Petaluma (pop 54,660)
I have to admit that, for no good reason, I didn't have a good impression of Petaluma. But, after spending the day there, I really was impressed. Lots of old, renovated buildings, new residential construction downtown, restaurants, and lots of people, etc.
Could be taken in SF
There was some type of car show going on downtown
In desperate need of a make over...
Santa Rosa (pop 157,985)
Given Santa Rosa is the Bay Area's fourth largest city, overall, I found it a little underwhelming. At least the downtown core seemed lively with people and activities for a weekend.
You can tell you're in the suburbs when parking garages are some of the tallest buildings
The Santa Rosa "skyline"
Surely the State of California can do better than THIS...
This is the second Barnes & Nobles I've seen be incorporated into an old building...very cool.
C'est moi
Sonoma (pop 9,128)
A very cute, touristy town with a great plaza/park in the center of downtown for lots of locals and visitors alike to congregate and enjoy the afternoon. Definitely a place I'd love to come and stay for the weekend.
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Tour of California
1: Los Angeles,
2: Hollywood, Glendale, Pasadena, Beverly Hills,
3: Riverside, Santa Ana, Long Beach,
4: San Jose,
5: San Diego,
6: Fresno,
7: Stockton, Modesto,
8: Gold Country,
9: Eureka, Arcata,
10: Monterey, Carmel,
11: Santa Cruz,
12: Sacramento Pt One, 13: Sacramento Pt Two,
14: Roseville & Folsom,
15: Concord & Walnut Creek,
16: Tri-Valley,
17: Berkeley, Emeryville,
18: Fremont,
19: Santa Clara, Mountain View, Palo Alto,
20: Redwood City, Foster City, San Mateo,
21: Oakland,
22: Benicia, Vallejo,
23: Napa, St. Helena