Petaluma

Petaluma is located in Sonoma County's Wine Country just 39 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Centrally located on Highway 101 and the east/west artery Highway 116, Petaluma is an ideal headquarters for exploring Sonoma County's 140 wineries, the dramatic Sonoma Coastline, Point Reyes National Seashore and California's redwoods. All only a short jaunt from Petaluma.

The Petaluma River is the heart of the city. The historic downtown flanks the river and lends itself to the authentic Victorian charm of the city. To the east are the city's newer neighborhoods and shopping centers. Surrounding the city, dairy ranches and hayfields provide the much-appreciated open space, which rises to hills on both sides of the valley.

Petaluma' s temperate climate is as close to perfect as possible without boredom.

Summertime is dry, it almost never rains from late spring to late fall. Days are warm with temperatures ranging from 65 to 85 degrees, while nightly ocean breezes guarantee pleasant sleeping. The average humidity of 66% makes an air-conditioned home in Petaluma a rarity.

Wintertime has pleasant days and chilly evenings. Temperatures range from 35 to 60 degrees during December and January. An average annual rainfall of 25 inches assures green country sides.

Though the origin of the name "Petaluma" has been debated, it's now generally accepted to mean "fiat hack," from the language of native Americans in the area more than 5,000 years ago, and interpreted to mean mesas or hills within the valley 'Valley of the Little Hills," or 'City of Little Hills" is often used as a translation for Petaluma.

Whatever its name, Petaluma natural wealth has attracted mankind since prehistoric times. For more than three thousand years, the Coast Miwok Indians lived off river and marshlands. In 1846, three Spanish land grants were established along the Peraluma River, and the area flourished as an economic and social center until gold was discovered in 1848.