Cities Near Petaluma
Cities near Petaluma, California: 10 notable destinations within day-trip and weekend range, including Novato, Santa Rosa, San Rafael. Compare distance, drive time and flight time, with day-trip and getaway ideas.
The closest notable city to Petaluma, California is Novato, about 9 mi (15 km) away — roughly 32 min by road. Below, 10 nearby cities are ranked by distance, with real drive and flight estimates and whether each works best as a day trip or an overnight getaway.
| City | Distance | Drive | Flight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novato | 9 mi / 15 km | 32 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Santa Rosa | 15 mi / 24 km | 29 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| San Rafael | 19 mi / 30 km | 36 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Napa | 20 mi / 31 km | 38 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Vallejo | 22 mi / 36 km | 43 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Richmond | 26 mi / 42 km | 50 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Fairfield | 32 mi / 52 km | 58 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Chinatown | 33 mi / 52 km | 58 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Oakland | 36 mi / 57 km | 1 hr 4 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Vacaville | 36 mi / 58 km | 1 hr 5 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
Day trips from Petaluma
Within about 100 miles and easy to visit in a day: Novato, Santa Rosa, San Rafael, Napa, Vallejo. These are close enough to go and return without an overnight stay.
Getting around
Nearby cities are usually quickest by car or train; for the longer hops a regional flight can save time. Tap any city above for its full distance, driving-time and flight-time breakdown, or plan a specific route with the tools below.
Frequently asked questions
Notable cities near Petaluma include Novato, Santa Rosa, San Rafael, Napa, Vallejo. The closest is Novato, about 9 miles (15 km) away. The table above lists each with its distance, drive time and best use.