Welcome to Santa Rosa
Sonoma County culture is enjoyed in beautiful surroundings
The cultural epicenter of Sonoma County is found in lively Santa Rosa. The expansive urban hub boasts a plethora of outdoor activities, is mere minutes from some of Northern California’s most exquisite wineries, vineyards, and breweries, and is home to many of the state’s most peaceful homes, built upon multi-acre lots, ensuring locals are never in shortage of fresh air or peace and quiet. This great balance of quiet residential neighborhoods in contrast with such a colorful cultural scene makes Santa Rosa one of California’s best places to call home.
Rich in Native American and Spanish history, Santa Rosa was established as a formal city in 1867 and continued to grow steadily, with a large boom occurring after World War II. Today, this top-ranked city has placed wine culture, art, world-class dining, and great nightlife just down the street from lucky locals, all of which are easily enjoyed 365 days a year.
What to Love
- The urban and cultural hub of Sonoma County
- Immediate access to great wine, food, bars, art, culture, and other entertainment
- The abundance of local parks and close proximity to larger sites like the Petrified Forest, Safari West, and many others
Local Lifestyle
One of Northern California’s best places to live offers a cosmopolitan lifestyle fraught with fine dining, urban parks, swanky wine bars, a hip art scene, and upscale shopping. Despite Santa Rosa’s dominant wine industry, locals actually enjoy many craft breweries, featuring rotating selections of locally inspired brews. On the more quiet side of things, biking is a favorite pastime among Santa Rosa residents. Known as one of the top biking destinations in the world, the Prince Memorial Greenway running alongside Santa Rosa Creek is a popular spot to enjoy a ride while taking in the beautiful outdoor scenery of Sonoma County.
Dining, Entertainment, and Shopping
The cultural hub of Sonoma County is sophisticated, all-encompassing, and frankly, hard to beat for a town of its size. Outdoor shopping under the California sunshine, special steakhouse dinners, and, of course, a rich glass of red can be enjoyed 365 days a year.
The quintessential steakhouse, Stark’s Steak & Seafood specializes in dry-aged beef, mouthwatering seafood accompaniments, and an impressive whiskey menu to boot. A warm dining room accented by red brick detailing has won awards from multiple publications across the country, making it one of Santa Rosa‘s best places for all of life’s special celebrations.
A life lived in Santa Rosa is not complete without experiencing one of the region's several award-winning wineries. The Korbel Winery is one of the area's most historic, featuring an on-site museum dedicated to the history and craft of creating sparkling wine. In addition to enjoying on-site wine tastings, visitors can join their wine club to receive personalized shipments and invitations to exclusive winery events.
A good afternoon of retail therapy can be enjoyed at Montgomery Village, consisting of more than 75 shops, a dozen restaurants, and other convenient businesses. Lululemon and Sur La Table are some of the nationally recognized brands, surrounded by dozens of locally-owned salons and coffee shops.
Things To Do
Being the center of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa hosts many events commemorating the area’s culture and cuisine. The Great Sonoma Crab and Wine Fest has been a springtime favorite for over three decades featuring delectable pairings of local wine paired with fresh crab from the nearby Sonoma Coast. Some of country music’s biggest stars hit the stage at the Country Summer Music Festival each June. Headliners have included Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, and many other huge names. More quiet weekends are enjoyed at Trione-Annadel State Park, featuring several miles of trails to hike, bike, and explore on horseback. This quiet park spans nearly 5,100 acres, is one of the more rural sites in the area, and also offers the most peace and solitude to its visitors.
Schools
Santa Rosa is home to educational opportunities for residents of all ages. From youngsters to those looking for a post-high school degree, some great local options are found at:
- Summerfield Waldorf School & Farm, prekindergarten-12th grade; students benefit from an astounding 7:1 student-teacher ratio, resulting in a perfect 100% graduation rate
- Victory Christian Academy, transitional kindergarten-12th grade; a small school also boasts a low 11:1 student-teacher ratio to ensure each student receives the attention they deserve
- Sonoma Academy, grades 9-12; the only independent high school in Sonoma County, is also one of the best in the state, with an impressive STEM program to prepare students for jobs of the future
- Santa Rosa Junior College; over 100 majors and 150 certificate programs are offered, allowing students from all walks of life to expand their educational horizons
