Frequently Asked Questions About Santa Rosa

Where can I stay in the City of Santa Rosa?

Santa Rosa offers an attractive range of accommodations from luxury hotels to motels to B & Bs which are described and available here.

How far is Santa Rosa from San Francisco?

Santa Rosa is 55 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge and about 68 miles from both the San Francisco and Oakland Airports. Driving time ranges from one to two hours depending on traffic.

Does Santa Rosa have a Performing Arts venue?

Yes, the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts is located three miles north of Santa Rosa and the Green Music Center is on the Sonoma State University Campus and both venues offer a busy schedule of performances by nationally and internationally known entertainers.

Where can I learn more about Luther Burbank's life and plants?

The Luther Burbank Home and Gardens is on the corner of Santa Rosa Avenue and Sonoma Avenue in Santa Rosa. At this registered historic landmark you can walk through the gardens to learn about Burbank or go on a guided tour of his greenhouse, home, and gardens. 

Are there Redwoods in Sonoma County?

Yes, Armstrong Redwoods is a beautiful state preserve of 800 acres of coast redwoods located on Armstrong Woods Road off of River Road, about a 45-minute drive from Santa Rosa.

The serene, majestic beauty of this Grove is a living reminder of the magnificent primeval redwood forest that covered much of this area before logging operations began during the 19th century. Armstrong Redwoods preserves stately and magnificent Sequoia sempervirens, commonly known as the coast redwood. These trees stand together as a testament to the wonders of the natural world. The grove offers solace from the hustle and bustle of daily life, offering the onlooker great inspiration and a place for quiet reflection.

Where in Santa Rosa can I go if I'm interested in Charles Schulz and Peanuts?

The Charles Schulz Museum, Snoopy's Gallery and Gift Shop, and Snoopy's Home Ice (the Redwood Empire Ice Arena), and the Warm Puppy Cafe are located at 1665 West Steele Lane in northwest Santa Rosa.

View the largest collection of original Peanuts artwork in the world at the Charles M. Schulz Museum. Located in Santa Rosa, California, the Museum is dedicated to giving depth to the funny pages through the preservation, display, and interpretation of the life and art of Peanuts comic strip creator, Charles M. Schulz. 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 on-site theater, draw their own cartoons in the hands-on Education Room, and more.

Where can I find out about events in Santa Rosa? 

A complete calendar of our many interesting events is available here.

Is there Train Service through Santa Rosa?

Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) is a transportation option for travel, offering passenger rail service in Sonoma and Marin counties. SMART’s initial 43 miles of rail corridor includes 10 stations, from the Sonoma County Airport to Downtown San Rafael. Future extensions include Larkspur, which is scheduled to be completed in 2019; Windsor; Healdsburg; and Cloverdale. The full project will provide 70 miles of passenger rail service, connecting SMART passengers with jobs, education centers, retail hubs, and housing along the Sonoma-Marin corridor, and a bicycle-pedestrian pathway.

Is there a Visitor Center in Santa Rosa?

While our California Welcome Center remains closed for in-person visitation due to COVID-19 and county health restrictions, we offer virtual assistance. You can find downloadable and printable rack cards from many of our businesses, just click the Virtual Rack Cards link. If you have a question, please send us an email. We check email regularly during business hours Monday through Friday.

How Close to the Ocean is Santa Rosa?

The Pacific Ocean and Bodega Bay are approximately 40 minutes from Santa Rosa traveling west on Highway 12 and north on Highway 1. There you will find ocean beaches, seafood restaurants, fishing and sailing marina, and hiking/whale-watching on Bodega Head.