Santa Rosa (California)

History

Santa Rosa's history is rich in culture and many different groups have called the area their home. Pomo, Miwok, and Wappo Indians originally populated 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 officially confirmed the incorporation, making it officially 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.

By car

Santa Rosa is 55 miles north of San Francisco, via Highway 101. Depending on traffic conditions, this drive is as brisk as an hour and as long as two hours. It is best to avoid the 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 bus

Golden Gate Transit offers bus service out of San Francisco, and around the Bay Area every day of the week. The buses are large and comfortable, but are subject to the same traffic delays despite having access to the carpool lanes up and down Highway 101.
Greyhound offers rides into Santa Rosa from around the Bay Area, including San Francisco, Oakland, and the South Bay area.

• Golden Gate Transit, +1-415-455-2000, from Sonoma and Marin counties.
• Greyhound, +1-800-231-2222, offers transit around the Bay Area.

By plane

• Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County AirportYou can also fly Alaska Airlines to Charles M. Schulz Airport nonstop from Seattle, Portland, San Diego, and Los Angeles.

By boat

Although none of the ferries in the San Francisco Bay Area extend as far as Santa Rosa, they can be used as a connection to the numerous bus services to the North Bay, while providing fantastic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco skyline.

• Golden Gate Ferries, +1-415-455-2000. Serving Larkspur and Sausalito. The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit project will eventually connect Santa Rosa to the Larkspur ferry.
• Blue and Gold Fleet, +1-415-705-8200. Serving Alameda, Angel Island, Oakland, Sausalito, Tiburon and Vallejo.

By train

Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit, or SMART, connects Santa Rosa with Sonoma County Airport, Rohnert Park, Petaluma, Novato, and San Rafael.
The 70-mile train and bike path will eventually connect to the Golden Gate Ferry in Larkspur and provide mass transit between some of the most major cities in the Wine Country. is the station that serves downtown, located next to the historic station at 7 4th Street.

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.

Being largely suburban, a personal vehicle remains the most common method of getting around Santa Rosa and the surrounding area. There is, however, 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.

• Charles M. Schulz Museum

  phone: +1 707 579-4452
  address: 2301 Hardies Ln
  Celebrating Mr. Schulz's world-famous creation: the Peanuts comic strip.

• 6th Street Playhouse

  phone: +1 707 523-4185
  address: 52 West 6th St
  A state-of-the-art professional theatre facility, home of the Santa Rosa Players and the Actors Theatre, located in downtown's historic Railroad Square District. The 2005/2006 season features eight shows: 4 musicals by the Santa Rosa Players and 4 contemporary plays by the Actors Theatre.

• Safari West

  phone: +1 707 579-2551
  address: 3115 Porter Creek Rd
  A 400 acre wildlife preserve that is home to over 400 mammals and birds.

• Luther Burbank Home and Gardens

  phone: +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.

• Sonoma County Museum

  phone: +1 707-579-1500
  address: 425 7th St
  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.

• 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. With 16 golf courses in the county, you're bound to find one that suits your tastes.

• Redwood Empire Ice ArenaThis well-known ice rink also known as "Snoopy's Home Ice" features Snoopy and the gang and was once owned by none other than Charles M. Schulz himself. It is located just across Hardies Lane from the Schulz museum.

• Hike the county and state parksA 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:

• 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.

• Spring Lake Regional Park

  phone: +1 707 539-8092
  address: 393 Violetti Rd
  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.

• Annadel State ParkA 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.

• Sugarloaf Ridge State Park

Shopping malls and shopping centers

• Santa Rosa Plaza

  phone: +1 707 544-7467
  address: 1071 Santa Rosa Plaza
  Macy's, Forever 21, J. Crew, Apple, and 100 or so more stores and kiosks in a two-story indoor mall

• Coddingtown

  phone: +1 707 527-5377
  address: 733 Coddingtown Mall
  This over 40-year-old 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.

• Montgomery Village

  address: Farmers Lane and Sonoma Avenue
  Outdoor shopping center includes several streets of chain and local stores, a mix of boutique and more pedestrian options, as well as 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.

• Fourth Street Deli

  address: 300 Mendocino Ave
  Sandwiches and salads. Great place to grab lunch to eat at the park across the street.

• El Patio

  address: 901 4th St
  Excellent and inexpensive Mexican food. A fixture for locals since the 1990s.

• Lepe's Taqueria

  address: 4323 Montgomery Dr
  Delicious Mexican cuisine, fast-food style. Indoor and outdoor seating, close to Spring Lake and Howarth Park.

• Shogun

  address: 2350 Midway Dr

• Osake

  phone: +1 707 542-8282
  address: 2446 Patio Ct
  Japanese.

• Mary's Pizza ShackFamily-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).

• El Charro

  phone: +1 707 570-2387
  address: 1529 Farmers Ln
  Good Mexican food.

• Oliver's MarketLocal 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.

• Third Street Aleworks

  address: 3rd St
  Popular brewpub with good food. Both bar- and restaurant-style seating available, plus patio seating in good weather and billiards upstairs. Frequently loud.

• The Warm Puppy

  phone: +1 707-546-7147
  address: 1667 West Steele Ln
  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.

• La Gare

  phone: +1 707-528-4355
  address: 208 Wilson St
  French/Swiss cuisine. Local favorite.

• Ca' Bianca Ristorante Italiano

  phone: +1 707 542-5800
  address: 835 2nd St
  Excellent Italian food. Restaurant is in a large converted Victorian house in a quiet neighborhood near downtown, and so can be easily missed.

• Yao-Kiku

  phone: +1 707 578-8180
  address: 2700 Yulupa Avenue Suite #23
  Excellent Japanese food, sushi, and sashimi. Arguably the most authentic Japanese restaurant in the area, as the menu and specials often include items not typically seen in Japanese restaurants in America, such as ume-shiso maki and various natto dishes.

• Russian River Brewing Company

  address: 725 4th St
  Perhaps now overshadowed by the much larger version in Windsor, this homey haunt offers specialty pizza, pub grub, and word-class ales.

• The 440 ClubThe 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.

Budget

• Motel 6 Santa Rosa

  phone: +1 707 525-9010
  address: 3145 Cleveland Ave

Mid-range

• Best Western Garden Inn

  phone: +1 707 546-4031
  address: 1500 Santa Rosa Ave

• Extended Stay America - North

  phone: +1 707 541-0959
  address: 100 Fountain Grove Parkway

• Extended Stay America - South

  phone: +1 707 546-4808
  address: 2600 Corby Ave

• Flamingo Resort Hotel

  address: 277 4th St

Splurge

• Courtyard Santa Rosa

  phone: +1 707 573-9000
  address: 175 Railroad St

• Hotel La Rose

  phone: +1 707 579-3200
  address: 308 Wilson St
  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.

• Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country

  phone: +1 707 284-1234
  address: 170 Railroad St
  Part of the Hyatt family of hotels, this Mediterranean styled hotel is located in historic Railroad Square and features amenities such as a on-site spa, sauna, bar, and free parking. Rates average $300.

• Vintners Inn

  address: 4350 Barnes Rd