Need a wine country escape with small-town charm and big flavors? Head to Santa Rosa! Located in the heart of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa is a vibrant gateway to vineyards, redwood forests, and gourmet food. Whether you’re sipping local wine, hiking tranquil trails, or reliving Peanuts nostalgia, Santa Rosa blends natural beauty with California cool.
Santa Rosa, CA Highlights:
- For Adventurous Travelers: Hike and bike in Annadel State Park – Explore scenic trails through oak woodlands, wildflowers, and peaceful Lake Ilsanjo.
- For History Buffs: Visit the Luther Burbank Home & Gardens – Tour the preserved home of the world-famous horticulturist and his experimental gardens.
- For Shoppers: Browse the boutiques at Montgomery Village – Stylish outdoor shopping center with local shops, wine bars, and live music.
- For Couples: Enjoy a wine tasting tour through Sonoma County – Santa Rosa is your perfect base for romantic vineyard hopping and scenic drives.
- For Families: Explore Charles M. Schulz Museum and Snoopy’s Home Ice – Celebrate the creator of *Peanuts* with fun exhibits, ice skating, and comics history.
When I like to visit Santa Rosa, CA
The best time to visit Santa Rosa is from May to October, when the weather is sunny, dry, and ideal for wine tasting, hiking, and outdoor events. Fall is especially beautiful during harvest season in wine country.
Tips for getting to Santa Rosa, CA
- If you are traveling by car: Santa Rosa is located along US-101, about 1.5 hours north of San Francisco.
- By Air: Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS) offers direct flights from several U.S. cities and is just minutes from downtown.
- By Train/Bus: SMART rail connects nearby cities in Sonoma and Marin Counties; bus service also connects to San Francisco and beyond.
Where I like to stay in Santa Rosa, CA
- Hotel La Rose – Historic downtown boutique hotel with Old World charm and easy access to Railroad Square shops and restaurants.
- Vintners Resort – Elegant, wine country escape with gardens, spa, and fine dining on a tranquil vineyard estate.
- Flamingo Resort – Mid-century modern vibes with updated rooms, pool, wellness center, and nightlife.
Best Things to Do in Santa Rosa, CA
1. Charles M. Schulz Museum
Dedicated to the man behind the much loved Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the world-renowned Peanuts characters, the Charles M. Schulz Museum pays homage to Charles M. Schulz and his unique contribution to society through his work. The museum not only showcases the largest collection of original Peanuts art work in the world, made up of drawings and original comic strips, but also offers a range of exhibitions about the art of cartooning, how Schulz played a role in the development of the genre.
Take a peek behind the scenes at his art studio where he created the lovable characters and learn to draw your own cartoons in the museum’s hands-on education room. Watch documentaries and animated Peanuts cartoons in the state-of-the-art theater, and participate in a variety of events at the museum, including opportunities to meet professional cartoonists. The Charles M. Schulz Museum is one of the best Santa Rosa attractions.
2301 Hardies Ln, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, Phone: 707-579-4452
2. Luther Burbank Home & Gardens
Famous for being the home of renowned horticulturist, Luther Burbank Home & Gardens pay homage to the place where he lived and worked for over 50 year, as well as his horticultural genius. Born in 1849, Luther Burbank was famous for his plant breeding experiments - he introduced more than 800 new varieties of plants to the world, including fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains that we grow and eat today.
The house and gardens are a Registered National, State & City Historic Landmark and showcase Luther Burbank’s work over his time in Santa Rosa. The Carriage House Museum exhibits feature a variety of subjects reflecting on the work done by Burbank, such as his introduction of plums, prunes and plumcots. The grounds are open daily from 8 am to dusk year-round for self-guided tours, while walk-in docent-led tours run from April through October.
204 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa, California 95404, Phone: 707-524-5445
3. Museums of Sonoma County
Made up of the Art Museum of Sonoma County and the History Museum of Sonoma County, the Museums of Sonoma County are dedicated to showcasing the region’s history, art, and culture. Housed in the historic Post Office building that was built in the early 1900s in a Renaissance Revival style with stark Spanish influences, the museums are home to a collection of over 25,000 works, including historic paintings and drawings, pieces of furniture, ceramics, textiles and prints, as well as photographs, and graphics documenting the history and culture of Sonoma County during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The museums present a variety of discussions, lectures, interactive displays and educational tours and programs on a regular basis with the aim of supporting, inspiring and encouraging visitors to delve into the heritage of the area.
425 7th St, Santa Rosa, California 95401, Phone: 707-579-1500
4. Railroad Square Historic District
The Railroad Square Historic District is the historic heart of what used to be the city’s ‘Old Town’, and is now a beautiful center of preservation and heritage surrounded by architectural gems, quaint stores, antique shops, busy restaurants and vibrant cafés.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Railroad Square has a number of beautifully restored and preserved buildings that echo the bygone era of the railroad age, and charming stores selling items and antiques. The square boasts plenty of things to see and do, as well as places to dine and enjoy a drink.
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
5. Children's Museum of Sonoma County
The Children's Museum of Sonoma County inspires, stimulates and delights children through their curiosity and exploration of the arts, sciences and nature. Located on West Steel Lane, the museum offers a wonderful array of interactive exhibitions and hands-on displays for children under the age of 10.
Children can try their fort-building skills in the Wild Zone or go shopping at the Farmers Market. If you are wondering what to do in Santa Rosa with kids, this is a great place to visit.
They can fish for salmon in the Russian River, use their budding engineering skills to create water tables and participate in weekly art projects at Ella's Art Studio. The museum has a very popular Museum-on-the-Go, a mobile museum which boasts a number of superb interactive exhibits, from hydrodynamics to face painting, which can be experienced at festivals and fairs in the area.
1835 W. Steele Lane, Santa Rosa, California 95403, Phone: 707-546-4069
6. The Santa Rosa Original Certified Farmers Market
Established in 1967, The Santa Rosa Original Certified Farmers Market is a market where farmers, ranchers and artisan food producers gather to sell their delicious wares to eagerly awaiting gourmands, aficionados and food lovers. Being a ‘certified’ farmers market guarantees that all the produce is as fresh as it gets, from fruit and vegetables, honey, eggs and flowers, to meat and poultry products, all of which are grown locally.
The market offers a fantastic chance to stroll around in your own time, take in the sights, sounds and smells and chat with the vendors.
50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa, California 95403, Phone: 707-522-8629
More things to do: Safari West
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
7. California Cheese Trail
The California Cheese Trail is a tasting tour across the epicenter of California's artisanal cheese movement where you can meet artisan cheesemakers, learn all about artisan cheese and the cheesemaking process, and sample of the region’s finest cheese and other dairy products that the farms produce.
This self drive tour takes you through some of California’s most beautiful backcountry and offers an array of farms to visit, such as Cowgirl Creamery, Bravo Farms Cheese, Harley Farms Goat Dairy and Matos Cheese Factory.
Some farms are open year-round, while others require appointments to be made ahead of time.
8. Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary
Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary is a Japanese-style day spa and sanctuary that offers a tranquil and exclusive retreat. Surrounded by exquisite bonsai and bamboo gardens, the spa combines its idyllic location with luxurious amenities, a variety of vitality and wellness treatments, massages, and facials, and talented professionally trained staff. Osmosis is the only day spa in America where guests can try the Cedar Enzyme Bath.
The spa offers an array of specialized spa treatments, including massages, organic facials, and vitality and wellness programs. After your treatment, relax in the Osmosis Meditation Garden surrounded by the sounds of nature. Several packages are available, and guests can enjoy a delicious organic lunch in the scenic Picnic Grove.
209 Bohemian Hwy, Freestone, California 95472, Phone: 707-823-8231
9. St. Francis Winery and Vineyards
St. Francis Winery and Vineyards is a beautiful family-owned wine estate that has been growing and producing award-winning wine for over 40 years. Steeped in history, the farm has a long tradition of producing elegant, fruit-driven wines from Sonoma County grapes, from over 400 acres of sustainable vineyards in Sonoma and Russian River Valleys.
The estate boasts a state-of-the-art winery, which practices sustainable and eco-friendly winemaking with the aim of preserving the region’s natural resources and surrounding environment. It also features an innovative Visitor’s Center in the heart of the rolling vineyards woth a rustic bell tower whose 1,000-pound bronze bell from the Marinelli Foundry in Italy can be heard chiming across the valley every hour. Stop by the contemporary tasting room to sample some of the estate’s finest wines and tasty food surrounded by beautiful views.
100 Pythian Road, Santa Rosa, California 95409, Phone: 707-538-9463
Where I Like to Eat in Santa Rosa, CA
- Willi’s Wine Bar – Small plates and Sonoma County wines in a cozy, shareable setting.
- The Spinster Sisters – Creative American cuisine with local ingredients in the SOFA arts district.
- Bird & The Bottle – Unique menu combining Southern, Asian, and Jewish flavors in a stylish environment.
My favorite local events:
- Sonoma County Fair (August) – Carnival rides, agricultural exhibits, wine tastings, and live entertainment.
- Winter Lights Tree Lighting (November) – Holiday cheer, ice skating, and festive décor in Courthouse Square.
- Wine & Food Affair (November) – Culinary weekend of wine pairings at local wineries throughout Sonoma County.
My favorite day trips within 30 Minutes of Santa Rosa, California:
- Healdsburg (25–30 min) – Upscale wine town with art galleries, tasting rooms, and fine dining.
- Calistoga (30 min) – Famous for hot springs, mud baths, and boutique wineries in Napa Valley.
- Sonoma (30 min) – Explore the Sonoma Plaza, mission, and wineries in this historic wine capital.
- Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve (30 min) – Walk among towering redwoods in this peaceful forest park.
- Bodega Bay (30 min) – Visit the coast for seafood, whale watching, and hiking along the Pacific bluffs.
Plan Your Trip