As the central hub of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa is the site of big-name entertainment events, as well as home-grown, uniquely Sonoma County celebrations, such as the Sonoma County Harvest Fair, the Health and Harmony Festival, Peggy Sue’s All American Cruise, the Luther Burbank Rose Parade and Festival and the Handcar Regatta. The city offers a bounty of shopping opportunities, wine tasting experi
ences, culinary delights and lodging options from moderately priced properties to luxury hotels – making Santa Rosa the North Bay’s main wine country destination to “Stay, Shop and Play.”
Attractions:
Premium shopping: You’ll find treasures and bargains alike at Santa Rosa Plaza, Montgomery Village, Coddingtown, Downtown Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Marketplace, Railroad Square and other shopping destinations. South A Street, sandwiched between the Santa Rosa Plaza and the lovely Julliard Park, provides a bohemian vibe for the alternative shopper and artsy folk. Places to stay: Lodgings in Santa Rosa include a wide range of experiences, from luxury, ultra “me time” accommodations with spa amenities to family-oriented, budget-minded comfort stays. You’ll find a variety of nationally known hotel brands, such as the Courtyard Marriott, Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel and Spa, and the Hilton Sonoma Wine Country Hotel, as well as long-time local favorites, the Fountaingrove Inn and Flamingo Conference Resort and Spa. The Melitta Station Inn, a bed and breakfast, makes you feel right at home. Whatever your needs, Santa Rosa has a hotel to fit your lifestyle. For a complete list of lodging options, please visit www.visitsantarosa.com/hotels. Downtown: The heart of Santa Rosa is filled with shops, restaurants, wine bars, microbreweries, pubs, and live-entertainment spots, and is home to the lively, seasonal Wednesday Night Market where vendors, wineries and entertainers serve happy crowds from 5-8:30 p.m., May through August. Railroad Square Historic District: The historic side of downtown Santa Rosa celebrates its heritage with specialty restaurants, boutique shops, antique stores, and the popular Sixth Street Playhouse. Wells Fargo Center for the Arts: Santa Rosa’s largest venue stages big-name concerts, plays, comedy acts, lectures and more. Sonoma County Fairgrounds: The fairgrounds hosts annual events like the Sonoma County Fair, Sonoma County Harvest Fair and Health and Harmony Festival, as well as plenty of special-interest gatherings, such as the Redwood Empire Train Show, Dressage in the Wine Country, and Roller Derby. Dining: You’ll find an amazing variety of cuisines from traditional steakhouses to sushi in this “foodie-friendly” town. American, California cuisine, Italian, French, Indian, Mexican, comfort-food diners, hamburger joints and coffee houses – we have it all – for every taste and every budget. Food Network TV star Guy Fieri calls Santa Rosa home and operates two restaurants in town, Johnny Garlic’s and Tex Wasabi’s. For a rundown on where to dine, go to www.tastesantarosa.com. Outdoor recreation: Santa Rosa boasts 57 parks within its city limits, including Annadel State Park, Spring Lake, Howarth Memorial Park/Lake Ralphine and Hood Mountain Regional Park. There are three public 18-hole golf courses: one in Bennett Valley, two in Oakmont, and one public nine-hole course in Wikiup. Dozens of bike routes traverse the city, reflecting the community’s love of pedal-powered transportation. For several years, Santa Rosa hosted a finish (and some years, a start) of the Amgen Tour of California, a world-class cycling event. Much of the year, Santa Rosa is home to famed cyclist Levi Leipheipmer, who lives here, in part, because of the extensive network of country roads that are ideal for training. Wineries: Santa Rosa is home to several wineries with tasting rooms: St. Francis, Matanzas Creek, Harvest Moon, Kendall Jackson, Battaglini, DeLoach, Pellegrini, Martin Ray, Balletto, Fisher, Sunce, Paradise Ridge, Tara Bella, Woodenhead, Hanna, Hook and Ladder, Russian River and Benovia, as well as several brand-specific tasting rooms throughout the city. Luther Burbank Home & Gardens: This unique city park preserves and makes accessible to the public the former home, greenhouse, and gardens of noted horticulturist Luther Burbank. The grounds are open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk year-round for self-guided tours, and docent-led tours are available April through October. The Pacific Coast Air Museum: Aviation enthusiasts find plenty to admire at this museum, with its displays featuring historic aircraft and heroic aviators. The museum sponsors the annual “Wings over Wine Country Air Show.”
Charles M. Schulz Museum: The museum, a true family-favorite landmark in the city, is a tribute to the life work of Santa Rosa resident, Charles “Sparky” Schulz, beloved world-wide for his “Peanuts” cartoons. Redwood Empire Ice Arena complex: Another Schulz creation, the only ice arena in the North Bay is also home to the Senior World Hockey Tournament, and is a great place to try out your skating skills.
