Cool stuff to do in Santa Rosa area?

Point Reyes and Annadel State Park. The later especially if you like mountain biking.

 

I've hiked Point Reyes a couple of times this year and it's a nice area for hiking when the weather is clear. The Tomales Point hike (9.5 mi round trip) had awesome views and plenty of Thule elk out earlier this summer when they were in breeding season, but I am a little out of shape and was definitely sore for the last two miles or so. The shorter trails in the southern portion of Point Reyes National Seashore are great as well.

However, it's still a bit of a drive away from Santa Rosa, probably a good hour to hour and a half depending on traffic, but still a nice way to spend the afternoon before continuing north.

 

Annadel is awesome. Really cool mix of redwoods, open meadows, ponds, etc.

Have you ever been out to Occidental? Really cool little town with an awesome little place called Barley and Hops Tavern. Some of the best pub food I have ever had. Also an amazing bakery in nearby Freestone (Wild Flour?)

 

Armstrong Redwoods and Goat Rock State Beach
Flavors Unlimited and Boon Eat + Drink in Guerneville
Dierk's Parkside and Dierk's Midtown Cafe
Spinster Sisters
Belly West Coast Kitchen
Willow Wood in Graton

Still waiting for the following places to open this summer: Moonlight tasting room, Woodfour Brewing and Warped Brewing at Barlow in Sebastopol, and Fogbelt Brewing

 

Lagunitas tour. Their tasting room has outdoor seating... >_>

 

If you have any sort of nostalgic feelings towards Peanuts cartoons, the Charles M. Schultz Museum is pretty delightful.

 

Drink

 

Hiking Mt. St. Helena is the pinnacle (even though it's easy hiking, just long). I'm a fan of climbing Bald Mountain. On a clear day you can see SF, Oakland, an the Sierras.

 

Bring some bottles to Napa and have a bottleshare at my place in Napa. :-)
When you heading up?

 

Can't recommend Flying Goat enough for coffee/pastries. They blow away Blue Bottle and Ritual Roasters. For dinner I really like Lococo's, Willi's Wine Bar, Zazu and La Texanita.

 

I was in Santa Rosa yesterday after spending the weekend in Guernville. We stopped at this cool little spot for brunch called "Worth Our Weight." It's a non-profit restaurant and culinary apprentice program where the food doesn't have a price, and they simply ask for a donation equal to what you think the meal was worth.

It was actually a pretty great experience, and the food was excellent. More info here. From their site:

WOW apprentices are young people from 16-24 who have faced major challenges in their lives, including foster care, difficulties with the law, homelessness, and significant family disruption. We provide tuition-free culinary and food service training.

I had the huevos rancheros, but the chicken and waffle looked awesome too.

 

It's gonna be hot as balls in Santa Rosa in August. Go toward the coast. Point Reyes is incredible.

 

I always enjoy a summer visit to Bodega Head beach. I like Goat Rock more, because you'll see seals really up close and personal. The big thing is hitting the coast -- it's almost always cool out there even when it's in the 100s inland.

 

Definitely Annadel if you're looking for some hiking. And I secon Barley & Hops Tavern. Stop by Wildflower Bakery in Freestone while you're out there for some awesome bread.

 

Get tacos in Roseland. Second best trucks I've been to after Oakland.

 

The ocean isn't too far away.
Toad in the Hole is a decent pub.
Hit up my buddies Aweful Falafel food truck...if you like bomb-ass food truck food and shwerma the size of your foot.

 

Im will be making my first trip up to russian river soon, is there any fishing spots worth stopping by in the northbay?