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City in California, United States
Photo: Wulfnoth of English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Santa Rosa is the largest city in Sonoma County, California, and fifth largest in the San Francisco Bay Area. The city is a jumping off point for visiting the wine country of Sonoma County and the Napa Valley, or driving out to the beautiful coastal and parks throughout the Sonoma County.
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Celebrating Mr. Schulz's world-famous creation: the Peanuts comic strip.
A state-of-the-art professional theatre facility, home of the Santa Rosa Players and the Actors Theatre, in downtown's historic Railroad Square District.
A 400-acre wildlife preserve that is home to over 400 mammals and birds.
The historic Burbank home property was given to the City of Santa Rosa by Burbank's widow, Elizabeth, upon her death in 1977. The Luther Burbank Home & Gardens Board and City staff cooperatively oversee and maintain the property. The gardens contain a rose garden, and medicinal garden. The site is open to the public and its programs are staffed by volunteers.
The Sonoma County Museum is in the former U.S. Post Office and federal building, completed in 1910, one of the oldest surviving federal buildings in the state and a premier example of federal architecture from the era. It is located in downtown Santa Rosa one block west of B Street, north of the downtown shopping mall, the Santa Rosa Plaza. It has a collection of works relating to the artist Cristo and has rotating displays on art, culture, and local history, including such displays as the works of Ansel Adams and the history of mapping the California Coast.
The winery offers appointments for tastings (reserve online), but the outside sculpture garden doesn't require visiting the winery building. The current exhibit, in place through Summer 2024, features eight kinetic pieces in the winery's four-acre Marijke's Grove.
This well-known ice rink also known as "Snoopy's Home Ice" features Snoopy and the gang and was once owned by Charles M. Schulz. It is across Hardies Lane from the Schulz museum.
A few minutes from downtown, two adjacent parks offer short and long hikes in varied terrain, featuring two lakes. Lots of dogs, ducks and geese to see. A nice way to get in a bit of exercise without too much effort. Parks include:
A family park with jungle gym, rope climbing structure, and large picnic area. In the summer, kids love the miniature railroad, pony rides, and small carousel, and refreshments are available at a little stand. Tennis courts and softball diamond can be found somewhat separated from the larger picnic area, and a hiking trail behind them is very little-known.
Between Howarth Park and Annadel lies Spring Lake Park, easily accessible from either one. A paved biking and walking trail encircles Spring Lake, and dozens of smaller side paths range from cool and shady lakeside areas to hot and dry gravel trails. The swimming lagoon and dining area were refurbished and reopened in 2015.
A true treasure of Santa Rosa, Annadel State Park deserves much praise for its incredible scenery and amazing hiking trails. The park is a favorite year-round for hikes of any length, affording stunning views from the peaks. Sonoma County locals will be only too happy to recommend their favorite routes.
The center offers more than 200 performances each year: music, dance, theatre, speakers, and comedy. The adjacent one acre sculpture garden is open to the public at no cost.
North Bay's largest all-in-one destination for sports, fitness, and entertainment. With 130,000 square feet of activities, Epicenter has a unique mix of attractions for the whole family, including music and comedy events and a sports bar.
23,000 square foot of climbing (five stories high), yoga, and other gym activities, opened June 2022.
Ca' Bianca
Excellent Italian food. Restaurant is in a large converted Victorian house in a quiet neighborhood near downtown, and so can be easily missed.
Good Mexican food.
Excellent and inexpensive Mexican food. A fixture for locals since the 1990s.
Sandwiches and salads. Great place to grab lunch to eat at the park across the street.
French/Swiss cuisine. Local favorite.
Casual California comfort food with a Mexican twist. Indoor and outdoor seating, close to Spring Lake and Howarth Park.
Family-friendly Italian restaurant and Sonoma County tradition. Features good-value lunch specials until 5PM. Two locations in Santa Rosa: 535 Summerfield Road (across from Howarth Park on Summerfield Rd. near Montgomery Dr.); and 3084 Marlow Road (Northwest Santa Rosa at Marlow Rd. and Piner Rd).
Local semi-gourmet grocery. In addition to standard supermarket options are at taqueria, very good freshly-made sushi, excellent desserts, very good cheese and wine selections, and a salad bar. Tables available to eat there, or take out. The Santa Rosa location is in Rincon Valley, on Montecito Dr. at Middle Rincon Rd.
Japanese.
This small café with a cozy alpine atmosphere was once the favorite hangout of Charles M. Schulz. The table he routinely sat at as part of his daily activities is perpetually reserved for his presence.
It's a winery, yes, but it's even better known for its wine and food pairing experience. What's offered is a multi-course, seasonal menu, not just bites to go with wine.
Japanese and sushi.
Just north of the city limits of Santa Rosa is the town of Fulton (population of about 500). The most prominent attraction is the chateau-like Kendall-Jackson winery, which offers, in addition to the standard wine tasting, a four-course food and wine pairing focusing on a selection of small-production, limited-release wines; a cheese pairing with artisan cheeses from Sonoma and Marin counties; and a wine and chocolate pairing. The winery also hosts an annual farm-to-table dinner series set in the estate gardens; the gardens are open to the public during normal hours.
The quintessential dive bar. Jackalope mounted on the wall, local music in the jukebox, and friendly service. Can't beat a Sierra Nevada draught for $2.
Perhaps now overshadowed by the much larger version in Windsor, this homey haunt offers specialty pizza, pub grub, and world-class ales.
Two blocks off historic Courthouse Square in downtown Santa Rosa, this new (2021) boutique hotel has large rooms, serene hues, and lush linens. Hotel-style rooms, suites, and one-bedroom apartments.
It was built in 1963, and was restored, updated, and reopened in 2018. 34 rooms and a guest lounge complete with a vintage sound system, a collection of board games, and a daily complimentary breakfast. Named in 2024 by National Geographic as one of the five "best retro motels in California".
This historic stone building was built in 1907 and renovated in 1985. With 48 guestrooms, you'll find amenities like whirlpool tubs or balconies overlooking the rose garden courtyard. Rates range between $100 and $300.
This Mediterranean-styled hotel is located just south of the historic Railroad Square. It features amenities such as an on-site spa, sauna, bar, and free parking. Rates average $300.
Renovated in 2018, the property has 78 rooms and a 5,000 ft² full-service spa.
Macy's, Forever 21, J. Crew, Apple, and 100 or so more stores and kiosks in a two-story indoor mall
This mall features Macy's, JC Penny, Target, Nordstrom Rack, Whole Foods, and over 100 other stores. The 72-foot-tall revolving sign in the parking lot was declared a historical landmark in 1993 by the City of Santa Rosa.
Outdoor shopping center includes several streets of chain and local stores, a mix of boutique and more pedestrian options, and several good restaurants.
By plane
By bus
The central bus station for the following is the Santa Rosa Transit Mall on 2nd St between Santa Rosa Ave and B St:
By train
Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit, or SMART, connects Santa Rosa with Windsor, Sonoma County Airport, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Petaluma, Novato, and San Rafael.
By thumb
Hitchhiking in the North Bay is an accepted practice, but as always have your wits about you.
Being largely suburban, a personal vehicle remains the most common method of getting around Santa Rosa and the surrounding area.
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Santa Rosa · Regional · STS
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