Location: Santa Rosa
Top Things to do in Santa Rosa
What to do and see in Santa Rosa, California (CA): The Best Things to do Good for Kids
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. 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!
2. Bennett Valley
3. Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 166 reviews
Founded in 1981, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts is the North Bay’s premier arts and events center presenting world-class performances, nationally-recognized education programs, contemporary visual art, and many popular community events. A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the Center is ranked among world’s top 100 performing arts presenters hosting performances in music, theater, dance, comedy, family programming and renowned speaker events; and serving more than 50,000 children and adults annually through its Education Through the Arts programs. Located in the heart of the Sonoma wine country, the Center is owned and operated by the Luther Burbank Memorial Foundation, and relies on the generosity of members, donors, and sponsors to achieve its mission to enrich, educate, and entertain the North Bay community.
Reviewed By marecaranne - Moreno Valley, United States
Not only it has free parking when you pay for an even in it, the size is just enough for an intimate yet party size capable if necessary. No big screens like those big stadiums have for people to see that's seating too far away. Also, the size of the seats are comfortable and good width. I myself went to plenty of events place to watch artists perform so I know the typical 'you have to stand for people to get out of that row' situation. If you buy drinks, unless you also buy the cup with the theater name for $3, then you have to finish it outside. It seems expensive for sure, but if you go here pretty often, it's not that bad and the quality of the cup is pretty reliable. I got a coffee for $2, husband got wine for $9, and I also bought cookies for $3 which we finished easily while waiting for the 2nd set to start.
4. Charles M. Schulz Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,125 reviews
View the largest collection of original Peanuts art work in the world at the Charles M. Schulz Museum. Visitors can laugh at Schulz’s original comic strips, learn about the art of cartooning and Schulz’s role in its development, view a re-creation of Schulz’s art studio, watch animated Peanuts specials and documentaries in the theater, and draw cartoons in the hands-on education room. The Museum features a Peanuts tile mural (made from comic strips), a wrapped Snoopy doghouse, morphing Snoopy, Snoopy labyrinth, Kite-Eating tree, and three exhibition galleries that change every 6 months.
Reviewed By itsmikachu - Dublin, United States
Spent an afternoon here, and it was a lovely experience! As a lifelong fan of the Peanuts gang, I loved reading the abundant comic strips and learning more about Charles Schulz’s life, career, and inspiration. Currently, they are featuring Woodstock and Camp Snoopy exhibitions through March 2020. Would highly recommend if you are a fan of Charlie Brown and the gang!
5. Redwood Empire Ice Arena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 75 reviews
Founded by Charles Schulz, "Snoopy's Home Ice," has become a community center as well as the place the comic strip artist loved best.
Reviewed By M2355UAthomasb - Santa Rosa, United States
A friend skates at The Redwood Empire Ice Arena. He is an Old Hockey Player. Takes figure skating lessons and has a terrific skating partner. Used to skate on a Hockey Teem with a man named Sparky. Some called him Mr. Schulz. I skated 48 years ago. Now just watch. The December Student show is delightful. The Summer Senior Hockey Tournament is addictive. Each year I go to see a couple of games and end up watching half a dozen.
6. Annadel State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 172 reviews
This park offers a great variety of wildflowers.
Reviewed By 7TerriH - Sacramento, United States
We hiked around the lake. It was a lovely day, and all of the hikers we met along the trail had excellent pandemic etiquette, keeping their distances and wearing masks.
7. Spring Lake Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 253 reviews
Reviewed By robertaN2132FI
The park and lake are a great place to walk or jog, sight-see, bird-watch, or just relax. It's very popular among locals and in-the-know visitors.
8. Snoopy's Home Ice
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By Boomerang_Plus - Healdsburg, United States
We have been waiting to go back to Snoopy's Home Ice after their big renovation and it is awesome. The protective glass, updated ice system and yummy cafe' make it a fun time for the entire family. In our group there was an advanced figure skater and a few novices. We all had a blast!! Bernie even got to ride on the zamboni!
9. California Welcome Center - Santa Rosa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 62 reviews
10. Children's Museum of Sonoma County
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 66 reviews
At the Children's Museum of Sonoma County (CMOSC), children and their loved ones have access to self-directed, interactive experiences that encourage exploration, experimentation, and discovery. Interaction with our unique exhibits and programs unlocks the benefits of education in science, technology engineering and math (STEM) in the most profound way - through the language of PLAY!
Reviewed By Boomerang_Plus - Healdsburg, United States
We explored, learned new things and had a lot of fun!! Our interns met with Lauren and got a chance to tour this awesome Children's Museum. Everything is laid out really well in order to allow maximum creative exploration. There are so many fun stations to visit. We particularly liked the bubbles, helicopter, garden, and light bench. This is a great place to take kids where they will have fun and learn a lot.
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