Location: Santa Rosa
Top Things to do in Santa Rosa
Top 8 Things to do for Honeymoon in Santa Rosa, California (CA)
If you're into wine-tasting, a weekend in Santa Rosa is certain to be satisfying. But this region of magnificent redwoods, rolling hills and ocean vistas has a great mix of other fun pastimes as well. Located right in the center of the Sonoma County wine region, Santa Rosa is home to several vineyards with world-class wines, rich histories and beautiful surroundings. The Matanzas Creek Winery offers June and July visitors a chance to enjoy its aromatic fields of blooming lavender, but its Estate Gardens and spectacular scenery are tourist draws year-round. If golf is your passion, grab your clubs and spend a relaxing afternoon at Fountaingrove or one of the other popular courses. Young and old alike will delight in the Charles M. Schulz Museum, which chronicles the evolution and history of Snoopy and the "Peanuts" gang. With wine or without, a trip to Santa Rosa is one you'll never forget.
Restaurants in Santa Rosa
1. Up & Away Ballooning
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 754 reviews
Fly with us over Sonoma County! Enjoy the serene views from our gondola's followed by post-flight brunch & mimosa's to toast the start to your day.
2. Cuvee Wine Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 38 reviews
When you take Cuvee Wine Tours you will have a chance to meet and learn from the Winemaker or have your Private wine tasting in a Cave or in the Vineyard. Cuvee Wine Tours will get you access to small family owned wineries in Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Mendocino Counties.
3. Wine Tour Drivers - Private Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 424 reviews
We are a licensed Designated Driver Service with the State of California, TCP #35816, and carry the required insurance to drive your rental or personal vehicle. - Book with us and SAVE Money. You provide the vehicle, we provide a personal driver. As a designated driver service, we are one of the few that has the proper TCP license and insurance to drive your rental or personal vehicle on a private customized wine tour. - A driver meets you where you’re staying and safely drives you to wineries, breweries, dinner or parties all the places you want to experience, then safely gets you “home.” - No worries about directions, traffic or parking. - Rates range from $45 to $50 per hour with a 6 hour minimum. - Complimentary water bottles and personalized route planning (no additional charge). We look forward to working with you!
4. Wine Country Car And Driver
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 61 reviews
We specialize in private wine tasting, brewery, and scenic tours for small groups in Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino. Our affordable tours are fun, independent, and crafted just for you! Every tour is thoughtfully planned to make the most of every minute while never feeling hurried. Everyone can indulge and enjoy the wine country to its fullest. Rates are $65/hr up to 4 guests and $85/hr for 5 - 7 guests.
5. Safari West
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,795 reviews
Escape to Africa by way of Sonoma County…Come discover the Sonoma Serengeti. The classic African safari is a trip of a lifetime for intrepid travelers from around the globe - and, it is closer than you think! The entire Safari West experience is a kid-friendly adventure for families to enjoy together. Our tours are designed to educate guests of all ages and we have found that families are truly inspired as they learn from and share with one another. At Safari West we strive to actively promote conservation and environmental education concepts to our guests, whether they are with us for an hour or a week. The whole experience at Safari West is one of building connections and making discoveries; getting back to basics and enjoying the profound simple pleasures of family and nature that are all too often overlooked. If anything is “not to be missed,” it is that sense of serenity one finds while gazing at graceful giraffe nuzzling her newborn or the surge of raw adventure while witnessing an energetic herd of wildebeest galloping across the horizon. Overnight lodging is also available - the true 'glamping' experience!
Reviewed By SSandFamily - San Carlos, United States
We arrived mid-afternoon and were greeted by a friendly, courteous and professional front office staff. After checking into our unique and comfotable luxury safari tent, one of about 30 on property (each of which is set apart from the others, but all of which are within eyeshot and earshot of the animals), we joined our 2:00 pm tour of the property. Our tour guide, Richard, was accommodating, experienced and entertaining. The tour (both the 45-minute walking portion and the over 2-hour riding portion in an old but customized war surplus jeep), was fantastic! We even saw some fascinating real world activity when one of the scores of guinea fowl roaming on the property flew into the cheetah den. While the ensuing cheetah/guinea fowl action (won by the cheetah) was not for all, we thought it was a rare and unique glimpse into a wildlife window not often expereinced by suburban dwellers. The cheetah/hyena interactions after the cheetah's conquest (they are in adjoining pens separated by a see-through fence) also was fascinating to watch. Aided by the good fortune of an incredibly clear and sunny afternoon, the driving tour was memorable. The time we spent sitting in the seat located above the cab was amazing - what views! After the driving tour, we enjoyed a delicious dinner and drinks served by another courteous staff team. The rubbed chicken served in the buffet was unlike any we had ever had - it was delicious! After dinner and dessert (S'mores and brownies with ice cream), armed with flashlights provided by the staff, we roamed around the walking areas of the property and viewed numerous animals and birds during the night. We saw a lot of green eyes peering back at us from a distance when the animals were flashed briefly with the light. Depending on your perspective, the non-stop mixture of sounds from the frogs, birds and animals on site during the night was either a symphony or a cacophony. If the former, you will be in for a treat. If the latter, bring earplugs! Our morning walk around the propery before breakfast, with tasty and piping hot coffee in hand, was enjoyable, especially our time chatting with one of the keepers who was feeding the porcupines. The continental breakfast, which included homemade peanut butter, honey, lavendar-pear jam, and blackberry jam, was tasty and hit the spot. Our chekout at 11:00 am was efficient. (We were driven to and from our tent before and after our stay in the staff's jeep - very convenient.) Thank you, Safari West Team, for a fabulous experience - well done!
6. Matanzas Creek Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 214 reviews
Matanzas Creek Winery is a destination to enjoy the best of both rustic country charm and refined quality. Experience Bennett Valley AVA Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Come to taste the unique Bennett Valley wines, but stay and relax at our captivating estate grounds for the day. The spacious estate features an eclectic blend of native grasses, delicate olive trees, exotic perennials and our famed lavender fields. Tucked away from the noise but close enough for an afternoon jaunt. Bocci, picnic and self-guided tours.
Reviewed By wtgahg
The Matanzas Creek winery is one of the most impressive wineries we’ve ever been to. The landscaping is amazing, and the number of different outside areas that you can sit in and enjoy wine is wonderful. Additionally, the wines are very very good, and we enjoyed the entire tasting experience. Anyone who visits should also check out the fields of lavender!
7. St. Francis Winery and Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 457 reviews
100% Certified Sustainable Winery and Vineyards featuring Award-Winning Wines, acclaimed Wine & Food Pairings, breathtaking Private Event settings, and an illustrious Wedding venue. For more than four decades, St. Francis Winery & Vineyards has hand-crafted fruit forward, luscious and full-bodied wines from the superior mountain and valley vineyards in Sonoma County's most prestigious appellations.
Reviewed By aotova - Boston, United States
My husband and I absolutely love St. Francis Winery. We’ve never had a bad experience here - the wines are superb, the grounds are beautiful, and the interaction with staff has always been wonderful. We were impressed after our first visit, but the wine & food pairing during our second visit was so enjoyable we knew we wanted to be members here and haven’t once regretted it since! Highly recommend this stop on any wine country visit.
8. Paradise Ridge Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 171 reviews
We invite you to come visit our newly reopened Russian River Valley Estate Tasting Room. We are nestled on a 155-acre estate in the heart of Sonoma County wine county, Paradise Ridge offers spectacular natural vistas overlooking our vineyards and the Russian River Valley. Expansive decks and terraces open to panoramic landscapes. Visitors sample handcrafted wines seated on the veranda or in our new tasting lounge. This magical wine country property was discovered in 1977 by Walter Byck & Marijke Byck-Hoenselaars. The winery was founded in 1991 and continues to be family owned & operated. Wander through the outdoor sculpture exhibit in Marijke's Grove, experience the Fountain Grove Winery historical exhibit and taste artisan wines. For those planning a wedding or special event, Paradise offers a romantic & magical setting. Whatever you desire, Paradise Ridge Winery is a wine country experience not to be missed.
Reviewed By jennywt1972 - Liverpool, United Kingdom
A little jem amongst the four wineries we visited ! Our tour guide Reiner was amazing so knowledgeable about the wines , the chocolate pairing and his wit just added to the tour - a definite must if in this area!
