Santa Rosa, California, is actually my home town. I was very fortunate to grow up in a destination rich in gorgeous sites and experiences, everything from world-renowned wineries, to unbelievable Pacific Coast beaches, to botanical riches, to redwood forests. Not many places in the world offer such diversity in one county.
- Sonoma County coast: About a 40 minute drive west of Santa Rosa is the gorgeous Pacific coast. You’ll find a diversity of beaches, from Doran Park, a great beach for walking, to Goat Rock in the north with rough surf for exciting views of the Pacific.
- Wineries: Sonoma County is full of award-winning wineries, in Santa Rosa proper and in the surrounding area. Many offer beautiful tasting rooms, picnic areas, and restaurants. John Ash, just to the north of Santa Rosa, is a very popular fine dining restaurant for special occasions.
- Gardens: Luther Burbank made his home in Santa Rosa. He was an American botanist, horticulturist and pioneer in agricultural science. He developed more than 800 strains and varieties of plants that included fruits, flowers, grains, grasses, and vegetables. The Luther Burbank Gardens, in downtown Santa Rosa, are open to the public from 8am to dusk every day. “The Gardens are an ever-evolving creation. Over the years we have made changes to the plantings and the hardscape. Our goal is to preserve and enhance our presentation of Luther Burbank’s achievements and methods.”
- Annadel State Park: Trione-Annadel State Park is a state park of California. It is located at the northern edge of Sonoma Valley and is adjacent to Spring Lake Regional Park in Santa Rosa. It offers many recreational activities within its 5,092-acre property. The hiking is excellent.
- Green Music Center: “Surrounded by the foothills of Sonoma County, the Green Music Center includes the 1,400-seat Weill Hall, with a rear wall that opens to lawn seating for a unique summertime experience, and the intimate 240-seat Schroeder Hall. As a focal point for the arts and education in the region, the Green Music Center presents artists year-round, serving as home to the Santa Rosa Symphony, Sonoma Bach, and the Sonoma State University Department of Music.”