Santa Rose: Wine, Whimsy, Wildebeests and More

Santa Rosa may not be one of the first destinations that may come to mind when folks think of a WINE tasting getaway. And in our eyes it should be. We have always enjoyed visiting Santa Rosa for wonderful antique shopping at their historical Railroad Square area. And only recently did we take two trips to actually spend a few days and nights to really explore this wonderfully diverse Sonoma County city. When compared to staying in Napa or the town of Sonoma, we found a number of factors that favor Santa Rosa. First of all there seem to be more options when it comes to activities and attractions. And lodging prices are more moderate. As for the wine tasting there are numerous wineries nearby and unlike Napa and Sonoma many offer complimentary samplings. Our favorite local winery is Paradise Ridge where awe inspiring panoramic vistas and a rotating sculpture garden compliment their high quality award winning wines. www.prwinery.com

Now lets move on to WHIMSY. As some readers may have guessed we are referring to the unbelievable whimsical influence Charles Schulz has had on Santa Rosa. Humorous reminders of the late master cartoonist, who created the world famous “Peanuts” cartoon strip, T.V. shows and movies, can be found all over the county’s largest city. And we mean everywhere! As a result of a three year fund raising project, over 50 creatively painted statues of Charlie Brown, Snoopy and Woodstock can be found at shopping centers, office buildings, public parks and other sites. And the really amazing Charles M. Schulz Museum is an absolute must visit. Even if you’re not “Peanuts” fans like us, the museum and the colorful statues should bring many smiles to your face. www.SchulzMuseum.org

We’re sure the WILDEBEESTS part of our column title brought a quizzical look to some of our readers. We’ve visited many wild animal sanctuaries throughout the world and Safari West wildlife preserve in Santa Rosa stands out as one of the best. Can’t afford to take the family to Africa for a safari experience that would cost thousands of dollars? No problem. Safari West will provide a wonderful family adventure on their 400 acre home to hundreds of exotic animals and birds. Reservations are required for admission, the guided stroll around the grounds and an authentic safari vehicle tour of the ‘Sonoma Serengeti’. You may never get this close to cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, cape buffalos, gazelles and of course those strange looking wildebeests grazing in this majestic habitat. And the best part- there is no threat of harm from an enemy. If at all possible, be sure to stay overnight in one of their luxury tent cabins and enjoy the delightful ranch style dining-a memorable lodging and dining experience. For complete information and reservations go to: www.safariwest.com You also may wish to consider a donation to their non-profit foundation.

There is a multitude of lodging choices in Santa Rosa and a few that we can wholeheartedly recommend based on our personal stays. At the top of the list is the historic La Rose Hotel, in the heart of Railroad Square and within easy walking distance of downtown. . This charming property, built in 1903, has been updated with modern conveniences but maintains its tasteful yesteryear ambience. The staff was exceptional and the rooms quite comfortable. For reservations, special packages, etc: www.hotelarose.com For those of you who prefer B & B’s, we can strongly recommend the Mellita Station Inn, another historic property opened around 1889. This former stage coach stop’s rural setting outside the downtown area adds considerably to its charm. Walks around nearby Spring Lake, a wonderful city park and hikes into Annadel State Park just across the road are reasons enough to consider the Melitta. Owned and operated by a hospitable British couple, the inn features complimentary afternoon tea and homemade scones and their English breakfast specialties are exceptional. For more information go to: www.melittastationinn.com You might also want to check out the web site of Wine Country Inns of Sonoma County, a unique group of 18 individually owned distinctive Bed & Breakfast’s (Melitta is a proud member): www.winecountryinns.com Our Silicon Valley meeting planners should consider the Flamingo Conference Hotel & Spa when planning their next out of town meeting. This ‘exceptional value’ property offers state of the art convention facilities and one of the county’s largest ballrooms at reasonable prices. Their restaurant, pool areas, spa, tennis and health club facilities are first rate. For complete details: www.flamingoresort.com

Dining in Santa Rosa has improved dramatically in the last few years, thanks in good part to the locally owned Stark Restaurant group. Their Stark’s Steak House in the Railroad Square area is the best Northern California steak house we’ve enjoyed outside San Francisco in the last few years. Their Willi’s Wine Bar on Old Redwood Highway features very creative “small plates’ with an international flair. Monti’s Rotisserie & Bar located in Montgomery Village Shopping Center is another Stark gem and features local meats and produce. Monti’s is one of those rare restaurants that offer all their wines by the glass or a 2oz tasting. For more info go to their flagship website: www.williswinebar.net

Santa Rosa was one of the inaugural host cities for the Amgen Tour of California, a world class bicycling race won the last two years by Levi Leipheimer, a Santa Rosa resident. Enjoying the activities associated with this race in Santa Rosa was a highlight of our visit and we can’t wait to return next year on President’s Day weekend to once again soak up the fun filled ambience of this happening event. For more details: www.amgentourofcalifornia.com Another fun entertainment in Santa Rosa, especially for blues music aficionados like us, is to go to the Last Day Saloon in the Railroad Square area. When we were in town, the famous blues star, Charlie Musselwhite, was headlining and we thoroughly enjoyed the concert as well as the food and atmosphere of this local’s hangout. For schedule of concerts go to: www.lastdaysaloon.com For complete information on Santa Rosa lodging, dining, activities, and other attractions such as The Luther Burbank House and Gardens go to: www.visitsantarosa.com or for detailed info on a multitude of wonderful getaway possibilities in ALL of Sonoma County go to www.SonomaCounty.com Safe journeys, everyone!