If you want to plan a romantic getaway without the hassle of flying or spending days in a car, Santa Rosa is a great destination for a date weekend. An hour north of San Francisco, the Santa Rosa region makes for a tranquil escape from Bay Area traffic and sprawl, yet with all of NorCal’s beloved cultural amenities: wineries, craft beer, a healthy-slow-foods movement and outdoor adventures galore.
When you’re planning that romantic getaway, here are the star spots to keep in mind, sorted by interest.
When you can’t decide between wine and a museum: Paradise Ridge Winery
You know you’re still in the Bay Area when you suddenly see art from Burning Man reappear in the real world. Paradise Ridge is both a winery and a sculpture gallery — indeed, the Voigt Family Sculpture Foundation curates a selection of on-site sculptures that can be seen on a self-guided tour of the 156-acre estate. Laura Kimpton and Jeff Schomberg’s “LOVE” statue, seen in countless friends’ Instagram photos, is one of the main attractions.
“My parents built the winery specifically because they wanted to share the space,” said Rene Byck, one of the current co-owners. He described the winery as a semi-public space that hosts art, picnics and hiking, in addition to being a winery. Byck calls Paradise Ridge’s winemaking methodology “California-style, fruit forward.” “We like making wines that are good with food,” he added.
And speaking of romance: Because of the stunning natural beauty — the vineyard looks out over the Sonoma Valley — it’s also a great place to get married or pop the question. “We’ve had a lot of people come here to propose,” said Byck, laughing. Supposedly, no one who has been proposed to at Paradise Ridge has ever said no.
Paradise Ridge Winery
4545 Thomas Lake Harris Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 528–9463
When you want a quick, unassuming, but still healthy bite: Amy’s Drive Thru
You know those delicious and health-conscious frozen dinners you can get at the grocery store labeled “Amy’s”? Turns out that the same company has one — yes, only one! — fast-food joint, and it’s in Rohnert Park just south of Santa Rosa. It’s a shame it’s the only one in the world because the food is what all fast food should aspire to: it’s healthy (delicious salads, without any GMOs or corn syrup); it’s fast; and it’s inexpensive. (And here I thought that that was supposed to be impossible.)
Standouts include an In-N-Out–quality vegetarian cheeseburger with a soft bun and melty cheese; chili-cheese fries that leave you feeling sated, not bloated; and a selection of interesting salads. And the vegan milk shake is not only indistinguishable from a regular milk shake, but also it’s really, really good.
The most innovative thing about Amy’s, though, is that it is the only restaurant (much less the only fast-food joint) I have ever been to that makes people with dietary restrictions and allergies feel welcome. Large signs in friendly fonts are plastered over the menu and register, “Please let us know if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions!” My mother, who has celiac disease, has always had to embarassingly bring this up to her server—but not here, where allergy sufferers and vegans alike will feel at home.
Amy’s Drive Thru
58 Golf Course Drive West
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
When you want to surprise him or her: Safari West wildlife preserve
One of the most exotic dates you can try in the region would be at Safari West, just 11 miles north of the city. This education and conservation center — I hesitate to say “zoo,” although it’s sort of that too — is situated in the rolling California hills, dotted with lichen-dripping oak trees that recall Steinbeck’s old-world California. However, unlike in East of Eden, this California savannah is dotted with gazelles, zebras and even a few cheetahs. “It makes a great surprise for couples,” said Daniel Cusimano, the director of research, education and conservation, who showed us around the 400-acre preserve.
In addition to day tours, there are intimate safari tents in the hills—more like cabins in practice — that come well appointed with woodworked beds and showers and make for a great overnight stay. “Overnight guests, especially kids, like to run around with the guinea hens,” said Daniel. Indeed, the guinea hens were quite cute, though the dense flocks of flamingos and neighboring giraffes were a sight to behold.
Your visit to Safari West helps raise money for conservation efforts and research — the preserve helps breed and study endangered animals, contributing to vital paleobiology and conservation research.
Safari West Wildlife Preserve
3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
(707) 579–2551
Reservation only: occasionally, they can make same-day accommodations, but on average, reservations should be made two weeks in advance.
When you want gourmet food without the pretense: Belly Left Coast Kitchen & Taproom
Big-screen TVs. Reclaimed-wood floors. Bumper stickers. Belly’s inviting atmosphere makes it feel like a place that wants you to stick around for a long evening rather than a quick drink. But the food belies the pub atmosphere: sautéed shishito peppers, garden truffle mac ’n’ cheese and smoked-brisket tacos elevate pub fare to an art. The menu is the brainchild of proprieter Gray Rollin, a former Chopped contestant who has been dubbed “The Rock ’N’ Roll Chef” due to his side career cooking on the road for internationally renowned musical acts like T-Pain, KISS, Linkin Park and Prince (RIP). Belly’s menu is greatly influenced by the regional beer and wine scene, and both drinks feature in many of the dishes as reductions or in the dough. Belly is due to double its size soon, at which point it will expand to include 66 taps.
Belly Left Coast Kitchen & Tap Room523 4th Street, Santa Rosa
(707) 526–5787
And speaking of beer… there’s Russian River Brewing Company
Chef Rollin of Belly also described Russian River Brewing Company as “probably one of the best craft breweries in the entire world.” He would know, having traveled the planet cooking and sampling world cuisine. If you’ve ever lived in New York City, you know that the water is what makes the pizza dough so good; to analogize here, the clean waters of the Russian River feed the taps at the brewery, a loft-like space with a beer shop in the middle of downtown Santa Rosa. Pliny the Eldner, a West Coast–style Imperial IPA, is perhaps their most renowned brew — and if the bottled version is one of the most sought-after beers in the world, you can imagine how enchanting it is to try it fresh on tap.
Russian River Brewing Company
725 4th Street, Santa Rosa
(707) 545–2337
When you want the perfect date-night dinner: The County Bench Kitchen + Bar
Wood beams, brick walls and minimalist-modern table settings characterize the complex tastes of this California restaurant. The menu comes out in a carefully arranged order—the drink menu first, then entrees, then desserts — to create a curated and personal experience. Attention is lavished on every dish and drink—the “English smoke” cocktail arrived with applewood smoke artfully sublimating off the fist-size ice cube. As for entrees, the chicken breast was soft and tender with a perfectly crunchy exterior and sat on a bed of flavorful greens roasted and mixed with a savory rice; the sole and ribs seemed like an odd combination, yet it combined perfectly — the short ribs had been cooking all day, and the pan juice from the meat was reduced with red wine and served aside the potatoes and fish. For dessert, don’t miss the cognac ice cream, made with liquid nitrogen and served alongside the apple tart — a perfect complement to the sweet apple flavors.
What sets County Bench apart in particular is the atmosphere: though the menu says “upscale,” the dress isn’t — our waiter looked like he was having fun at his job in plaid and jeans. The clientele dresses similarly. Leave the tux and evening gown at home, and have a fancy meal without the dry-cleaning bill.
The County Bench Kitchen + Bar
535 4th Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
(707) 535–0700
When you want to go for a romantic hike and picnic: Armstrong Woods
Twenty minutes west of the city of Santa Rosa, Armstrong Redwoods Preserve offers all the beauty and grandeur of a place like Muir Woods, without the foot traffic. The scenery varies from massive old-growth trees to stunning vistas that offer postcard portraits of rolling green (in winter) or yellow (other seasons) California hills and meadows. A variety of trail slope levels, from gentle and flat to steep, make for accommodating hiking options.
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Preserve
$8 day pass
17000 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville, CA 95446
When it’s bedtime: Flamingo Hotel or Courtyard Marriott
If the pink, rotating neon sign didn’t clue you in, the Flamingo Resort Hotel is an historic piece of 1950s Americana with 21st-century amenities. The hotel itself is shaped like a five-pointed star, with radial rooms pointing outward and a heated pool at the center. Dancing, live music and other nightly events happen in the bar and dance floor, and the foyer features vintage photographs of California celebrities in Cadillacs luxuriating on the hotel’s grounds.
Closer toward downtown sits the Courtyard Marriot, a well-appointed and contemporary mini-skyscraper just a short walk to many of the above-mentioned restaurants (including Belly). A door divider between the bedroom and foyer, and a sink outside of the bathroom, make the suites feel spacious and well divided. A big breakfast selection with many healthy options and a friendly vibe at the evening bar make this a great option for couples who want to be near the action.
Flamingo Resort Hotel
2777 4th Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95405
(707) 545–8530
Courtyard Marriott
175 Railroad Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
(707) 573–9000
For more information on the ultimate Santa Rosa vacation, visit www.visitsantarosa.com.
