For fun-loving families:

1. Visit California Welcome Center (Ongoing) - To kick off any Santa Rosa vacation, families

should stop at the Visit California Welcome Center in Historic Railroad Square to pick up flyers

and deals on local family attractions. While the grownups chat with knowledgeable staff, kids can

enjoy the center’s train exhibition, which offers a great interactive introduction to what Santa

Rosa was like more than 100 years ago and features a working train set. The center has just

updated their list of pet-friendly businesses for 2017, and visitors can request a copy.

2. Wednesday Night Market (weekly through August 16) - Downtown Santa Rosa’s

newly-renovated Courthouse Square breathes new life into the city’s long-running Wednesday

Night Market. The city’s biggest street fair features the highest quality artisans, farmers, and

craftsmen, along with live music and a kids area.

3. Free Movies on the Green (July 22, August 26) - Sonoma State University’s Green Music

Center gives family movie nights an upgrade with two nights of free double features! On July 22,

showings include Moana and The Little Mermaid. On August 26, it’s Beauty and The Beast

night, featuring both the animated classic and the 2017 live action film. Movie showings begin at

5:00 p.m.

4. Sonoma County Fair ( August 3 - August 13) - One of the state’s most popular fairs returns for

11 days of family fun! Now in its 81st year, all ages will be entertained by educational

agricultural exhibits, livestock shows, carnival rides, NorCal Brewfest, and horse races!

5. You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown! at 6th Street Playhouse (August 18 - September 17) - To

honor the 50th anniversary of the Broadway musical based on the Peanuts , the 6th Street

Playhouse and Charles Schulz Museum are teaming up for a hometown revival. This show kicks

off the playhouse’s 2017-2018 season.

6. 23rd Annual Seafood Bodega Seafood Art & Wine Festival (August 26 - 27) - This beloved

food and wine festival on the coast returns with more kid-focused activities than ever. Adults will

enjoy live entertainment, fine art, local craft beverages and the freshest seafood. The

Entertainment Stage will feature performances by Captain Jack Spareribs, Merry Mary and

gymnasts. Stewards of the Coast & Redwoods will bring out their new Interactive Environmental

Exhibit Van to educate and entertain. The Painting Garden welcomes children to paint their own

ceramics. Kid-friendly food options will also be available.

For people and pups:

7. Concerts Under the Stars at Montgomery Village (June 1- October 5) - Parents, pups, and kids

can rock out to tribute and cover bands at Montgomery Village every Thursday, starting at 5:30

p.m. Food available from Lucky’s outdoor grill. Wine and beer available from Korbel, Rodney

Strong, Ninkasi IPA, and more. All beverage proceeds benefit local nonprofits.

8. Spring Lake Water Bark (September 9-10, 17, 23-24, 30-October 1) - Through Labor Day,

Spring Lake Regional Park’s swimming lagoon features a floating playground during summer for

kids ages 6+, but throughout September, it becomes a leash-free water wonderland for dogs.

Beyond dog-paddling, tennis balls and dog discs will be on hand. Entry fee raises money for the

Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation. Dog photos by Julie Vader are available for

purchase.

9. Find Snoopy and his friends around town - Fido can’t come inside the Charles M. Schulz

Museum to meet Snoopy, but he can join the family to sniff out more than 70 Peanuts statues in

and around Santa Rosa, decorated by local artists to pay tribute to the famed comic. Families can

follow this guide to find Snoopy and his friends:

10. Picnic and Tour at a Family and Pet-Friendly Winery - Adult visitors are welcome to bring

children and leashed dogs to several of Santa Rosa’s family-friendly wineries. Top experiences

including the culinary and flower gardens at Martin Ray Winery, the lavender fields at Matanzas

Creek Winery, or take the self-guided sustainability-focused Vineyard Adventures walks offered

at St. Francis Winery, among others.