The city of Santa Rosa has been around for nearly 190 years and has never stopped growing. And one look at this incredible city will tell you why. The area is home to great people, comfortable California weather, and a lot of fun things to do.
If you’re thinking about moving to Santa Rosa, we’ve put together this guide to teach you everything you need to know about what it’s like to live there. Learn more about the population, local neighborhoods, and even the cost of living in Santa Rosa by reading below.
Table of Contents
1. Santa Rosa People
2. City of Stars – Famous People of Santa Rosa, CA
In a state recognized for being the home to Hollywood and other major star cities, Santa Rosa has produced a large number of famous individuals over the years. Arguably the most well-known is Charles M. Schulz, the creator of beloved characters like Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and Woodstock in the cartoon Peanuts.
You’ve no doubt also heard about Ripley’s Believe It or Not, which was started by Santa Rosa native, Robert L. Ripley.
Another celebrity born in this city is Chad Channing, the drummer for Nirvana. Guy Fieri, the celebrity chef and host of tv shows like Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives currently lives here. Along with Jussie Smollet, a movie and television star best known for his role in the hit show Empire.
3. Things to Do and Places to Eat in Santa Rosa
You’ll find a wealth of fun activities around this bustling city including the Safari West wildlife park. It is a 400-acre plot that features a wide variety of animals from Africa such as rhinos, giraffes, hyenas, monkeys, and many others. Another great location in town is Howarth Park, where you can go out on Lake Ralphine, enjoy the gorgeous landscapes, and even ride the small train.
Safari West
Santa Rosa was proud to have been home to such a man as Charles M. Schulz. Only two years after he passed away in 2000, the city built and dedicated a museum to his timeless Peanuts artwork. The Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center is still one of the most popular things to do around town.
Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center
And if all these activities give you a big appetite, we know just where you should go. One of the greatest places to eat in Santa Rosa is Stark’s Steak & Seafood for everything from oysters and shellfish to salads and steaks. Another hot spot is Dierk’s Parkside Cafe, a top restaurant for American comfort food.
And one more eatery deserving of a spot on this list is LoCoco’s Cucina Rustica, where you can enjoy savory pasta plates, as well as other Italian chicken and steak dishes.
Stark’s Steak & Seafood
4. Quadrant Neighborhoods
Santa Rosa neighborhoods are split into four parts by the Redwood Highway (US 101) and the Luther Burbank Memorial Highway (Hwy 12). Santa Rosa zip codes are 95401, 95402, 95403, 95404, 95405, 95406, 95407, and 95409. They are separated into directional quadrants of northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest. Each part has a bit of its own flair and character to go along with the area.
Starting in the southwest quadrant, you’ll find the community of Roseland which was annexed by Santa Rosa in November 2017. Across the 101 on the southeast side is the Bennett Valley Golf Course and Homeowners Association.
Then, in the northeast part of town is the small area of Fountaingrove, which was established by a small group of people to be its own personal utopia. While to the northwest is the quiet and comfortable neighborhood known as West End.
5. Cost of Living in Santa Rosa
When compared to California averages, the cost of living in Santa Rosa is similar in numerous ways. One of the few differences is the large percentage that locals save on transportation costs. Thanks to its distance from larger cities like Sacramento and San Francisco, this area doesn’t deal with nearly as much traffic, making car insurance, local transit, and other prices about 35% less than California’s average.
The only other difference which partially counteracts that savings is the cost of housing around town. The average price of a home in Santa Rosa is currently $576,400, which has only seen a 0.9% increase over the past year. It is expected to remain a buyers’ market for at least another year with a minimal projected rise of 0.3% during the next 12 months.
6. Plenty of Schools to Choose From
Schools in Santa Rosa have had to keep up with the rapid growth over the years, making it home to five school districts at this time. In the Rincon Valley Union School district, you’ll find great education programs at schools like Austin Creek Elementary. Middle school students will find the best option at Mark West Charter School.
And if you have teenagers, Maria Carrillo High and Santa Rosa High are the two best options, both of which are in the Santa Rosa District.
7. A City of Great Jobs
Santa Rosa jobs are flowing in the local economy with the low unemployment rate currently around 2.5% for the city. Forbes has ranked the area as one of the top 100 best places for business and careers, stapling it as a California powerhouse for people seeking gainful employment.
Over 5,000 people are employed by the local government as part of the Sonoma County offices. While healthcare also has a solid footprint in the area with Kaiser Permanente locations boasting more than 2,600 employees from Santa Rosa. St. Joseph Health System hospitals and the Santa Rosa Junior College also have a large number of jobs offered in the city.
8. Santa Rosa Weather
Moving to Santa Rosa?
This charming city offers a comfortable lifestyle that is more than two hours away from any other major California city. People living in Santa Rosa enjoy the many things to do, fantastic weather, and clean neighborhoods. It’s no surprise why the city continues to grow every single year.
Are you thinking about moving to Santa Rosa? Mentors Moving & Storage conducts over 1,200 moves each year, giving us the experience and industry knowledge necessary to handle any relocation. Whether you’re transitioning into the area or out of it, we can help!
For more information, give us a call today at (661) 325-6683. Or fill out the Request a Quote form at the top of this page to receive a free moving estimate.
