Top 10 Must-Experience Spots for Families in Santa Rosa
The best family vacations start with a packed itinerary that everyone can enjoy, and Santa Rosa delivers when it comes to experiences the whole family can join in on. From sunup to sundown the entire family will be entertained. Here are just a few possibilities...
Children's Museum of Sonoma County
With hands-on exhibits designed for curiosity and creativity, the Children's Museum of Sonoma County boasts dozens of themed exhibits and activities both indoor and outdoor. No matter the age of your kiddos, there's an adventure waiting for them to discover at this interactive and educational museum. In addition to exhibits like Mechanical Waterways 2.0 and Dino Dental Clinic, the museum also hosts weekly programs like Garden Party and Cuentos con Ritmo (Stories with Rhythm), as well as special events like Family Fun Night - Outta this World! and their annual Lunar New Year Festival.
Charles M. Schulz Museum & Research Center
Home to Charlie Brown, Snoopy and The Peanuts gang, the Charles M. Schulz Museum & Research Center is a great excursion filled with art, fun, and a little bit of local history. Longtime Peanuts fans can introduce youngsters to these worldwide icons through rotating exhibits, hands-on cartooning workshops, and monthly events designed for all ages. Families can also watch classic Peanuts animations in the theater, explore the outdoor courtyard, and snap photos with Snoopy-themed sculptures throughout the campus.
Safari West
There's no need to leave California to visit the plains of the Serengeti when you plan a family trip to Safari West. With over 900 animal species to view up close on guided safari tours, this wildlife sanctuary is an incredible space to experience when visiting Sonoma County. Safari West has been awarded the #1 Glamping Spot and the #5 Best Safari Park in the nation from the USA Today 10Best Awards. Speaking of glamping... you have the opportunity to spend the night among the animals in the Sonoma Serengeti with stays in authentic safari tents imported from Africa and beautifully furbished with all the necessities by Safari West.
Howarth Park
Howarth Park is your one-stop spot for playgrounds, lake activities, sports, picnic time, and endless hours of fun. With plenty of grassy space for kids to run while the adults relax under shady oak trees, at The Land of Imagination playground, kids can explore a miniature old west town, a Native American village, and traverse the accessible play structure. A short walk up through the park will take you to a small playground with a rock climbing wall and swing sets near Lake Ralphine, which is a great place for budding anglers to practice their fishing skills in the trout-stocked lake. Every spring and summer, the park activates it's K-Land amusement area with pony rides, an animal barn, a carousel, the iconic miniature train, paddle boating and more, making spring break and summer vacation a perfect time to visit. And if all the activities aren't enough to tucker out the kids, the 138-acre park provides ample paved trails for brisk walks or stroller strides.
Poppy Bank Epicenter
An epicenter of family-fun in Santa Rosa can be found at Poppy Bank Epicenter, where activities for toddlers to teens (and even adults) are abundant. This massive indoor complex hosts an arcade, escape rooms, trampolines, laser tag, bowling, VR experiences, on-site dining, and so much more. The Mega Play Structure and designated Toddler Area are great spaces for soft-play, climbing, and exploring for both little tikes and big kids. This entertainment hub is great for burning off energy all year-round, but especially during hot or rainy days.
Environmental Discovery Center of Sonoma County
Located within Spring Lake Regional Park, the Environmental Discovery Center of Sonoma County is a great place to take the family after a walk around the park. The EDC offers natural history exhibits and hands-on displays like the tide pool filled with live, touchable sea stars. The center invites children and adults alike to learn about Sonoma County's ecosystems and dive deeper into environmental stewardship with interactive learning along the way. Visiting on a weekend? You can catch Science Saturdays where naturalists host engaging science experiments every second Saturday of the month.
Snoopy's Home Ice
Across the street from the Schulz Museum is Snoopy's Home Ice, a beloved Santa Rosa gem brought to life by Charles Schulz himself. The alpine village-themed interior of the Redwood Empire Ice Arena gives a charming and cozy atmosphere during public skating, Toddlers on Ice, and Parent & Puppy sessions. Skate assisting accommodations are available for those learning to skate, and ample stadium seating provide a great view off the ice to capture adorable family moments on ice. After chilling out with rounds on the ice, warm up at the Warm Puppy Café, where legendary hot cocoa and satisfying meals are sure to put a cherry on top of your day at the ice rink.
Finley Community Center & Aquatic Complex
For trips during the hotter months, the Finley Community Center & Aquatic Complex is a must-visit spot to cool down with the whole family. The center features a 10-lane competitive pool along with 2.5-3-foot-deep instructional pool, perfect for little ones practicing their splashing and floating skills. The center also has a new spray ground (a water-centric playground) with water jets, colorful spray features, and a tropical-themed design that both parents and kids can enjoy together. The facility is also fully ADA accessible, with a pool ramp and ADA seat lift to help everyone enjoy a cool dip on a hot day. With admission pricing ranging from $4-$7, it's a budget-friendly excursion you'll definitely want to add to your itinerary.
Spellcraft Curator
For families traveling with children ages 9 and up, Spellcraft Curator is a unique Santa Rosa experience you won't want to miss. The space is where creativity, history, and play come together through craft making, puzzle solving, and a good sense of curiosity. With six different themed rooms, the family can explore every inch to find hidden treasures, short quests, and craft stations. Hands-on projects such as metal stamping, wand making, herbal sachets, candle pouring, and potpourri crafting are intentionally tied to the stories of each room, helping visitors better understand the history and traditions behind what they’re creating in rooms like the Victorian Parlor, Celestial Study, and Apothecary Alcove.
Historic Railroad Square
Before starting your Santa Rosa adventures, fuel up for the day in Historic Railroad Square with breakfast or brunch at Americana, Omelette Express, and Aroma de Cafe Brunch, or caffeinate yourself at A'Roma Roasters Coffee & Tea or Rollup Coffee. While in the district, roam around to discover unique shops like Goblin Bros. Games & Gear, The Batcave Comics and Toys, and Cast Away Yarn Shop. Explore historic architecture, watch the SMART train arrive and depart, and hunt down various Peanuts on Parade statues within the district. After a full day exploring Santa Rosa, take the family to out for casual dining at local staples like Chevys, Lococo's Cucina Rustica, Khoom Lanna Thai Food, or Grossman’s Noshery & Bar. And to top the night off with a sweet treat, stop by Nimble & Finn's for handmade ice cream creations.
Tip for the adults: Don't forget to treat yourself to a little wind down time with wine tasting at 4th Street Cellars or Stonemason Cellars.
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