Located in California's Sonoma County, this city is the birthplace of Peanuts creator Charles Schulz and home to the largest collection of his original artwork at the Schulz Museum.
Santa Rosa, the largest city in California’s Wine Country, sits 55 miles north of San Francisco between vineyards, redwood groves, and the Russian River. Visit Russian River Brewing Company in Railroad Square’s brick buildings or spend an afternoon at the Charles M. Schulz Museum with its Snoopy-themed exhibits. Ride bikes along separated paths to Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve or watch the Luther Burbank Rose Parade each spring. Cool winters and warm summers make this city a reliable starting point for Sonoma County’s wine estates, coastal paths, and downtown areas reconstructed after the 1906 earthquake. You’ll find working farms growing grapes and apples within 20 minutes of city limits.
Downtown Santa Rosa: Cafes, Shops, and History
Begin at Old Courthouse Square, where coffee shops and clothing stores operate under large oak trees planted in the 1880s. The Santa Rosa Visitor Center in Railroad Square occupies a restored 1903 train depot, with maps for self-guided tours of the district’s brick buildings. Catch a comedy show at 6th Street Playhouse or view pottery from Pomo tribes at the Sonoma County Museum’s rotating gallery. The McDonald Mansion on McDonald Avenue displays Victorian-era design elements that survived the 1906 fire. Fourth Street attracts shoppers with its handmade jewelry stores and restaurants serving Sonoma-raised meats and vegetables.
Wineries and Breweries to Visit
More than 400 wineries operate within 60 minutes of Santa Rosa, including Donelan Family Wines near Bennett Valley and Matanzas Creek Winery with its June lavender blooms. At Russian River Brewing Company’s original location, try their Pliny the Elder IPA during weekday brewery tours. Moonlight Brewing Company near Industrial Drive brews malty Death & Taxes black lager using German methods. Downtown tasting rooms like Paradise Ridge pour Sauvignon Blanc flights daily from 11 AM. Book a guided van tour to family-owned vineyards in Dry Creek Valley, where fifth-generation growers explain Zinfandel production techniques.
Parks and Trails for Hiking and Cycling
Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve shelters ancient redwoods along flat walking paths like the Pioneer Trail, with informational signs about tree ecology. Hike Taylor Mountain’s steep 3.5-mile path to see Mount St. Helena on clear days or rent kayaks at Spring Lake’s boat dock from April through October. Cyclists train on winding roads through Kenwood that professional riders use during the Tour of California races. Attend free astronomy nights at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, where volunteers help visitors spot galaxies through the Robert Ferguson Observatory’s telescopes. The park’s Meadow Trail stays open until 10 PM during summer stargazing events.
Museums and Local History
Original Peanuts comic strips fill three floors at the Charles M. Schulz Museum, including sketches of Woodstock and Charlie Brown rejected by early editors. Skate under Snoopy sculptures during public ice sessions at the adjacent Redwood Empire Ice Arena. The Luther Burbank Home gives guided tours of greenhouse labs where Burbank created spineless cacti and plum-apricot hybrids. Aviation buffs examine Vietnam War helicopters at the Pacific Coast Air Museum’s outdoor display area. Don’t miss the Church of One Tree on Sonoma Avenue, carved entirely from one 600-year-old redwood in 1873.
Festivals and Seasonal Events
Over 10,000 people line Fourth Street every May for the Luther Burbank Rose Parade, watching high school bands and vintage Ford Mustangs drive past sidewalk vendors selling tamales. Earth Day celebrations in April turn Courthouse Square into a hub for composting demonstrations and electric vehicle test drives. Local artists display oil paintings of Sonoma landscapes at the Finley Community Center’s free winter art show. During December, donate unwrapped toys at the “Stuff the Bus” campaign outside Santa Rosa Plaza mall. Free jazz concerts happen every Friday evening in July at Juilliard Park, celebrating the series’ 30th year in 2025.
Getting Around and Staying Informed
Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport has daily flights to Las Vegas and San Diego, with rental car counters in Terminal 1. Take the SMART train from Downtown Station to Petaluma’s waterfront in 35 minutes or board Golden Gate Transit Bus 101 to reach San Francisco’s Ferry Building. Morning fog typically clears by 11 AM from June to September, so pack a light jacket for early bike rides. Stay at mid-century motor lodges along Cleveland Avenue or modern hotels like Hotel La Rose near Railroad Square. Check trail closures due to fire risk on the Sonoma County Regional Parks website before hiking in late summer.
