St Rose - Santa Rosa, CA Area Guide

In 1872, Armstead and May Runyon built the first house in the neighborhood at what is now 535 B Street, and over the years a comfortable neighborhood grew up around the St. Rose Church. In 1990, The City of Santa Rosa declared St. Rose the first residential Historic District in the city. The handsome houses that line the streets of St. Rose comprise an enchanting mix of architectural styles that range from 19th century splendor to well-kept bungalows built in the 1920s. Several of the most elegant houses in St. Rose were moved into the neighborhood as the business district of Santa Rosa expanded.

To get a good look at how life used to be in Santa Rosa, visit the Sonoma County Museum. Housed in the former Post Office, the building has a history all its own. Constructed shortly after the great earthquake of 1906, in 1979 the entire structure was moved to its current location on Seventh Street between Highway 101 and Mendocino Avenue.

Vegetarians in St. Rose eat well at Gaia's Garden. The veggie-centric eatery on Mendocino Avenue presents an extensive lunch and dinner buffet where you can put together a marvelous meatless meal. Be sure to try the savory dahl soup seasoned with hing for a spicy, satisfying treat.

If you prefer a pile of bacon on your plate, drop by Lita's for a big American breakfast. Here you can start any day of the week with generous portions of chicken-fried steak and eggs, an Ortega chili omelet or a plate of fluffy biscuits with creamy country gravy. And, of course, bacon. Lita's opens for business every day at 7 am on Mendocino Avenue south of Steele Lane.

Play a late-night game of pool or get your air hockey groove on at Gary's at the Belvedere. On the outside, the Belvedere looks like an elegant Victorian mansion. On the inside, it's a different story. Here you will find five pool tables, an outdoor smoking area, full bar service and an eclectic crowd of locals and tourists. Gary's is open every night until 2 o'clock.

The Flamingo Lounge is a Santa Rosa landmark, and the big pink bird on the roof makes sure no one can miss it. It's also the perfect place to catch a live local band. You may find anything from 80s flashback bands and classic rock cover bands to R&B, funk, punk and more. The Flamingo also offers weekly salsa and swing dances, with lessons provided for those who aren't quite sure of their footing.

Santa Rosa lies on the Redwood Highway 101 corridor, about an hour north of San Francisco. From Santa Rosa, you can get to Sonoma via CA-12 in less than 20 minutes.

More than ten taxi companies serve the Santa Rosa community. You can hail a cab on some of the more well-traveled streets, but it's easiest to call a cab company when you want a ride. Uber service is available in St. Rose and throughout Sonoma County.

CityBus moves people around Santa Rosa on 17 fixed routes. The low-floor buses are wheelchair accessible and have front racks for two bicycles. A half-day pass costs $2. Sonoma County Transit provides local and intercity transportation to and from Sebastopol, Cotati, Cloverdale, Rohnert Park and other parts of Sonoma County. A one-way ride with SCT will cost you $1.25.

Juilliard Park is one of the oldest public parks in Santa Rosa. The former orchard was home to the family that founded the famed Juilliard Music School. Now, the property at 227 Santa Rosa Avenue provides St. Rose and downtown residents a pleasant place to picnic, play a game of chess or catch up on some reading. During summertime Sundays, residents flock to see the free live concert series outdoors in the park.

Howarth Park is a ten-minute drive from St. Rose, but the trip is well worth the time. The 152-acre public park presents a range of recreational opportunities that include baseball, paddle boating and fishing. Free admission gives you access to pony rides, a playground for kids, a miniature train, a carousel and ample public parking.

The DeTurk Round Barn dog park sits just the other side of Highway 101 at 819 Donahue Street. This one-acre dog park provides an off-leash dog run where your pet can run to his heart's content.

The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in St. Rose is $1,785, a little lower than the city average. A gallon of gas in Santa Rosa costs around eight percent more than the national average.

A bus ride from St. Rose to the center of town costs $1.25 via Sonoma County Transit or $2 on CityBus, and if you stop by a local pub, a pint of draft beer costs about $4.

For organic groceries, bulk granola, vegetarian shampoo, and an overall good vibe, shop at Santa Rosa Community Farmers Market. This market emphasizes locally produced, organic food. Here you will find an impressive selection of raw foods, fair trade coffee and tea, organic tofu, and ethically produced eggs and cheese.

Find locally sourced meats and produce, along with all your everyday supermarket needs, at Molsberry Market near Old Redwood Highway. The family-owned facility supplies an extensive array of deli cheeses as well as household cleaning products, pet foods, personal care items and sundries. If you prefer a more typical supermarket experience, you'll find a Safeway on Marlow Road and a Trader Joe's on Cleveland Avenue, as well as a Whole Foods Market in nearby Sebastopol.

At The Last Record Store in Santa Rosa, you can load up on vintage albums, 45s and the turntables to play them on, too. TLRS sells tickets to Sonoma County events and hosts a good selection of CDs, cassettes and 8-track tapes. The store is wheelchair accessible and provides ample off-street space for cars and bicycles.

Furnish your St. Rose home with splendid stuff from Whistlestop Antiques. Located a block west of Redwood Highway in historic Railroad Square, Whistlestop displays an ever-changing array of vintage books, teacups, furniture, clothing, tools in an eclectic selection. Kids can explore vintage toys and comics while adults browse through the store.