Welcome to Windsor
Where friends and family come together in the great outdoors
Located less than ten miles north of Santa Rosa and surrounded by dozens of beautiful vineyards, the town of Windsor is a sporty, down-to-earth community of friendly neighbors. Quaint sidewalks reminiscent of old-fashioned main streets, wide-open parks, and an excellent culinary scene bring character, charm, and flair, attracting those seeking refuge from fast-paced city life, while also offering a peaceful haven to head home to at day's end.
The first settlers arrived in the 1850s and named the community Windsor for its striking resemblance to the grounds of England’s Windsor Castle. As the town grew and constructed more businesses, the completion of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad offered convenient transportation around the region and to the Bay Area. Today, the railroad is gone but the community has grown in other ways. Neighborhoods established on the scenic hillsides boast beautiful homes overlooking the valley, where nature and modernity have come together as one.
What to Love
- Sporty community with several parks, preserves, sporting courts and fields, and other outdoor recreation
- Close-knit community boasting friendly neighbors, great schools, and a charming aura
- Surrounded by world-class wine, restaurants, and hospitality
Local Lifestyle
Windsor offers all the makings of a wonderful small town. Great schools, convenient local businesses, and a fun downtown district all contribute to a superb standard of living. This sense of community is best seen and experienced through community parks and recreational facilities, where residents of all ages gather for fun and leisure. This multi-award-winning community also features several shopping plazas and dining establishments to enjoy free time with friends and loved ones.
Dining, Entertainment, and Shopping
Windsors Town Green is a great place to dine, play, gather, and enjoy life. Southern-inspired bites, old-fashioned candy stores, and craft breweries offering an alternative to the area’s intense wine culture are just a few of the joys which await your discovery.
While Windsor is situated within the heart of Sonoma County, it is also home to several great local brewpubs, like Russian River Brewing Company. Established in 1997, visitors enjoy a communal vibe with long tables and views of the open kitchen while sampling a constantly rotating selection of in-house favorites. Pub favorites are savored alongside best-selling creations like the Happy Hops IPA or Russian River Porter, to name a few.
Brick oven pizzas featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients are found at Pizzaleah. Unique pies with decadent toppings like hot honey, caramelized onions, and creamy ricotta cheese have been served by this award-winning team for years, earning a solid reputation among both locals and visitors alike.
Southern hospitality is realized at Sweet T’s. Barbecue, southern comforts, and craft cocktails are enjoyed in a rustic yet upscale atmosphere of rich wooden accents and ambient lighting. Southern-style fried chicken, Cajun shrimp gumbo, brisket, and loaded deviled eggs are just a few of their top sellers, all of which are best followed with a slice of their traditional butter cake.
Nostalgia reigns supreme at Cravin’s Candy Emporium. This old-fashioned candy shop carries an extensive assortment of chocolates, fruity candy, gelato, homemade fudge, and less-commonly found treats, all of which will bring out the child in any visitor.
Things To Do
Windsor hosts numerous annual events, offering a diverse array of fun for residents of all ages. On Tuesdays from June through August, family-friendly entertainment is found at Movies on the Green, taking place on Windsor Town Green around sunset. In the springtime, adults in town look forward to Russian River Brewing Company’s Pliny the Younger Beer Release. For a limited two weeks, one of their most popular brews is released in limited quantities for their tasting room or to go in growlers. Russian River does encourage showing up early - lines can be lengthy for those waiting to enjoy this yearly tradition! In the cooler months of the year, the Windsor Half Marathon begins at Windsor Town Green and leads attendees across just over 21 kilometers of the region to enjoy some of the area’s most beautiful fall colors. However, Windsor’s outdoor beauty can be appreciated year-round at Foothill Regional Park. This 211-acre preserve features miles and miles of trails waiting to be explored, three fishing ponds, beautiful hills, and chances to observe native wildlife and flowers.
Schools
Windsor offers several highly rated educational options for students, both public and private. A few great examples include:
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Windsor Christian Academy, preschool-8th grade; smaller school fostering a creative environment while ensuring students are adequately prepared for the next level of their education and life outside of school
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Windsor High School, grades 9-12; one of California’s better public high schools, also boasts a great college preparatory program and athletic department
