Santa Rosa, CA Area Guide

Santa Rosa History

The homestead of the Carrillo family was the first permanent residence in Santa Rosa, and during the Mexican period the family built an adobe house on the Rancho Cabeza de Santa Rosa just east of what would later become downtown Santa Rosa. Before the Carrillo family built their home here in the 1830s, settlers from Sonoma raised livestock here and slaughtered animals where the Santa Rosa Creek and the Matanzas Creek meet (now the intersection of Santa Rosa Ave. and Sonoma Ave.

Santa Rosa’s population grew significantly in the years following World War II, averaging an additional 1,000 residents each year over the next twenty year period. By the time the city adopted its first General Plan in 1991 the population had grown to 113,000 residents, and in the years since then the population has continued to grow at about 3,000 new residents each year. The population projects a population of 195,000 by the year 2020.

Santa Rosa Parks and Recreation

Doyle Community Park
Located in the northeast area of Santa Rosa, this 22-acre park features a dog park, picnic areas, a children’s play area, horseshoe pits, a baseball field, and an open lawn area.

Daniel Gavin Community Park
Daniel Gavin Community Park is located on the southeast side of Santa Rosa and features lighted tennis courts, soccer fields, a softball field, a dog park, a fly casting pond, a playground, and reservable picnic areas. The park sits right next to the Bennett Valley Golf Course and the Legends Restaurant and Bar.

Jacobs Park
Jacobs Park consists of 8-acres of land and includes a playground, picnic tables, soccer and softball fields,

Julliard Park
One of Santa Rosa’s oldest parks, Julliard is located just south of the Court House Square downtown. The park has mature landscaping, open grassy areas, and ponds that wind through the park. It is also the spot for the Live at Julliard outdoor summer concert series.

For a complete list of parks in the area click here

Santa Rosa Events

Santa Rosa is home to several events throughout the year such as:

The Kendall-Jackson Annual Heirloom Tomato Festival

The Glendi International Food Fair

The Annual Holiday Open House Luther Burbank Home and Gardens

For a complete list of events visit the official events calendar by clicking here

Santa Rosa Attractions

California Indian Museum & Cultural Center
The California Indian Museum aims to tell the stories of the California Indian histories and cultures from a Native point of view.

Charles M. Schultz Museum & Research Center
The Schultz Museum houses the Peanuts Cartoon Strip Collection, which includes nearly 6,000 drawings for Sunday newspaper pages. The collection represents Charles Schultz’s drawings and sketches from 1950 to 2000.

Pacific Coast Air Museum
Experience the adventure of aviation as antique aircraft come to life at the Pacific Coast Air Museum!

Rare Rock Mosaic Museum
Here you will find a collection of astounding mosaic pictures created from rocks and semi-precious stones.

Sonoma County Museum
The Sonoma County Museum “celebrates and interprets the region's rich history, art, and culture by exhibiting and collecting relevant objects and artworks, by serving as a vital community gathering place, and by inspiring visitors.”

For complete information on attractions in the area click here

For more information on Santa Rosa CA visit the official website by clicking here

For the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce website click here

For the Santa Rosa Convention & Visitors Bureau website click here