11 Must-Do Things When in Santa Rosa (2024)

Coming straight to the point, Santa Rosa is a city full of opportunities for residents and travelers alike. Santa Rosa is surrounded by both nature and contemporary development and is home to a variety of activities and unique events going all throughout the year. One can plan a trip here to navigate through the romantic sceneries, stroll through the picturesque vineyards, or sit and relaxing in the lush green beautiful parks.

Santa Rosa is an ideal tourism destination for the ones who are fond of day time exploring also the ones who are specially bent towards the nightlife and glorious hours. The city of Santa Rosa is always eager to welcome and entertain its guest in the best possible way, and when you are here, you can enjoy both popular and the lesser-known site of the city.

11 Must-Do Things When in Santa Rosa

To get into the details, have a look at our list of the 11 Most Popular things to do when in Santa Rosa. And we assure you, the list will have only the bests.

1. Explore and Sip at the Sonoma County Wineries and Vineyards

Santa Rosa is the largest city in Sonoma County and the ideal getaway for wine lovers and vineyard enthusiasts. Either you are up for visiting the oldest commercial winery of California, the Buena Vista Winery, or one of the most loved St. Francis Winery and Vineyards, wine seen in and around the city seems never-ending. If you are looking for something remote, raw and relaxing, then plan your day for Matanzas Creek Winery or if tasting and nature viewing are on your list, then head towards the Benovia Winery. During the peak tourist season, i.e., from early November to late March, consider pre-booking your tours to avoid disappointments.

2. Book Your Family an African Safari on the Safari West

Twelve miles north of Santa Rosa lies the famous wildlife preserve Safari West, known for housing over 900 exotic animals. The preserve is spread over 400 acres offering a combined package of vacation lodging and wildlife viewing. It is one of the only staycations at a wildlife preserve in California and even the United States; however, what marks as extraordinary here is the African Safari. If you haven’t been to the real African safari but want to experience a near-real feel for the same, then do not miss the chance to book the same here at the Safari west. You can book both night and daytime safari and can even opt to stay overnight at their luxurious safari tents, grabbing the out-of-the-world feel. Image Source:

3. Go For Hiking, Swimming, Fishing, And Boating at the State and Regional Parks in Santa Rosa.

The city of Santa Rosa is home to an intricate network of parks spread all around the city, and mind us when we say, these are some of the best parks you can find around. Even it is about hiking at the Trione-Annadel State Park or Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, or if it is about admiring the gorgeous natural beauty of Annadel State Park, natural sites in Santa Rosa cancel all chances of disappointment. Though if you are still seeking some fun, then move towards the Spring Lake Regional Park, rent yourself a canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or windsurfer, and step into the water. Exploring the waters of Spring Lake is a one-of-a-kind experience in Santa Rosa, as the views you can grab at every single stroke are absolutely amazing. Further, if you have a fishing permit, you can catch you can try your skills and catch sunfish, catfish, and large-mouth bass here.

4. Take a Hot-Air Balloon Ride

Balloon Ride in Sonoma County is undisputedly one of the finest and most beautiful experiences. When in the city, you can book yourself a balloon ride and soar above from 1,000 to 3,000 feet and grab a bird-eye view of Santa Rosa countryside, mountain ranges, and the vineyards of Sonoma and Napa Valley. The vineyard views up above from the hot air balloon are indeed unmatchable and definitely an experience difficult to find somewhere else. If you are in the city with your partner, you can also plan for a private affair, a romantic excursion from where you can watch the divine sunrise and further continue it with a champagne breakfast, vineyard tour creating unforgettable memories. These rides last from about 45 minutes to 1 hour, typically costing about $230- $250 per person.

5. Float Down Your Kayak On The Russian River

Russian River in Santa Rosa is not just ideal for a riverside stroll but also for family-packed fun and adventures on a summery day. While you are done hiking all around the city and are looking to do some unique activity in Santa Rosa, a floating kayak on the Russian River is definitely can be your next jam. You can rent all the essentials from the local outfitters and then head towards your 10 miles self-guided canoe trip of the river. If you aren’t someone who has much experience for the same the consider going to the seaside town of Jenner and get access to the quiet and gentler side of the Russian River here.

6. Pay a Visit at Santa Rosa’s Original Certified Farmers Market.

Being in the city for over half a century now, the Original Certified Farmers Market is a place where you can get closer to the locals of Santa Rosa. The farmers market is a site where local ranchers, artisan food producers, and small growers come along to sell their organic and local produce. Being it a certified market, everything they sell is fresh, authentic, organic, and grown locally. The market is operational on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 am to 1 pm all around the year. Here you can either try sampling the local delicacies or even pick up some art and craft items.

7. Explore the Wednesday Night Market

Wednesday Night Market is operational in Santa Rosa for over two decades now and is organized every night for three months during the entire summer season. One can reach the market at Downtown Santa Rosa, where local vendors and buyers gather for an authentic local experience. Here you can get some delicious freshly cooked food, cold drinks, handmade items, and packed food and drinks from local as well as other countries. It is also one of the ideal places for enjoying live music and dance performed by local artists.

8. Do Not Afford To Miss The California Cheese Trail.

California produces the highest amount of milk in the United States, and thus, naturally, it has a lot and a lot of cheese. The locals of the State often book their tasting tour across the epicenter of the artisanal cheese movement for learning about the cheese-making process, meeting the ones who are masters in their work, and tasting some of the freshest samples all along. In and around Santa Rosa, you can stop at Bohemian Creamery in Sebastopol (7 miles from the city), Matos Cheese Factory, Petaluma Creamery, and Marin French Cheese (17 miles from the city), and Vella Cheese Co. (21 miles from the city).

9. Attend the Painting Party

Santa Rosa is a paradise for Paint Night Events. Often the solo travelers who seek companions on their trip head towards the painting party in the city. All throughout the year, there are several painting parties going on all at several places in Santa Rosa, specifically at the event space Epicenter, at Yaymaker. The opportunity is open for both kids and adults where they can socialize with the locals, paint their own masterpiece and then take it back home with them. And if you are an adult, you can sip on a glass of wine or two if that brings you inspiration.

10. Take the Sonoma Canopy Tours

Three miles from Santa Rosa, if you drive towards 6250 Bohemian Hwy, Occidental, you can grab some exciting adventure opportunities amidst the redwood forest. Within NorCal’s beautiful spread of Redwood forests, several adventure companies operate unforgettable guided eco-tours taking the visitors through the dense forest via several modes, including sky walking, ziplining, rappelling, and climbing. The tours generally operate from the Welcome Centre in Occidental and last somewhere around two and a half to three hours. All the activities involve a lot of physical strength and movement and are open for kids above ten up till senior adults. And remember, you can see and touch some of the tallest and oldest living trees of the earth here.

11. Do Save Some Energy For Ice Skating.

Adjoining the most popular museum in Santa Rosa, the Redwood Empire Ice Arena – Snoopy’s Home Ice is one of the best-known spots to visit in the city. It was a creation of the famous cartoonist Charles M. Schulz himself and is operational for over half a century now. The Ice Arena offers opportunities for several fun and exciting activities, including private ice and figure skating, ice skating, and ice hockey for both kids and adults. Snoopy’s Home Ice is also known for organizing the Snoopy’s Senior World Hockey Tournament that happens every year for an entire week welcoming 64 ice hockey teams from all around the world. When you are done with the things at the ice, treat yourself with something warm, sizzling and fresh at the Warm Puppy Café nearby.