Trendy Guide to Visiting Santa Rosa, Sonoma County

I spent several seconds trying to come up with the correct title for this blog entry. The Hipster Guide, the Hip Guide? Well, I'm too old to be a hipster or know what they like. Besides I'm not a fan of man buns. And hip seems like too old of a word. But here we go with where to stay, where to eat, and what to do for those of you ahead of the crowds.

Astro Motel

Stay

Astro Motel in the South of A District. An old motel completely refurbished to mid-20th century style. Think orange, turquoise, and pink.

Safari West is an African animal preserve in the hills. You can spend a wild night glamping among the antelope and giraffes. No guarantee you'll sleep through the night listening to the nocturnal predators.

Eat

Walter Hansel Wine & Bistro is so unpretentious from the outside. It's nothing like that inside with organic chicken cordon blue and a Kobe-style beef burger. Sonoma County and French wines at reasonable prices. An old-time road house with up-to-date eats.

Spinster Sisters is right next to the Astro Motel. Unique California cuisine is the best description in sort of a casual cafe/wine bar setting. They will cater to the currently hip diets: vegan, GF, etc. though not sure about Paleo. This has been the trendiest restaurant in town since it opened about five years ago so I hope that still falls within the hipster guidelines.

The Jade Room is so chic it's not even open yet as I write this, but should be soon. This place has been the new, anticipated hot spot for several months now. It's supposed to be a oyster & wine bar with a sort of a cool, but casual vibe.

Stark's Steakhouse has been the top happy hour joint for quite awhile now. The Starks also own a funny named, but excellent restaurant called Bird & Bottle that has just started up what sounds like a great happy hour if you're okay with $4 martinis and margaritas made with quality booze plus $2 tacos. Get there before it gets as crowded as Stark's Steakhouse does at 5 pm.

Drink

Coffee at Acre, Aroma Roasters, Atlas, or Flying Goat. There's no reason to go to Starbucks. Aroma Roasters is the coolest as they have music on weekend nights. Of course, it's jazz or folk or something else that goes with coffee.

Wine tasting at Siduri Winery's warehouse (appt required). This is where the stuff is made and the Pinot Noir stuff is top-rate. You'll find a light industrial setting, not vineyards, not a fancy pants tasting "experience."

Beer at Brew Coffee and Beer. Yes, a combo you don't see every day. Coffee, beer, breakfast, lunch. If you're looking for a brewery (there are several) everyone will be at Russian River Brewery so you should go to Hen House or Cooperage (where the locals go). Better yet go to Plow, home of the best pilsner around (IPAs are so yesterday).

Cocktails at Jackson's Bar & Oven in Railroad Square. This is is as trendy as Santa Rosa gets. If you are in your 20s and work in Santa Rosa at a white collar job you are here after work -- at least that's what it seems like when I walk by and look in the window. I won't go in myself as I'd be the only one not ID'ed to buy a drink and that would be weird.

Whiskey at  Jack & Tony's in Railroad Square. There are several hundred whiskies from all over the world available and you can do a flight. Maybe you should use Lyft (does anyone still ride with Uber)? If you love rare Scotch you have just found heaven.

Hang Out

Montgomery Village Shopping Center

Montgomery Village is an old-fashioned open air shopping center built post-WWII. The hip don't go to the mall. Check out Copperfield's Books, Sonoma Outfitters, and Sur La Table. The Village is home to one of my favorite restaurants, SEA Thai Bistro (Thai food is kinda trendy). There are several other restaurants, food stores, knickknacks, and lots of clothing, of course. If you want to be cool stay out of the Lucky Supermarket, Ross, and Cattlemans Restaurant.

Railroad Square is part of downtown Santa Rosa that was spliced off by the building of the US101 freeway in the 1950s. This west side stayed undeveloped and what you might call funky. A lot of it looks a hundred years old, a lot of it is. There are a dozen restaurants, a couple of coffee shops, and several lodging options here plus there's a commuter train stop that runs from San Rafael to the Sonoma County Airport. For shopping you'll have antiques, vintage clothing, and art.

South of A Street Art District (or SOFA) is to be home to the Astro Motel and Spinster Sisters Restaurant listed above. In 2017 the San Francisco Chronicle declared this the new trendy neighborhood to visit in Santa Rosa. This area had high crime a decade or two ago then the artsy types moved in and now it has character. Start your day at Atlas Coffee and Criminal Baking, have lunch with a craft beer at The Naked Pig, get a tattoo at True Till Death, dinner at Spinster Sisters, then back to your room at the Astro Motel. It doesn't get more stylin' than spending a day like this.