Surprises in Santa Rosa: there's more to nosh on than Peanuts in this wine country town - Northern California Day Trip

Sunset, Sept, 2003 by Lisa Taggart

In Santa Rosa, happiness is a warm puppy--and a warm scone. You can find it all in this town, from original Peanuts comic strips at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center to cozy meals at new restaurants and old favorites.

The hottest addition downtown is the Culinary Cafe and Bakery (bakery 7:30-2 Man-Fri, lunchroom 11:30-2 Wed-Fri; in the Santa Rosa Junior College Culinary Arts Center, 458 B St.; 707/576-0279), which opened earlier this year. It's staffed by students of Santa Rosa Junior College's Culinary Arts Program under the direction of chef instructors. Modest prices and academic enthusiasm are the icing; stellar pastries and elegant meals in a humble-looking lunchroom are the cake.

If you're in town on the weekend (when the cafe is closed), there are still many great dining choices near Historic Railroad Square, the shopping district west of U.S. 101 (downtown exit). This is where you'll find antiques stores and stately basalt buildings such as the 1904 railroad depot (now a visitor center) and the 1907 Hotel La Rose.

Start off with a few local hangouts: a hearty plate of eggs at Omelette Express (112 Fourth St.; 707/525-1690) or caffeinated beverages at Flying Goat Coffee (10 Fourth; 707/575-1202).

Because it's adjacent to the big, new Vineyard Creek Hotel, Spa & Conference Center next to the highway, you might miss the Seafood Brasserie (170 Railroad St.; 707/636-7388). That would be a mistake. The year-old eatery has many surprisingly distinctive dishes.

Another nearby star is Syrah Bistro (closed Sun-Mon; 205 Fifth St.; 707/568-4002), with French-inspired lunches and dinners accompanied by California wines. If you take a fancy to a particular varietal, you can purchase it from the restaurant's wine shop, Petite Syrah.

For a Sonoma-style dinner, visit the area east of U.S. 101 known as Courtyard Square. At cute Cafe Lolo (closed Sun; 620 Fifth; 707/576-7822) food is prepared with fresh, regional ingredients; desserts are tops.

When you've had your fill of culinary delights, walk or drive less than 1 mile south on Santa Rosa Avenue to admire the blooming roses and burbling fountains at Luther Burbank Home & Gardens (Santa Rosa Ave. and Sonoma Ave.; www.lutherburbank.org or 707/524-5445). Or head 2 miles north on U.S. 101 and exit at West Steele Lane to visit the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center (closed Tue; $8; 2301 Hardies Lane; www.schulzmuseum.org or 707/579-4452). Here, playful tributes to Snoopy and a 3,588-tile mosaic of Lucy pulling away the football one last time are the visual equivalent of comfort food.

Santa Rosa scoop

Downtown Santa Rosa straddles U.S. 101 in Sonoma County, 56 miles north of San Francisco. For general information, visit the California Welcome Center, Santa Rosa and Santa Rosa Convention & Visitors Bureau (9 Fourth St.; www.visitsantarosa.com, 800/404-7673, or 707/577-8674).