Petaluma, the river town
Sonoma's most livable east-side city pairs a preserved historic downtown with a farm-to-table food scene, craft brews, and the Petaluma River running through it all. It is home base for a reason.
Sonoma County
Sonoma County
River towns, farmland, and world-famous wine country
Sonoma County is where Peter Schardt lives today: more than 16 years in Petaluma, plus day-to-day work across the county. From Petaluma's lively river town to working farms and vineyard-hilled ridges, Sonoma offers a different rhythm than Marin, and Peter works both with equal know-how.
Why people love it
What to know about Sonoma County
Working farms and dairies
By 1880, Petaluma was the largest shipping point for dairy in California, and its river moved more tonnage than many larger waterways of the era. That working-land heritage still defines the county east of the 101: creameries, dairies, and farmland minutes from town.
Wine country at the doorstep
Sonoma's vineyarded valleys and ridgeline roads are a short drive from town, and the county's wine trails draw visitors from around the world. It makes for a full-circle living experience: small-town daily life with world-class countryside.
Country properties, done right
Peter grew up in the countryside and understands wells, septic, drainage, soil, property lines, and bare land. When a Sonoma property gets complicated, that knowledge is exactly what buyers need on their side.
Local favorites
Where the locals actually go
My favorite way to test a neighborhood is still over coffee and dinner. These are real places in and around Sonoma County that my clients and I keep going back to.
Grand Central Petaluma
Coffee, empanadas, and chocolate in a charming Weller Street spot.
226 Weller St, Petaluma, CA 94952
Aqus Cafe at Foundry Wharf
Food, wine, and community tables on the Petaluma waterfront.
189 H St, Petaluma, CA 94952
Avid Coffee
A neighborhood roaster with honest, easy coffee.
21 4th St, Petaluma, CA 94952
Home types
What sells around here
Typical range across my markets: $400,000-$4,000,000. From condos to country acreage.
Single-family homes Country properties and bare land Vineyard and hobby-farm acreage Historic downtown homes
Keep exploring
Other areas I cover
Marin County
Novato
Sonoma County
Petaluma East
Sonoma County
Petaluma West
Marin County
Marin County
Marin County
Ignacio
Marin County
Terra Linda
Marin County
San Rafael
Marin County
Tiburon
Marin County
Corte Madera
Marin County
Mill Valley
Marin County
Forest Knolls
Marin County
Point Reyes Station
Sonoma County
Cotati
Sonoma County
Penngrove
Sonoma County
Rohnert Park
Sonoma County
Sebastopol
Sonoma County
Santa Rosa
Sonoma County
Windsor
Sonoma County
Healdsburg
Thinking about moving to Sonoma County? Good choice.
I have lived this area my whole life and sold homes here for 21 years. Let's find yours.