RETURN TO HOMEA Conversation with Martha O’Hayer of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Petaluma, California
Are you thinking of living in…
…a town within an hour of a major city? How about within an hour of San Francisco? A town that is affordable, with good schools, small town charm, wine country sophistication and recently voted the ‘Happiest Place in California’? Then Petaluma, California, is for you.
Earlier this year, a national survey was conducted by The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, polling over 350,000 people. Petaluma ranked #1 in California and #5 in the Nation for health and happiness. If that’s not a reason to want to live here, then at least a visit is in order!
Our Town
Located just 38 miles north of San Francisco on Highway 101, Petaluma is the southern-most town in Sonoma County. Chartered in 1858, old by West Coast standards, Petaluma began as a thriving shipping and manufacturing center at the turn of the last century. Today, Petaluma still retains some of its late 1800s character with iron-front buildings and Victorian architecture and Petaluma’s downtown is listed on the National Register for Historic Places. Miraculously, these buildings were untouched by the devastating earthquake in 1906.
Petaluma’s population of 55,000 may be the happiest in California, and possibly the luckiest in the world! Our community is centrally located for all sorts of Wine Country activities. There are over 300 wineries within Sonoma County providing access to award-winning varietals and some of the world’s most amazing microclimates that produce some of the bounty that defines Petaluma. Along with the Petaluma Gapwines, Petaluma produces world-class beers and ales at the Lagunitas Brewery and Dempsey’s. McEvoy Ranch produces award-winning olive oils on an 80-acre ranch just outside of the city limits. Cowgirl Creamery, the artisan cheese producers with stores in Washington DC and San Francisco, produces some of their cheese in a state-of-the-art facility located right in our downtown along the Petaluma River.
I don’t think you’ll find a better restaurant selection in a city the size of Petaluma. Award-winning and charming with delicious fare, some of our restaurants have even caught the eye of the prestigious Michelin Guide. Cucina Paradiso, Risibisi and Hiro’s are among those mentioned.
Events
Each Spring and Fall, against the historic downtown backdrop, our streets are transformed into a giant Antique Faire. Several hundred antique vendors from around the country bring their finest to showcase in this unique marketplace setting. In 2010, the Antique Faire will take place on Sunday, September 26, on Kentucky Street and beyond. It’s a great time.
Spring also brings Petaluma’s biggest event of the year: The Butter and Egg Days Paradeheld on the fourth Saturday in April (one day before the Antique Faire). Yes, Petaluma was founded on agriculture and this parade celebrates that heritage and “The cutest little Chick Contest” kicks things off for this hometown parade. The Sonoma/Marin Fair, which takes place in June, maintains the agricultural roots of Petaluma. 4H is a driving force behind this regional fair and you may have seen winners of “the ugliest dog contest” on the late shows….cutest chick, ugliest dog. And if that weren’t enough, Santa Claus arrives each year via River Boat. Ahhh, Petaluma.
People, Weather, Schools & The Personal Experience
Though previously an apartment dweller in San Francisco for nearly 20 years, moving to Petaluma 10 years ago was an incredibly easy transition. My husband and I wanted to live somewhere that offered the amenities the city had, with an all around warmer feeling, both in terms of people and temperature.
As much as I truly loved living in San Francisco, and I do return often, I will not miss the summers there. Petaluma’s climate is somewhat coastal – we’re just 20 miles from the Pacific Ocean – but in the summer, generally, the fog burns off in the morning, giving way to a sunny and warmer midday and cooler evenings. People say hello to you on the streets. Kids sell homemade goods and lemonade. Excess produce from neighbor’s gardens are offered for “Free – Take some.” Our 
neighbor Charlie, who has lived in Petaluma all of his life, mows our lawn! Because, he says, it’s good for his heart and “that’s what neighbors do.” Simple but true: that’s what you’re likely to find in Petaluma.
The schools in Petaluma are diverse. Public or private, you can find the resources to make an informed decision here. Our parks are plentiful, flat and full of wildlife or hilly and full of views, your choice again. Are you a golfer, hiker, birder, biker, quilter? Well, then, you may already be home.
Some of my recent clients have come from out of town – Princeton, NJ, Palo Alto, CA, and San Francisco, CA. Often, my clients of retirement age are looking to be closer to their kids or grandkids who live in San Francisco or Marin County. Something about Petaluma is alluring. They may come to retire, but I’ve found they often find their plates full of things to do and they feel as though there’s little time to sit around.
While talking with her daughter in Washington DC, one of my clients described her new home this way: “The people are friendly…and the food, fantastic! There’s tons to do,” she told her. “Dad has already joined the Seniors Bike Club and is riding to the coast this weekend. I have a group of women that meet on business topics and generally get together to eat, shop, play.” Her daughter’s response? “Mom, it sounds like a cruise ship on land!!”
My client couldn’t agree more.
So, Disneyland may be the Happiest Place on Earth, but Petaluma is the Happiest Place in California. Come and see for yourself!
There’s lots more to see and do in Petaluma. Here’s a great blog focused on Petaluma. Check it out to find out why we’re the happiest place in California.
About Martha O’Hayer:
Martha O’Hayeris a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Petaluma, Ca. Martha has lived in Petaluma for ten years and has been in the San Francisco Bay Area for nearly 30 years, originally hailing from Rhode Island.
You can start your real estate research Martha’s personal website. Contact Martha at (415) 786-6331 send her an email at
Hey, if you are ever in the area, stop by the Petaluma Visitor Center. Martha is there a few days a month!
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This guest post is part of our Realtor Thursday Series. We invite realtors from towns and cities all over the country, big or small, to participate. Our goal is to “travel” to as many towns as we can in every state. Every town is unique and wonderful to our readers. If you would like to showcase your town, your neighbors and your talents as a realtor, please contact us at liz@dalesiegel.com