Guidebook for Santa Rosa
Parks & Nature
A beautiful, easy loop around two lakes. Actually it's an old reclaimed gravel pit, the most beautiful gravel pit you'll ever visit, surrounded by redwoods. There's a turn off so you can get down to the river. It's a flat, dirt path and can get a bit muddy in the winter, about 2 miles. Parking $7, pay at meter.
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Riverfront Regional Park
7821 Eastside RdA beautiful, easy loop around two lakes. Actually it's an old reclaimed gravel pit, the most beautiful gravel pit you'll ever visit, surrounded by redwoods. There's a turn off so you can get down to the river. It's a flat, dirt path and can get a bit muddy in the winter, about 2 miles. Parking $7, pay at meter.
About a 2.4 mile paved loop, Spring Lake is a regional park, kind of Santa Rosa's idea of a central park. $7 parking. Beautiful but maybe a bit more populated than some of the other options.
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Spring Lake
About a 2.4 mile paved loop, Spring Lake is a regional park, kind of Santa Rosa's idea of a central park. $7 parking. Beautiful but maybe a bit more populated than some of the other options.
It's beautiful! You could spend a good part of the day hiking here. Also, a popular biking spot. If you don't have a State Park pass, pay for parking at the station.
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Trione-Annadel State Park
6201 Channel DrIt's beautiful! You could spend a good part of the day hiking here. Also, a popular biking spot. If you don't have a State Park pass, pay for parking at the station.
Jack London was one interesting guy! His wife was his match in every way. You can see his home and his dream home remains that burned down mere days before they were to move in. Don't miss the pig palace.
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Jack London State Historic Park
2400 London Ranch RdJack London was one interesting guy! His wife was his match in every way. You can see his home and his dream home remains that burned down mere days before they were to move in. Don't miss the pig palace.
Howarth Park is a city park and connects to Spring Lake Regional Park which connects to Annadel State Park. If you don't mind a little extra walking (maybe 2/3 mile?) you can park your car here and walk into Spring Lake and save the parking fee. It's also a pretty walk. Follow the main path near the small lake.
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Howarth Park
630 Summerfield RdHowarth Park is a city park and connects to Spring Lake Regional Park which connects to Annadel State Park. If you don't mind a little extra walking (maybe 2/3 mile?) you can park your car here and walk into Spring Lake and save the parking fee. It's also a pretty walk. Follow the main path near the small lake.
You can take the easy trail -- Todd Creek and get in and out of there in 1.5 miles. Access that trail over by the Porta Potties. Look for the sign just past the water reservoir. You'll wind through some Oaks and come out through an open meadow. A very slight incline. If you want to get some real exercise, do the loop. It's maybe a little over 2 miles but it has some serious incline or decline depending on your approach. The hilly part can get seriously muddy when the weather is inclement. The views are nice from the harder trail.
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Taylor Mountain Regional Park
2080 Kawana TerraceYou can take the easy trail -- Todd Creek and get in and out of there in 1.5 miles. Access that trail over by the Porta Potties. Look for the sign just past the water reservoir. You'll wind through some Oaks and come out through an open meadow. A very slight incline. If you want to get some real exercise, do the loop. It's maybe a little over 2 miles but it has some serious incline or decline depending on your approach. The hilly part can get seriously muddy when the weather is inclement. The views are nice from the harder trail.
I absolutely love this place in winter. My preferred access point is 3000 Los Alamos Road. Such a beautiful to place to visit just after a heavy rain. If you walk down the trail at the first opportunity instead of staying on the main trail, you'll head to a beautiful major creek. A word of warning, the road here is narrow and winding. The views are phenomenal. At one point it's literally one car wide with no guard rail and a sheer drop off. If you encounter another vehicle coming the other direction, it can be a little terrifying, especially if you both have large vehicles and the other driver is a bonehead and it's raining hard. (Yep, that's the voice of experience.) But, oh, the beauty!
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Hood Mountain Regional Park
8006 Pythian RdI absolutely love this place in winter. My preferred access point is 3000 Los Alamos Road. Such a beautiful to place to visit just after a heavy rain. If you walk down the trail at the first opportunity instead of staying on the main trail, you'll head to a beautiful major creek. A word of warning, the road here is narrow and winding. The views are phenomenal. At one point it's literally one car wide with no guard rail and a sheer drop off. If you encounter another vehicle coming the other direction, it can be a little terrifying, especially if you both have large vehicles and the other driver is a bonehead and it's raining hard. (Yep, that's the voice of experience.) But, oh, the beauty!
Valley of the Moon Hiking Trail. If you're heading out Sonoma way. This is a lovely place to stop. You can walk the easy paved path which dead ends about a mile in or choose from many single track hilly options. This park suffered major burns in last year's fire but the amount of regrowth is truly remarkable.
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Sonoma Valley Regional Park
13630 Sonoma HwyValley of the Moon Hiking Trail. If you're heading out Sonoma way. This is a lovely place to stop. You can walk the easy paved path which dead ends about a mile in or choose from many single track hilly options. This park suffered major burns in last year's fire but the amount of regrowth is truly remarkable.
The name says it all. It's a gulch that heads straight down to the beach. There's only maybe 10 parking spots and there's hardly ever more than a handful of people on the beach. Dogs allowed on the beach. A bit of an incline back out. $7 parking. There are bathrooms at the small parking lot.
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Pinnacle Gulch Trail
20600 Mockingbird DrThe name says it all. It's a gulch that heads straight down to the beach. There's only maybe 10 parking spots and there's hardly ever more than a handful of people on the beach. Dogs allowed on the beach. A bit of an incline back out. $7 parking. There are bathrooms at the small parking lot.
Arts & Culture
Because Charles M Schulz is Santa Rosa's favorite adopted son, don't you know. Movie theater has some surprisingly interesting history clips. Plus, who doesn't love Snoopy? Less than 5 minutes from the house.
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Charles M. Schulz Museum
2301 Hardies LnBecause Charles M Schulz is Santa Rosa's favorite adopted son, don't you know. Movie theater has some surprisingly interesting history clips. Plus, who doesn't love Snoopy? Less than 5 minutes from the house.
Shopping
Santa Rosa is not really known for its awesome shopping experience, but Montgomery Village is quaint. They have a great spice shop, Lululemon, Sur La Table, and some good eateries.
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Montgomery Village Shopping Center
2404 Village CtSanta Rosa is not really known for its awesome shopping experience, but Montgomery Village is quaint. They have a great spice shop, Lululemon, Sur La Table, and some good eateries.
Target
950 Coddingtown CenterA collection of eclectic shops, eateries, breweries, and tasting rooms.
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The Barlow
6770 McKinley StA collection of eclectic shops, eateries, breweries, and tasting rooms.
Essentials
Oliver's Market is everyone's favorite high end gourmet grocery store. Yum, yum, yum. There's a few in the area--my favorite is in Windsor. The one closest to our home is on Stony Point Rd. This part of town is hectic! Drive careful.
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Oliver's Market - Stony Point
461 Stony Point RdOliver's Market is everyone's favorite high end gourmet grocery store. Yum, yum, yum. There's a few in the area--my favorite is in Windsor. The one closest to our home is on Stony Point Rd. This part of town is hectic! Drive careful.
Old reliable! Very close. Is located in small mall attached to a Target. You can access one from the other passing a Sees Candies on the way. I need that kind of motivation to shop.
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Whole Foods Market
390 Coddingtown MallOld reliable! Very close. Is located in small mall attached to a Target. You can access one from the other passing a Sees Candies on the way. I need that kind of motivation to shop.
Entertainment & Activities
About a 7 minute drive from here. This one seems a little less seedy than the one that's located downtown. But hey, you came for the Santa Rosa experience! Go downtown!
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Reading Cinemas Rohnert Park
555 Rohnert Park ExpyAbout a 7 minute drive from here. This one seems a little less seedy than the one that's located downtown. But hey, you came for the Santa Rosa experience! Go downtown!
All the major releases walking distance from the house, plus lots of restaurants in the vicinity to choose from.
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Roxy Stadium 14
85 Santa Rosa AveAll the major releases walking distance from the house, plus lots of restaurants in the vicinity to choose from.
Drinks & Nightlife
New-ish. Small plates with heavy emphasis on killer artisanal cocktails. It's located upstairs in Courthouse Square so a lot of people overlook it. People go for the food early in the evening but as the night progresses it becomes more of a bar scene. Also, a few large plate options, my recommendation - hanger steak.
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Perch + Plow
90 Old Courthouse SqNew-ish. Small plates with heavy emphasis on killer artisanal cocktails. It's located upstairs in Courthouse Square so a lot of people overlook it. People go for the food early in the evening but as the night progresses it becomes more of a bar scene. Also, a few large plate options, my recommendation - hanger steak.
Because coming to Santa Rosa and not going to Russian River Brewing is like going to Anaheim and not going to Disneyland. Just saying. Get the sampler. Walk back or Uber. You'll need to.
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Russian River Brewing Company - Santa Rosa Location
725 4th StBecause coming to Santa Rosa and not going to Russian River Brewing is like going to Anaheim and not going to Disneyland. Just saying. Get the sampler. Walk back or Uber. You'll need to.
St. Francis has the most amazing Food & Wine pairing event. You'll need to book reservations early. They book out weeks ahead of time. Make a reservation if you can. There's 3 seatings a day. If you haven't made reservations and there's just a couple of you, you can always try calling in the morning and see if they've had any cancellations.
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St. Francis Winery and Vineyard
100 Pythian RdSt. Francis has the most amazing Food & Wine pairing event. You'll need to book reservations early. They book out weeks ahead of time. Make a reservation if you can. There's 3 seatings a day. If you haven't made reservations and there's just a couple of you, you can always try calling in the morning and see if they've had any cancellations.
An amazingly relaxing wine tasting experience sitting outside among the redwoods. If the weather is not hospitable to sitting outside, better to go there on another day. The inside in unremarkable.
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Russian River Vineyards
5700 California 116An amazingly relaxing wine tasting experience sitting outside among the redwoods. If the weather is not hospitable to sitting outside, better to go there on another day. The inside in unremarkable.
A large venue located right on Dry Creek which surprisingly is never dry--the water is coming from Lake Sonoma. My favorite place to sit is on the Adirondack chairs next to the creek. You can also sit on the lawn next to the goats, in the garden, or on the picnic benches. They often have live music. The tasting fee is less than a lot of places.
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Truett Hurst
5610 Dry Creek RdA large venue located right on Dry Creek which surprisingly is never dry--the water is coming from Lake Sonoma. My favorite place to sit is on the Adirondack chairs next to the creek. You can also sit on the lawn next to the goats, in the garden, or on the picnic benches. They often have live music. The tasting fee is less than a lot of places.
Got a movie buff in your group? Then go to Francis Ford Coppola Winery. There's quite a bit of movie memorabilia to peruse in addition to a number of different tasting locations--skip the obvious and look around first. Also, there's a full service hard liquor bar and a restaurant that's quite good. I'd rather go to Diavola's Pizzeria instead though. A side note, the pool is open to the public (for a fee) in the summer although wine members get put to the top of the list and non-members grumble they can never get in. There's often long lines in the summer with people hoping to get lucky and score a spot.
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Francis Ford Coppola Winery
300 Via ArchimedesGot a movie buff in your group? Then go to Francis Ford Coppola Winery. There's quite a bit of movie memorabilia to peruse in addition to a number of different tasting locations--skip the obvious and look around first. Also, there's a full service hard liquor bar and a restaurant that's quite good. I'd rather go to Diavola's Pizzeria instead though. A side note, the pool is open to the public (for a fee) in the summer although wine members get put to the top of the list and non-members grumble they can never get in. There's often long lines in the summer with people hoping to get lucky and score a spot.
Food Scene
Their burger has a mix of meats which is so much more flavorful than the usual. The duck fat french fries are amazing. Leave your diet at the door. Drink some beer.
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Beer Baron Bar & Kitchen
614 4th StTheir burger has a mix of meats which is so much more flavorful than the usual. The duck fat french fries are amazing. Leave your diet at the door. Drink some beer.
Kind of a locals place. Thin crust pizza and salads with a relatively limited selection, but everything is taaaasssty! Low key, a little pricier than you'd expect but not enough to make you mad.
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Rosso
53 Montgomery DrKind of a locals place. Thin crust pizza and salads with a relatively limited selection, but everything is taaaasssty! Low key, a little pricier than you'd expect but not enough to make you mad.
Walking distance from the house. Funky, hip & modern. Other breakfast places are more old school. They have just moved to a new location. The new address is: 544 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa. Literally across College Ave plus a couple hundred steps. Walk there!
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the naked pig
640 5th StWalking distance from the house. Funky, hip & modern. Other breakfast places are more old school. They have just moved to a new location. The new address is: 544 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa. Literally across College Ave plus a couple hundred steps. Walk there!
Not exactly authentic, but it's good. It's a larger restaurant, not too expensive. Good for couples, groups, or families. Medium size bar area. It's always a happening spot.
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La Rosa | Tequileria & Grille
500 4th StNot exactly authentic, but it's good. It's a larger restaurant, not too expensive. Good for couples, groups, or families. Medium size bar area. It's always a happening spot.
A true locals secret. This place has been in business forever. Inside it's strictly counter seating. Outside there's 2 tables that seat 4 and maybe 3 tables that seat 2. Get there early or plan on getting to-go. It's just burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, and totally awesome shakes. It's the shakes that get me.
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Superburger
1501 4th StA true locals secret. This place has been in business forever. Inside it's strictly counter seating. Outside there's 2 tables that seat 4 and maybe 3 tables that seat 2. Get there early or plan on getting to-go. It's just burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, and totally awesome shakes. It's the shakes that get me.
If you're heading out Sonoma way, do yourself a favor and save some space for some real deal Mexican food. This upscaled, fast casual style, mostly outdoor dining experience has the best tamales around. Order on the inside, then go find yourself a spot. Listen carefully for your name to be called. It's always the same guy and he's hard to hear. They do have beer and wine. Yuppie types like to hit this place up after wine tasting.
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El Molino Central
11 Central AveIf you're heading out Sonoma way, do yourself a favor and save some space for some real deal Mexican food. This upscaled, fast casual style, mostly outdoor dining experience has the best tamales around. Order on the inside, then go find yourself a spot. Listen carefully for your name to be called. It's always the same guy and he's hard to hear. They do have beer and wine. Yuppie types like to hit this place up after wine tasting.
Love this pizza place. Love the pizzas, love the salads. Geyserville, if you're not familiar, is literally a handful of fairly dilapidated looking turn of the century buildings. Don't let that put you off. It's worth the drive. Hit up some wineries while you're in the area.
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Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria
21021 Geyserville AvenueLove this pizza place. Love the pizzas, love the salads. Geyserville, if you're not familiar, is literally a handful of fairly dilapidated looking turn of the century buildings. Don't let that put you off. It's worth the drive. Hit up some wineries while you're in the area.
A barbecue spot. Order at the counter. Take your number to your table. Oddly you pay after you eat. You can order your meat by ounces which is nice. They have a good seared Ahi salad.
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KINSmoke
304 Center StA barbecue spot. Order at the counter. Take your number to your table. Oddly you pay after you eat. You can order your meat by ounces which is nice. They have a good seared Ahi salad.
This place is hoppin'! And amazing! They don't take reservations so plan on a wait. Some items you can order at the bar but you can't order in the restaurant section, or at least it was that way last we visited. If you have to wait, muscle your way up to one of the bars and order pork belly or seared mushroom. Order something! Don't miss the opportunity. The ramen is amazing. Nothing better on a rainy, cold evening.
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Ramen Gaijin
6948 Sebastopol AveThis place is hoppin'! And amazing! They don't take reservations so plan on a wait. Some items you can order at the bar but you can't order in the restaurant section, or at least it was that way last we visited. If you have to wait, muscle your way up to one of the bars and order pork belly or seared mushroom. Order something! Don't miss the opportunity. The ramen is amazing. Nothing better on a rainy, cold evening.
Celebrating somebody's birthday? Sift Dessert Bar won Food Network's Cupcake Wars competition. Literally walking distance from our house, it's a perfect place to pick up a selection of cupcakes to celebrate somebody's special day. They also have macarons and maybe some cookies and whoopee pies. Frankly, I can't remember. I get a little distracted by all the pretty cupcakes.
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Sift Dessert Bar
404 Mendocino AveCelebrating somebody's birthday? Sift Dessert Bar won Food Network's Cupcake Wars competition. Literally walking distance from our house, it's a perfect place to pick up a selection of cupcakes to celebrate somebody's special day. They also have macarons and maybe some cookies and whoopee pies. Frankly, I can't remember. I get a little distracted by all the pretty cupcakes.
Straightforward breakfast & brunch place. My favorite is actually the salad with a poached egg. You could walk there from here, but it'll take you about 22-25 minutes at a pokey pace. On the plus side, you'd have the opportunity to walk through the MacDonald Historic District which is the premier historic area of Santa Rosa. There's some rather pretty large old beauties in this neighborhood. Worth a stroll.
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Dierk's Midtown Café
1422 4th StStraightforward breakfast & brunch place. My favorite is actually the salad with a poached egg. You could walk there from here, but it'll take you about 22-25 minutes at a pokey pace. On the plus side, you'd have the opportunity to walk through the MacDonald Historic District which is the premier historic area of Santa Rosa. There's some rather pretty large old beauties in this neighborhood. Worth a stroll.
Got a hankering for ice cream? It's worth a 15 minute drive out to Sebastopol to have some Screamin' Mimi's Ice Cream. Yummy all made in-house ice cream. Located extremely close to The Barlow and way better than the liquid nitrogen ice cream offering that's actually located in The Barlow. (Throwing some shade there.)
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Screamin' Mimi's
6902 Sebastopol AveGot a hankering for ice cream? It's worth a 15 minute drive out to Sebastopol to have some Screamin' Mimi's Ice Cream. Yummy all made in-house ice cream. Located extremely close to The Barlow and way better than the liquid nitrogen ice cream offering that's actually located in The Barlow. (Throwing some shade there.)
A higher end dining experience. Charlie Palmer just gets it. Spend sometime ahead of your meal enjoying downtown Healdsburg.
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Dry Creek Kitchen
317 Healdsburg AveA higher end dining experience. Charlie Palmer just gets it. Spend sometime ahead of your meal enjoying downtown Healdsburg.
After eating a casual meal somewhere in Healdsburg, it only makes sense to stop for a piece of pie, right? Take it to-go and have a seat in the park. Share it with that special someone. Oh, and don't forget a dollop of ice cream on top.
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Noble Folk Ice Cream & Pie Bar
116 Matheson StAfter eating a casual meal somewhere in Healdsburg, it only makes sense to stop for a piece of pie, right? Take it to-go and have a seat in the park. Share it with that special someone. Oh, and don't forget a dollop of ice cream on top.