SANTA ROSA - The City of Roses

Santa Rosa, at first glance, appears to be a typical California city which grew from a Spanish Rancho to an expanding American metropolis. In this fabled scenic valley a unique historical identity was carved out by names like the Fort Ross Russians, General Mariano Vallejo, the Bear Flaggers, Luther Burbank, Jack London, the Fountain Grove Utopians, pianist Paderewski, to the contemporary comic strip artist of "Peanuts" fame, Charles Schulz.

Santa Rosa developed in the center of a broad valley that stretches from San Francisco Bay to the Russian River. With the Russians settling on the north coast in 1812 this valley became the crossroads of a strategic frontier. To prevent the threat of further Russian expansion the Spanish extended their chain of missions northward, and in 1833 the Mexican Government sent General Mariano Vallejo to Sonoma County for purposes of colonization. The arrival of American settlers, and the ensuing Bear Flag Revolt in 1846, turned Santa Rosa into an American trading post which became a surveyed village seven years later.

SANTA ROSA MORE

Winter temperatures range between freezing to 70 degrees and in the summers the temperature can rise into the 100's. Visitors can excape the summer heat and stay in a multitude of motels, hotels, bed n breakfast inns, campgrounds and RV parks. Fancy to traditional restaurants satisfy appetites from raw-vegan to steaks and seafood. Those seeking more extravagant and romantic dinners and accommodations will not be disapointed as there are many choices. Here is Today's Weather, Today's Tide Chart, and Today's Nightime Star Chart. Enjoy the "Mom & Pop" business's linked to and in some cases reviewed below.