms and shopping dotted by grassy parks along the Petaluma River. “It’s very vibrant with lots of wonderful restaurants and local shops,” says Marni Cunha, a Realtor with Compass Real Estate. Petaluma is part of Sonoma Wine Country, and its laidback, neighborly culture is felt throughout the city. Before Petaluma became a booming agricultural town in the 19th century, the Coast Miwok tribe called the city home; today, Petalumans take an active interest in preserving their city’s history and its Native American roots. Petaluma is a main artery in the North Bay, centrally located off Highway 101 and bordering Marin County. “The most enticing thing about Downtown Petaluma is the sense of community: a small town feel with river city amenities.

New and historic homes around the corner from downtown sights

Homes in the downtown area are usually a part of small community subdivisions. Architectural styles typically include New Traditional versions of Craftsman, Prairie and ranch-style homes. These homes vary from new construction to historic houses built in the early 1900s and throughout the 20th century, ranging from $800,000 for a two-bed, two-bath ranch-style to four- or five-bedroom multi-story homes for $1.5 million. “Many houses are designated heritage homes, which means the city protects them to keep the architecture intact,” says Cunha. Typical motifs include well-manicured front lawns, short driveways with a garage and may feature small porches or balconies. Many subdivisions have homeowner’s associations with a monthly fee for residents that goes towards neighborhood upkeep and community events.

Extracurriculars in Downtown Petaluma schools

Local kids can attend public schools in Sonoma County, like Valley Vista Elementary, rated B by Niche, where students can access resources like Homework Club for after-school academic support. At Petaluma Junior High, rated A-minus, students can develop their interests alongside friends in clubs for movies, superheroes and drama. Petaluma High also receives an A-minus and offers extracurricular clubs like astronomy, eco-fashion and hiking. Private education is also offered in Sonoma County through a variety of instructional settings, including Catholic, Christian and Montessori. Specialized instruction for children with learning differences is also available.

Life along the Petaluma River and Petaluma parks

Life in Petaluma means life by the riverside, and the Petaluma River runs right through the downtown neighborhood. Residents interested in water activities can store their boats at the Petaluma Marina or rent paddle, pedal and rowing boats from The Floathouse. “There’s a lot of parks and activities on the river,” says Cunha. Walnut Park is near the heart of downtown and features a playground, picnic tables and a gazebo in the middle of a rose garden. The first park in Petaluma, Penry Park, is a green oasis in the middle of Petaluma with tall, towering palm trees and a dedication to U.S. veterans. Twelve miles from downtown, don’t miss Olompali State Park, which overlooks the Petaluma River and San Pablo Bay; visitors can hike the 2.5-mile Miwok Loop Trail or head towards Mt. Burdell’s peak in a 9-mile round trip.

Petaluma’s historic downtown neighborhood

Many Petalumans choose to embrace the Sonoma Wine Country lifestyle; locals have a deep appreciation for outdoor living, sustainability and being neighborly. The elegant yet rustic wine country influence is apparent nearly everywhere in homes, stores and restaurants. Find a plethora of wine-tasting stops along the Petaluma River, like Black Knight Vineyards Tasting Room and Adobe Road Winery Tasting Room, where patrons can reserve a table or bring the wine-tasting home by joining their club for monthly bottles mailed to their doorstep. Nearby, find authentic Puerto Rican cuisine at Sol Food, like Camarones Empanizados (plantain-fried prawns) and Chuletas Fritas (thin-cut, pan-fried pork chops). Enjoy Italian food at Sugo Trattoria, like Nonna’s Meatballs or their Ever-Changing Ravioli, stuffed with the chef’s choice of the day. For groceries, head to Trader Joe’s just off Highway 101.

Points of interest and events throughout Petaluma

Downtown Petaluma is brimming with unique and historical locations to fill a California weekend, like the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum where visitors can buy tickets for seasonal ghost walks through the downtown area. Nearby, the historic Phoenix Theater was built in 1904 and began as an opera house; today, the theater is a non-profit live music venue and youth center offering a range of music programs and workshops. Petaluma is also known for its year-round outdoor festivities, including the Fall Antique Fair, the Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival and Art in the Park at Walnut Park. The seasonal Walnut Park Farmers Market offers live music in the gazebo and local ingredients, baked goods, flowers and crafts. The Butter and Egg Days Parade in April, an event celebrating Petaluma’s history as “the egg basket of the world,” has been recurring since 1982.

Public transportation in Petaluma

While Downtown Petaluma is walkable, residents typically drive to get around the city; Highway 101 connects drivers throughout the city and Southern California. Petaluma also offers public transportation options, like the Smart Train, which extends southbound from Cloverdale to Larkspur and brings commuters to the San Francisco Ferry Building. Petaluma Transit offers bus routes throughout the city. Only about 30 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, Petaluma is an entry point to Sonoma County and leads to routes connecting to Napa and Solano Counties. Petaluma Municipal Airport is about 3 miles from downtown, and airport shuttles to the Santa Rosa, San Francisco and Oakland Airports are utilized regularly among locals. Petaluma Valley Hospital is about two miles away on North McDowell Boulevard.

Luke George
Photography Contributed By
Luke George

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Tom Bolles, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Charles M Schulz - Sonoma County

33 min drive

Bus

4th & C St

Bus

Copeland St Transit Mall

Bus

Keller And Western

Bus

Petaluma Transit Mall

Bus

E Washington St &Grey St

Bus

Petaluma Blvd S & F St

Bus

Petaluma Blvd N & Washington St Nb

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Downtown Petaluma US
Homicide 1 4
Sexual Assault 2 4
Assault with Weapon 2 4
Robbery 3 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 6 4
Larceny 6 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$925,000
Median Single Family Price
$978,000
Median Townhouse Price
$1,250,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$860,000
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$358,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$728
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Last 12 months Home Sales
21
Months of Supply
1.70
Median List Price
$902,500
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-4%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
409
Median Year Built
1929
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,422
Significantly below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,907
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,089
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
640
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,791

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Apr 26
    1 - 3pm

    415 2nd St, Petaluma, CA 94952

    $865,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 3.5 Baths
    • 1,989 Sq Ft
    • 415 2nd St
    • New 2 days ago

    Discover the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and culture in this stunning 3-story downtown condojust steps from the vibrant Theatre District and the scenic Petaluma riverfront. Including 1,987 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space, this bright and spacious home features two bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms and an attached one car garage. A first floor flex-space can

    Margaret Schrock The Agency

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  • Saturday, Apr 26
    12 - 2pm

    478 1st St, Petaluma, CA 94952

    $895,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 3.5 Baths
    • 1,759 Sq Ft
    • 478 1st St
    • New 10 days ago

    Welcome to 478 1st Street. Located in the coveted Celsius 44 at Foundry Wharf Riverfront area, this rare two-story townhouse offers modern luxury and a short walk from vibrant downtown Petaluma. This remodeled gem is perfect for those seeking style, convenience, and class. The home spans 1,759 sq ft across two stories, with the kitchen and living area thoughtfully placed on the ground floor,

    Timo Rivetti Navigate Real Estate

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  • Saturday, Apr 26
    1 - 3pm

    705 5th St, Petaluma, CA 94952

    $1,350,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 1.5 Baths
    • 1,369 Sq Ft
    • 705 5th St
    • New 13 days ago

    Located in one of Petaluma's most coveted areas, this thoughtfully updated 3-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom bungalow seamlessly blends historic charm with contemporary sophistication. The home features warm hardwood floors, elegant millwork, and abundant natural light. The well-appointed kitchen boasts premium stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, custom cabinetry, and a spacious breakfast bar,

    Amanda Sandoval Compass

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Tom Bolles, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
2,075
Median Age
46
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
17.3%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$119,062
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$139,518

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
96.6%
College Graduates
67.2%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
23.6%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
74.2%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
25''
Average Winter Low Temperature
39°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

54 / 100

Walker's Paradise

Walk Score®

92 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

42 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Downtown Petaluma