The city of Santa Rosa rests on the Santa Rosa Plain, stretching East into the Valley of the Moon and West into the Laguna de Santa Rosa Wetlands. Despite being the 5th most populated city in the San Francisco Bay Area, it retains its small-town charm. Well invested in developing its arts community, they boast an impressive public art portfolio. Artists from throughout the Bay Area have found Santa Rosa to be a creative hub that is accessible, supportive and centrally located. Santa Rosa is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, wine lovers, foodies and students.
The recently redeveloped Court House Square showcases this communities commitment to preserving the vibrancy of their historic downtown. Here, you will find a harmonious blend of old and new whether it’s architecture, dining, entertainment, or shopping. Visit the Shultz Museum, Luther Burbank Gardens, the Flamingo Hotel, or Railroad Square and you will find that Santa Rosa is invested in preserving its distinct and inviting culture.
Bennett Valley
Burbank Gardens
Cherry Street
Downtown
Fountaingrove
Historic Railroad Square
Junior College
McDonald
Monroe
Northwest Santa Rosa
Oakmont Village
Proctor Terrace
Ridgway
Rincon Valley
Roseland
Southwest Santa Rosa
St. Rose
West End
Santa Rosa’s food scene has something for every craving. Downtown around Courthouse Square and Fourth Street is packed with chef-driven restaurants, casual eateries, and cocktail bars, while Railroad Square and the surrounding neighborhoods add beer gardens, Italian favorites, and relaxed spots to unwind. With Sonoma County farms close by, fresh local ingredients show up on menus all over town.
Santa Rosa offers a fun mix of shopping, from the antique and vintage shops of Historic Railroad Square to the boutiques of downtown and the open-air shops at Montgomery Village. Locally owned stores carry clothing, home goods, gifts, and one-of-a-kind finds that reflect the city’s creative, laid-back style.
Santa Rosa makes it easy to enjoy the outdoors and the arts. Walk or paddle at Spring Lake Regional Park, hike the trails at Taylor Mountain, see giraffes and rhinos up close at Safari West, or catch a show at the arts center. With wine country right outside town, a vineyard tour is never far away.
Santa Rosa enjoys a classic wine country climate with warm, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. Summer afternoons are often warm and sunny, while morning fog and evening breezes from the coast help cool things down. Winters bring mild temperatures and seasonal rain that keep the hills green and support the vineyards and farms that surround the city.
Highway 101 runs straight through Santa Rosa, and the drive to San Francisco usually takes about an hour and 15 minutes, depending on traffic. The SMART train has stops in Santa Rosa, including Downtown Santa Rosa at Railroad Square, with service south to the Larkspur ferry for an easy connection into the city. Golden Gate Transit buses also run regular service to San Francisco, and the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport is just north of town for travel farther away.
Santa Rosa families have a wide range of school options, from public high schools like Montgomery High School, Maria Carrillo High School, and Santa Rosa High School to respected private schools such as Cardinal Newman High School and Sonoma Academy. The city is also home to Santa Rosa Junior College, one of the most well-known community colleges in California, giving students and adults easy access to classes, programs, and a path to four-year universities.
