Petaluma is a city with a well preserved historic center in Sonoma County, California, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 54,548. As of 2006, Petaluma's population is 56,727. Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park contains the Rancho Petaluma Adobe, a National Historic Landmark. It was built beginning in 1836 by General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, then Commandant of the San Francisco Presidio. It was the center of a vast 66,000-acre ranch stretching from Petaluma Creek to Sonoma Creek. The adobe is considered one of the best preserved buildings of its era in Northern California. Petaluma is a transliteration of the Coast Miwok phrase péta lúuma which means hill backside and probably refers to Petaluma's proximity to Sonoma Mountain. Petaluma apartments for rent comparison page shows most up to date rent information on Petaluma apartments and houses. Rent information is obtained from multiple rental sources but we cannot guarantee their accuracy.