Leila’s guidebook
Food scene
La Rosa | Tequileria & Grille
500 4th StGreat margaritas, right on the downtown square.
executive chef Thomas Schmidt has continued his defining legacy of wine country dining at the Vintner’s Inn, drawing ingredients largely from the lodge’s own gardens and relationships with some 30 local farmers. Meant for expense accounts and special events, the entrees are expensive and tend to the aerie of foie gras, beef tartare, and veal, but are executed with absolute care. Locals know that the excellent and inexpensive happy hour staged daily in the Front Room bar area is a wonderful way to unwind and enjoy some of the same views and quality care that the expense account seats get.
65 locals recommend
John Ash & Co.
4330 Barnes Rd executive chef Thomas Schmidt has continued his defining legacy of wine country dining at the Vintner’s Inn, drawing ingredients largely from the lodge’s own gardens and relationships with some 30 local farmers. Meant for expense accounts and special events, the entrees are expensive and tend to the aerie of foie gras, beef tartare, and veal, but are executed with absolute care. Locals know that the excellent and inexpensive happy hour staged daily in the Front Room bar area is a wonderful way to unwind and enjoy some of the same views and quality care that the expense account seats get.
Peruvian cuisine — as interpreted through a grandmother’s Lima kitchen — appeals to all tastes with six types of ceviche and main dishes heavy with plantain, cassava, and sweet potato. Native Peruvian aji amarillo sauce touches many dishes brightly. Don’t miss a chance to have a purple corn drink. Meanwhile, the newly opened Deli by Sazón, now adjacent to the dining room, offers traditional deli sandwiches as well as some more Peruvian-inflected to-go fare.
29 locals recommend
Sazón | Peruvian Cuisine
1129 Sebastopol RdPeruvian cuisine — as interpreted through a grandmother’s Lima kitchen — appeals to all tastes with six types of ceviche and main dishes heavy with plantain, cassava, and sweet potato. Native Peruvian aji amarillo sauce touches many dishes brightly. Don’t miss a chance to have a purple corn drink. Meanwhile, the newly opened Deli by Sazón, now adjacent to the dining room, offers traditional deli sandwiches as well as some more Peruvian-inflected to-go fare.
Sightseeing
Beautiful historic rose gardens and home of Luther Burbank - world famous horticulturalist. Right on the block of the home end of Tupper street.
62 locals recommend
Luther Burbank Home and Gardens
204 Santa Rosa AveBeautiful historic rose gardens and home of Luther Burbank - world famous horticulturalist. Right on the block of the home end of Tupper street.
Trione-Annadel State Park
6201 Channel DrHiking, biking , views - beautiful
Kids/Families
Great place for families to go. Charles M Schulz is from Santa Rosa and the museum is a must see.
144 locals recommend
Charles M. Schulz Museum
2301 Hardies LnGreat place for families to go. Charles M Schulz is from Santa Rosa and the museum is a must see.
Safari West
3115 Porter Creek RdHowarth Park
630 Summerfield RdGreat walking park with a lake - hiking
City/town information
Russian River - beautiful drive, rafting, biking on the river - great little town
78 locals recommend
Guerneville
Russian River - beautiful drive, rafting, biking on the river - great little town
Wineries
00 Pythian Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95409, (888) 675-9463
Established in 1978, St. Francis is a family-owned, Certified Sustainable winery dedicated to producing estate wines that showcase the unique terroir of the area. Enjoy picturesque views of the surrounding vineyards and Mayacamas Mountains from the mission-style tasting room, which includes a bell tower containing a 1,000 pound bronze cast bell that chimes each hour. St. Francis offers a superb, five-course wine and food pairing showcasing ingredients grown in the winery’s garden, but call in advance to book as slots fill quickly.
96 locals recommend
St. Francis Winery and Vineyard
100 Pythian Rd00 Pythian Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95409, (888) 675-9463
Established in 1978, St. Francis is a family-owned, Certified Sustainable winery dedicated to producing estate wines that showcase the unique terroir of the area. Enjoy picturesque views of the surrounding vineyards and Mayacamas Mountains from the mission-style tasting room, which includes a bell tower containing a 1,000 pound bronze cast bell that chimes each hour. St. Francis offers a superb, five-course wine and food pairing showcasing ingredients grown in the winery’s garden, but call in advance to book as slots fill quickly.
Located in the quaint community of Kenwood, Landmark is known for its small-production pinot noir and chardonnay wines. Tastings are offered daily at the charming winery, but to really enjoy the surroundings, opt to build your own picnic basket with local cheeses and charcuterie available for purchase on-site, then head outside to picnic with a bottle of wine.
39 locals recommend
Landmark Vineyards
101 Adobe Canyon RdLocated in the quaint community of Kenwood, Landmark is known for its small-production pinot noir and chardonnay wines. Tastings are offered daily at the charming winery, but to really enjoy the surroundings, opt to build your own picnic basket with local cheeses and charcuterie available for purchase on-site, then head outside to picnic with a bottle of wine.
1474 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448, (707) 431-5250
The ivy-covered chateau of Jordan Winery in Alexander Valley is an impressive sight, modeled after the chateaus of France. Beautiful winery building aside, it’s hard not to be captivated by the natural beauty of the 1,200-acre property, which features mountaintop vistas, rolling vineyards, and elaborate culinary gardens. Each of the unique tastings and experiences offered showcases the winery’s committment to both quality food and wine, but to really get a taste of Jordan, book the Estate Tour & Tasting (which resumes in June). This three-hour journey through the picturesque estate includes al fresco wine tastings, food pairings, and a tasting of Jordan’s Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for a comprehensive (and memorable) Jordan experience.
23 locals recommend
Jordan Vineyard & Winery
1474 Alexander Valley Rd1474 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448, (707) 431-5250
The ivy-covered chateau of Jordan Winery in Alexander Valley is an impressive sight, modeled after the chateaus of France. Beautiful winery building aside, it’s hard not to be captivated by the natural beauty of the 1,200-acre property, which features mountaintop vistas, rolling vineyards, and elaborate culinary gardens. Each of the unique tastings and experiences offered showcases the winery’s committment to both quality food and wine, but to really get a taste of Jordan, book the Estate Tour & Tasting (which resumes in June). This three-hour journey through the picturesque estate includes al fresco wine tastings, food pairings, and a tasting of Jordan’s Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for a comprehensive (and memorable) Jordan experience.
Traveler advice
Don't miss
Biking in Healdsburg
Most beautiful ride ever!! Dry Creek Road. From Healdsburg, you ride north on the Foss Creek Parkway, and jog right on Grove, turn left on Chiquita and ride 2 miles to cross 101 to meet Lytton Springs Road. Turn left. This is a cool country road that passes a few wineries, the little Healdsburg Municipal Airport, to Dry Creek Road. Turn right and go 0.8 miles to the Dry Creek General Store, where you can take a break, get a drink and a snack. For the trip back, take Dry Creek Road back into Healdsburg, Grove and the Foss Creek Parkway.
Getting around
Down town
The lovely historic downtown is a few short blocks away on 4th Street