Santa Rosa, CA Road Trips

Santa Rosa's history is rich in culture and many different groups have called the area their home. Pomo, Miwok, and Wappo Indians first settled the area followed by the Spanish in the early 1800s. The first deeded land was held as the Rancho Cabeza de Santa Rosa and was given to Senora Maria Ignacia Lopez de Carrillo by Spanish authorities. In 1867, the county recognized Santa Rosa as an incorporated city and in 1868 the state confirmed the incorporation, making it the third incorporated city in Sonoma County, after Petaluma, incorporated in 1858, and Healdsburg, incorporated in 1867. The city continued to grow when other early population centers declined or stagnated, but by 1900 it had been, or was being, overtaken by many other newer population centers in the San Francisco Bay Area and Southern California. According to a 1905 article in the Press Democrat newspaper reporting on the Battle of the Trains, the city had just over 10,000 people at the time. The April 18, 1906 San Francisco Earthquake essentially destroyed the entire downtown, but the city's population did not greatly suffer. However, after that period the population growth of Santa Rosa, as with most of the area, was very slow. In 1943, Alfred Hitchcock filmed his thriller, Shadow of Doubt in Santa Rosa. He would continue to use Santa Rosa, and later Bodega Bay in many of his films. Thanks to this, Santa Rosa became, and continues to be a major hub in the Bay Area for numerous movies. visitsantarosa.com

1 Charles M. Schulz Museum, 2301 Hardies Ln, ☏ +1 707-579-4452. Celebrating Mr. Schulz's world-famous creation: the Peanuts comic strip. 6th Street Playhouse, 52 West 6th St, ☏ +1 707-523-4185. 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. 2 Safari West, 3115 Porter Creek Rd, ☏ +1 707-579-2551, toll-free: +1-800-616-2695. A 400-acre wildlife preserve that is home to over 400 mammals and birds. 3 Luther Burbank Home and Gardens (on the corner of Santa Rosa Avenue and Sonoma Avenue, downtown), ☏ +1 707-524-5445. 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. Free to visit, but there is an additional cost for docent-led tours. 4 Museum of Sonoma County, 425 7th St, ☏ +1 707-579-1500. 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.

Visit some nearby wineries. Santa Rosa sits in the center of the famous Sonoma Wine Country and has nearly 200 wineries to choose from. Play golf. There are three public courses: Bennett Valley Golf Course (18 holes), the Fairgrounds Golf Course (9 holes), and Valley of the Moon Club (36 holes). 1 Redwood Empire Ice Arena. 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. Hike the county and state parks. 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: (updated Nov 2016) Howarth Park (city). 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. (updated Nov 2016) 2 Spring Lake Regional Park, 393 Violetti Rd (campground and boat launch at South Entrance, 5585 Newanga Ave), ☏ +1 707-539-8092. 7AM-Sunset. 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.

1 Ca' Bianca Ristorante Italiano (Ca' Bianca), 835 2nd St, ☏ +1 707-542-5800. Excellent Italian food. Restaurant is in a large converted Victorian house in a quiet neighborhood near downtown, and so can be easily missed. El Charro, 1529 Farmers Ln (in shopping center off Farmers Lane between Bennett Valley Rd. and Freeway 12), ☏ +1 707-570-2387. Good Mexican food. (updated Aug 2019) El Patio, 901 4th St. Excellent and inexpensive Mexican food. A fixture for locals since the 1990s. (updated Nov 2016) Fourth Street Deli, 300 Mendocino Ave. Sandwiches and salads. Great place to grab lunch to eat at the park across the street. 2 La Gare, 208 Wilson St (just north of the intersection of 3rd St and Wilson), ☏ +1 707-528-4355. French/Swiss cuisine. Local favorite. Lepe's Taqueria, 4323 Montgomery Dr. Delicious Mexican cuisine, fast-food style. Indoor and outdoor seating, close to Spring Lake and Howarth Park. (updated Nov 2016) Mary's Pizza Shack. 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). Oliver's Market. 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.

The 440 Club. 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. Russian River Brewing Company, 725 4th St. Daily 11AM-midnight. Perhaps now overshadowed by the much larger version in Windsor, this homey haunt offers specialty pizza, pub grub, and world-class ales. (updated Jul 2019)

1 Motel 6 Santa Rosa, 3145 Cleveland Ave, ☏ +1 707-525-9010, fax: +1 707-528-2761. Art House Hotel, 620 7th St., ☏ +1 707-545-5400, [email protected]. 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. (updated Mar 2023) Astro Hotel, 323 Santa Rosa Avenue, ☏ +1 707-200-4655, [email protected]. 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". From $139. (updated Jul 2024) 2 Best Western Garden Inn, 1500 Santa Rosa Ave, ☏ +1 707-546-4031, fax: +1 707 526-4903. Extended Stay America - North, 100 Fountain Grove Parkway, ☏ +1 707-541-0959, fax: +1 707-541-0931. Extended Stay America - South, 2600 Corby Ave, ☏ +1 707-546-4808, fax: +1 707-546-4860. 3 Flamingo Resort Hotel, 277 4th St. 4 Courtyard Santa Rosa, 175 Railroad St, ☏ +1 707-573-9000, fax: +1 707-573-0272. 5 Hotel La Rose, 308 Wilson St (Located in Railroad Square, Northwest of Highway 101 and Highway 12's intersection), ☏ +1 707-579-3200, toll-free: +1-800-527-6738. 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.

Santa Rosa is 55 mi (89 km) north of San Francisco via Highway 101 (through the famous Golden Gate Bridge). Depending on traffic conditions, this drive can be done in less than an hour; during commute hours, the trip may be as long as two hours. It is best to avoid highways during weekday rush hours, and on the weekend after sporting events. Beautiful and alternative routes exist on Highway 1, and through Sonoma Valley. 1 Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS IATA), 2200 Airport Blvd (8 mi (13 km) north of downtown Santa Rosa via US 101 and Airport Blvd.). A major airport for general aviation and commercial flights serving Santa Rosa, Petaluma and other surrounding cities & towns in the Sonoma Wine Country, Mendocino County in the North Coast and the nearby Napa Valley. It is named after Charles M Schultz, the author of the Peanuts comic strips, who lived in the area for more than 30 years. It is served by: (updated Apr 2020) Alaska Airlines (Burbank, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Portland (Oregon) and Seattle-Tacoma) American Airlines/American Eagle (Dallas/Ft Worth and Phoenix Sky Harbor) Avelo (Burbank, Las Vegas and Palm Springs) Sonoma County Transit (SCT) #62 bus connects passengers from the airport into town (downtown Santa Rosa), Mendocino Transit #65 & 95 for going up north to Mendocino County, and Groome Transportation for going to Santa Rosa P&R (1350 Maple Ave), Petaluma, Rohnert Park and San Rafael. Click here for a list of car rental companies at the airport and other ground transport options.

Being largely suburban, a personal vehicle remains the most common method of getting around Santa Rosa and the surrounding area. There is the Santa Rosa CityBus, but frequency, operating hours, and coverage leave much to be desired. Sonoma County Transit and Golden Gate Transit also provide service in Santa Rosa, but focus mainly on inter-city travel. Bicycling in Santa Rosa is a reasonable option. Most destinations are reachable via not-too-busy roads, and notable car-free pathways exist from downtown to and beyond the western city limit. The primary off-street bicycle and pedestrian path system is the Prince Memorial Greenway, extending along the banks of Santa Rosa Creek from City Hall in the heart of downtown, out beyond the city to the west. On the western edge of downtown, near the Marriott Hotel in Railroad Square, this connects to the Joe Rodota Trail, a paved off-street path going to Sebastopol paralleling CA highway 12. Much of the city is relatively flat. The downtown core is easily walkable, and if one were staying downtown they could conceivably while away a day on foot.