The Perfect Weekend in Santa Rosa for Active Craft Beer (and Wine) Lovers
This post is sponsored by Visit Santa Rosa — your go-to resource to discover all there is to see, do, eat, drink, hike, bike, and explore in Sonoma County.
If you're an outdoorsy person who loves craft beer (and wine!), Santa Rosa, California, is the perfect destination for you. With stunning natural beauty, exciting outdoor activities, and fantastic craft breweries and wineries, Santa Rosa has everything you need for a perfect weekend getaway.
In this blog post, we'll cover the top places to stay, outdoor activities to enjoy, craft breweries and wineries to visit, and even some restaurant recommendations in Santa Rosa. Let’s jump right in!
Where to Stay in Santa Rosa
If you're looking for a unique and comfortable place to stay in Santa Rosa, The Astro Motel is it.
This stylish, retro motel is located in the heart of Santa Rosa and features spacious, comfortable rooms with modern amenities. It’s within walking distance to the heart of Santa Rosa, making everything easily accessible (and, honestly, hell yeah for staying active by walking or biking all around town).
The Astro Motel also has a cocktail lounge, a fire pit, and a barbecue area, making it the perfect place to relax after a day of outdoor activities.
Top Active Things to Do in Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise, with plenty of activities to enjoy (including a few indoor options for those rainy days). Here are a few of our top picks:
This beautiful climbing gym offers indoor rock climbing and a variety of fitness classes. We took a Sunday morning yoga class that left us refreshed (and definitely kicked our ass a bit, let’s be honest).
Other outdoor activities to enjoy in Santa Rosa include:
Hiking in the nearby parks, such as Trione-Annadel State Park and Hood Mountain Regional Park
Biking along the beautiful trails of the Santa Rosa Creek Greenway.
Kayaking, canoeing, or [our personal favorite] paddleboarding on the Russian River
Our Top Craft Breweries in Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa is known for its excellent craft breweries, and there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are some of our top picks:
This world-renowned brewery is famous for its Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger IPAs. If you’re attending one of their releases, make sure to get there early and be prepared to wait in line! The brewery also has a taproom that serves delicious food and a plethora of other yummy brews
This small, family-owned brewery specializes in traditional, German-style lagers and ales. The taproom is cozy and inviting, with friendly staff and excellent beer. (Oh, and it’s partially woman-owned.)
This Belgian-inspired brewery focuses on your traditional Belgian brews and has a cozy, rustic taproom with a heated patio. We recommend getting a flight (duh!) and stopping by on Sour Saturday.
Bonus: Unique Wineries in Santa Rosa
In addition to the craft breweries, Santa Rosa is also home to so many unique and beautiful wineries. And as self-proclaimed alcohol-agnostic drinkers, here are two of our top picks:
This stunning winery is located in the hills of Santa Rosa and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area. The winery has a tasting room, an art gallery, and beautiful outdoor spaces for picnics and events. Most importantly, this taproom houses a lot of the previous art exhibits from Burning Man — talk about a unique experience.
This family-owned winery specializes in sparkling wines (YAY! BUBBLES!) and offers tastings in a beautiful, chic tasting room. This is also a badass woman-owned winery — definitely check it out!
Where to Eat in Santa Rosa
After a day of outdoor activities and brewery or winery hopping, you'll need some delicious food to refuel. Santa Rosa is a foodie's paradise, with plenty of excellent restaurants to choose from. Whether you're in the mood for farm-to-table cuisine, Mexican dishes, or sweet treats, Santa Rosa has something for everyone. Here are some of our top picks:
This restaurant features farm-to-table cuisine with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients. The menu changes frequently, but you can always expect delicious, creative dishes with a focus on local flavors. Plus, they spotlight woman-owned wines on their menu, and we love to see it!
Belly Left Coast Kitchen and Taproom
This casual eatery offers delicious comfort food with a modern twist. The menu includes burgers, tacos, sandwiches, and salads, as well as a rotating selection of craft beers on tap. We also recommend their cocktails if you're getting a bit beer/wine'd out!
This lively restaurant offers delicious Mexican cuisine, including tacos, enchiladas, and fajitas. The extensive tequila selection and energetic atmosphere make it a perfect spot for a night out with friends. We highly recommend the queso — the cheese stretch game is real (and it's quite filling!).
Noble Folk Ice Cream & Pie Bar
If you're in the mood for something sweet, Noble Folk is the perfect spot. This ice cream and pie bar offers a rotating selection of homemade ice cream, pies, cookies, and macarons made with locally-sourced ingredients. Plus, this spot is super LGBTQ+-friendly!
This charming café offers delicious coffee and breakfast items, as well as a selection of Mexican-inspired dishes for lunch and dinner. The café also features a gallery of local art and live music on weekends. This was our top coffee spot of the trip — definitely check 'em out!
See why we think Santa Rosa is the perfect destination for outdoorsy craft beer (and wine) lovers? With plenty of outdoor activities, excellent craft breweries and wineries, and ease of getting from point A to point B, Santa Rosa has everything you need for a perfect weekend getaway. Whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation, Santa Rosa has something for everyone.
Shout out, again, to the folks at Visit Santa Rosa and The Astro Motel for hosting us!