Santa Rosa (California)

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.

Understand

History

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.

Get in

By car
  • 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.

By plane
  • 🌍 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)
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. SMART Connect is an on-demand shuttle for going to the nearby SMART Railway Station for the train into town (see below on under 'By train').
  • San Francisco International Airport is the next nearest airport 70 mi (110 km) south with flights from destinations all over the US, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Europe, East/Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Hourly shuttle service is provided by Groome Transportation. For a cheaper option, take BART or SamTran #292 to the downtown Salesforce Transit Center, a few blocks from the Embacardo Station. Transfer to Golden Gate Transit #101 bus or Greyhound to downtown Santa Rosa (see "By bus" in the below).

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:

  • Route 101 goes down to San Francisco via Rohnert Park, Novato, Petaluma, San Rafael and the Golden Gate Bridge Plaza.
  • Route 172 goes down to San Francisco via Rohnert Park, Petaluma and the Golden Gate Bridge Plaza. Both the 172 and 101 buses travel on the same route, only the #101 bus makes more stops than the 172.
  • Route 65 goes up to Fort Bragg via Hopland, Ukiah, and Willits
  • Route 95 goes to Point Arena through Bodega Bay and Gualala.
  • Sonoma County Transit (SCT) goes further out to other parts of Sonoma County, outside the Santa Rosa city limits and local shuttles in the other surrounding towns of Sonoma County with the following serving Santa Rosa Transit Mall:
  • Route 20 Coddingtwon Mall, Santa Rosa Transit Mall, Sebastopol, Forestville, Russian River area
  • Route 30/30x Coddingtwon Mall, Santa Rosa Transit Mall, Sonoma Valley (Sonoma, Petaluma, Sonoma State University). Route 30x does not continue from Sonoma (town) to Sonoma State University via Petaluma.
  • Route 34 Santa Rosa Transit Mall to Sonoma Plaza in Sonoma via CA-Hwy 12.
  • Route 42 Local route from Santa Rosa Transit Mall to Industrial West Business Park south of town.
  • Route 60 Santa Rosa Transit Mall, Windsor, Healdsburg, Cloverdale.
  • Route 62 Santa Rosa Transit Mall, Charles M Schultz Airport, Windsor (Windsor Rd & Windsor Depot).
  • Santa Rosa City Bus operates local bus connections in and around Santa Rosa
  • Groome Transportion operates regularly scheduled buses to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Oakland International Airport (OAK) and the San Francisco Cruise Terminals (Pier 27) from Sonoma County Airport via Santa Rosa P&R (1350 Maple Ave), Petaluma, Rohnert Park and San Rafael. They do not stop into the Santa Rosa Transit Mall. Ask if they offer door to door pick-up and drop off.

By train

Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit, or SMART, connects Santa Rosa with Sonoma County Airport, Rohnert Park, Petaluma, Novato, and San Rafael. The train and bike path connects to the Golden Gate Ferry in Larkspur, with connecting service from San Francisco; it provides commuter mass transit between some of the most major cities in the Wine Country with local stops in:

  • 🌍 Santa Rosa Downtown railway station, 7 4th St. (updated Dec 2020)
  • 🌍 Santa Rosa North Station
  • 🌍 Sonoma County Airport Station is the northern terminus of the SMART Train from Lakespur, through Marin and Sonoma County. "SMART Connect" on demand shuttles (or SCT #62 bus) connect passengers between the train station to the airport terminal. Plans are underway to extend this route further up to Cloverdale, Healdsburg and Windsor.

🌍 Amtrak Thruway Motor Coach (Rt #7), (bus stop) 917 Edwards Ave (Next to Dick's Sporting Goods at southside of Coddingtown Shopping Center). Connects McKinleyville (via Arcata, Eureka, Willits, Ukiah, Santa Rosa, Napa, Vallejo, etc) to the Amtrak San Jaoquins and Capitol Corridor trains in Martinez. Tickets on this bus are only available for connections to Amtrak trains. This stop is also served by both Mendocino Transit routes #65 & 95. The Santa Rosa City Bus Stop for routes #1, 6, 10 & 15 at Coddingtown Mall is at the westside of the mall, on Range Ave, in front of JCPenney. The mall is also served by Sonoma Transit #20,30/30x, 44, 48. (updated Aug 2017)

By thumb

Hitchhiking in the North Bay is an accepted practice, but as always have your wits about you. Travelers will find more luck along the coastal highway, which are teaming with tourist, rather than near Highway 101. If you are looking to escape San Francisco, walking across the Golden Gate to Vista Point, where all traffic will be heading north bound after leaving the scenic spot. Ask nicely, and many of the friendly Bay Area residents will be happy to give you a ride north toward Sonoma County and Santa Rosa.

Get around

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.

See
  • 🌍 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. 
  • 🌍 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. 
  • 🌍 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. 
  • 🌍 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. 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. (updated Nov 2019)
  • Paradise Ridge Winery outdoor sculpture, 4545 Thomas Lake Harris Drive, ☏ +1 707 528-9463, . Daily during daylight hours. 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. Free. (updated Jul 2022)

Do
  • 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).
  • 🌍 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)
    • 🌍 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. The swimming lagoon and dining area were refurbished and reopened in 2015. Parking Μ©$7. (updated Jun 2018)
    • 🌍 Annadel State Park. 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. (updated Nov 2016)
    • 🌍 Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. 
  • Indulge in culture:
  • Sports, indoors:
    • Poppy Bank Epicenter, 3215 Coffey Lane, . Varies, depending on activity; see website. 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. No entry fee. (updated Jun 2022)
    • Session Climbing and Fitness, 965 S A St, ☏ +1 707-852-1040, . M,W,F 6AM-10PM, TuTh 9AM-10PM, SaSu 9AM-6PM. 23,000 square foot of climbing (five stories high), yoga, and other gym activities, opened June 2022. (updated Jun 2022)

Buy

Shopping malls and shopping centers
  • 🌍 Santa Rosa Plaza, 1071 Santa Rosa Plaza, ☏ +1 707 544-7467. M-F 10AM-9PM, Sa 10AM-8PM, Su 11AM-6PM. Macy's, Forever 21, J. Crew, Apple, and 100 or so more stores and kiosks in a two-story indoor mall (updated Jul 2019)
  • 🌍 Coddingtown Shopping Center, 733 Coddingtown Mall, ☏ +1 707 527-5377. M-F 10AM-9PM, Sa 10AM-8PM, Su 11AM-6PM. 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. (updated Jul 2019)
  • 🌍 Montgomery Village, Farmers Lane and Sonoma Avenue. Outdoor shopping center includes several streets of chain and local stores, a mix of boutique and more pedestrian options, and several good restaurants. 

Downtown Shopping

Downtown Santa Rosa consists of two main shopping areas, divided by Highway 101:

  • The 'main' downtown, centered around 4th St. east of Santa Rosa Plaza mall, primarily from B St. to E St., with less-concentrated options within a several-block radius of that core. Bookstores, newsstands, a music (instrument) store, small specialty shops, jewelry stores, and a number of restaurants are on offer.
  • Railroad Square, centered around 4th St. west of Santa Rosa Plaza mall and the freeway, primarily between Davis and Wilson streets. This growing area includes a number of antique shops, art galleries, and shops focusing on wares from places such as Indonesia and Mexico. A large local outdoors outfitter is on 3rd St.

Eat
  • 🌍 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. 
  • 🌍 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. at Middle Rincon Rd. 
  • Osake, 2446 Patio Ct (near Montgomery Village), ☏ +1 707 542-8282. Japanese. (updated Aug 2019)
  • Shogun, 2350 Midway Dr (Montgomery Village shopping center). 
  • The Warm Puppy, 1667 West Steele Ln (inside the Redwood Empire Ice Arena), ☏ +1 707-546-7147. This small cafΓ© 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. (updated Aug 2019)
  • St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, 100 Pythian Rd (near Oakmont, just off Highway 12), ☏ +1 707 833-0242. 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. (updated Apr 2020)
  • Bluefish Sushi & Grill, 2700 Yulupa Ave, ☏ +1 707 791-7233. Japanese and sushi. (updated Oct 2023)
  • Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens, 5007 Fulton Road, Fulton (Take the River Road exit off route 101; go west to Fulton Road, then north.), ☏ +1 866 287-9818. 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. (updated Apr 2020)

Drink
  • 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)

Sleep

Budget

Mid-range

Splurge

Go next
Routes through Santa Rosa
Eureka ← Windsor ←  N  S  β†’ Rohnert Park β†’ San Francisco
END ← Sebastopol ←  W  E  β†’ Kenwood β†’ Fairfield
END ←  N  S  β†’ Rohnert Park β†’ San Rafael


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