The Petaluma Adobe served as the center of General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo's 66,000-acre (100 square miles) working ranch between 1836-1846. Here, students will come to understand the transitions that took place for many Californians in the time period between the California Mission period and the California Gold Rush. Our visit to the Petaluma Adobe helps us understand the importance of the Rancho in the both the economy and culture of the rapidly changing Californio.