Enjoy many hands-on activities at the Charles M. Schulz Museum. Photo by Gina Ragland

Awesome Museums in Santa Rosa for Kids

1. Charles M. Schulz Museum

No matter where you go in Santa Rosa, you'll see Peanuts art sculptures and statues. That's because Charles M. Schulz, the creator of the popular Peanuts comic strip, was from Santa Rosa!

At the Charles M. Schulz Museum, kids can learn all about the origin of Charlie Brown. Don't miss the second-floor Education Room, where you'll find interactive coloring sheets and crayons, art projects like constructing Snoopy's dog house, comics tracing, and more. While this museum is wonderful for all ages, it's best suited for elementary-aged students and older who can read and understand the comics.

2. Children's Museum of Sonoma County

If you have kids ages 10 and under, prepare to spend a lot of time at this awesome museum right next to the Charles M. Schulz Museum. Every corner of it has unique exhibits, from space shuttles to a baby area with a ball pit and a tree house. The outdoor exhibits make this one of the best museums for kids in Northern California. Kids can climb into a helicopter, ride trikes, toss rocks into a little Russian River, and immerse themselves in art and water play.

3. Pacific Coast Air Museum

Kids who love planes will want to jet over to this open-air museum that combines aircraft and history. There are many airplanes and helicopters on display! The museum is also known for its popular open cockpit days.

4. Environmental Discovery Center

Ready for a free hidden gem in Santa Rosa that kids will love? Tucked away in Spring Lake Regional Park is the Environmental Discovery Center. There's a tide pool with live sea creatures, hands-on science experiments, and taxidermied animals.

5. Museum of Sonoma County

Not to be confused with the Children's Museum of Sonoma County, the Museum of Sonoma County is walkable to downtown Santa Rosa. The museum has family-friendly events and exhibits to learn the area's history.

Yup, you can see giraffes in the middle of Santa Rosa! Photo courtesy of Safari West

Best Outdoor Activities for Kids in Santa Rosa

6. Safari West 

Did you know you can see giraffes and rhinos in wine country? Safari West takes families on an open-air safari through its Sonoma County property. There's also the option to stay the night and go glamping. Kids must be at least 4 years old to go on the Classic Safari.

7. Howarth Park

While Howarth Park is fun for kids all year, summer is the prime time for all attractions in the park. There are multiple play structures and an Old West play area. In the summertime, the park has a carousel, train rides, an animal barn, and pony rides.

8. Finley Aquatic Center

Finley Aquatic Center is a must-do in the summer. In 2025, a brand-new spray ground opened for kids of all ages. It includes 15 interactive water sprayers ranging from mild sprayers for younger kids to gigantic splashes that older kids will appreciate.

9. Sonoma Zipline Adventures

Older kids will love the challenge of zip lining through redwood trees and experiencing a unique outdoor adventure in wine country.

10. Spring Lake Park Water Park

For a fun seasonal activity, bring older kids to this inflatable water playground in the summer. The Spring Lake Water Park is in the same park as the Environmental Discovery Center. After all the fun in the park, grab some snacks at the Spring Lake Park Cafe.

11. Luther Burbank Gardens

Stroll the gorgeous Luther Burbank Gardens to take in the beautiful flowers. This is a lovely spot for families to relax and take time to stop and smell the roses.

Glide on over to Snoopy's Home Ice. Photo courtesy of Visit Santa Rosa

Fun Indoor Activities for Kids

12. Snoopy's Home Ice

Ice skating and Peanuts go hand-in-hand! Kids of all ages can go ice skating at Snoopy's Home Ice. Even toddlers can test out the ice, as there is a weekly Toddlers On Ice program.

13. Poppy Bank Epicenter

There is no shortage of things to do at this gigantic entertainment complex. Families can enjoy bowling, laser tag, arcades, a trampoline park, and a two-story indoor play structure. Even younger kids can get in on the fun in a soft-play toddler area.

14. Hop Hop Indoor Playground

Little ones can burn energy at this indoor playground in the Santa Rosa Plaza shopping mall, which has an animal-themed play structure and other interactive elements.

15. Vertex Climbing Center

The nice thing about rock-climbing gyms is that they can occupy kids of a wide age range. Luckily, there's one in Santa Rosa where kids ages 5-17 can ascend to new heights. 

Fuel up for the day at Mac's Deli. Photo courtesy of Gina Ragland

Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Santa Rosa

16. Mac's Deli

Mac's Deli feels like a retro diner with a modern twist. This welcoming eatery offers an expansive menu with a wide range of breakfast and lunch items. It's very family-friendly with a relaxing atmosphere in downtown Santa Rosa, making it a great way to begin a fun day.

17. The Warm Puppy Cafe

This Snoopy-themed cafe, located in the same building as Snoopy's Home Ice, serves up favorite kids' fare like chicken tenders and mac and cheese. You can watch skaters and hockey players as you sip on the cafe's signature cocoa. Dining here rounds out a complete Peanuts day, as it's a quick walk to the Charles M. Schulz Museum.

18. La Rosa 

If you want to enjoy a nice dinner but still need something kid-friendly, look no further than La Rosa. This Mexican restaurant has ample outdoor seating next to Old Courthouse Square in downtown Santa Rosa. The kids menu includes all the favorites, such as chicken tenders and quesadillas, and doubles as a coloring sheet to entertain kids before their food arrives.

19. Americana 

Start the day with farm-to-fork fare at this trendy, yet approachable family-friendly restaurant. With greenery lining the walls and large windows facing the street, the atmosphere is relaxing and warm. You might need to get two orders of the beignets, as the kids will want them all. Americana has a parking lot, which is a nice bonus!

20. Downtown Barbecue

After a busy day exploring the sights in Santa Rosa, a comforting plate of barbecue and cornbread answers the call. Downtown Barbecue is known for its outdoor space, perfect for kids to stretch their legs without being near the smoker. There's even a photo booth inside the restaurant with props like cowboy hats.

21. Noble Folk 

Noble Folk is where to go when you're craving a sweet treat. Flavors are constantly rotating based on in-season ingredients at this small-batch ice cream purveyor. Grab an ice cream flight for the whole family and take it across the street to one of the picnic tables at Old Courthouse Square.

Family-Friendly Wineries Near Santa Rosa 

22. Belden Barns — Santa Rosa

At Belden Barns, kids can participate in the unique experience of a vineyard scavenger hunt, which includes backpacks you can reserve for free. The backpacks include field guides to local birds, binoculars, crayons, magnifying glasses, and a checklist of what to find on the vineyard property. Belden Barns also has cornhole and a basketball hoop for families to enjoy.

23. Larson Family Winery — Sonoma

Larson Family Winery is a Sonoma County vineyard that welcomes kids. You won't feel awkward taking your kids here, as it's an inviting environment. Kids can enjoy coloring, juice boxes, snacks, and lawn games like corn hole and bocce.

24. ACORN Winery — Healdsburg

This owners of this small winery are super friendly—during the tour, they'll let you try the grapes right off the vines! Kids can wander the vineyards next to the tasting room and build with LEGO bricks, color with crayons, or challenge their parents to a game of cornhole.

25. Francis Ford Coppola Winery — Sonoma

One of the best kid-friendly wineries in Sonoma County, this winery is known for its namesake: Francis Ford Coppola. Movie buffs love the film props on site, like Don Corleone's desk in The Godfather. What really makes this winery a hit for little ones (and adults!) is the pool. Parents can enjoy wine and food poolside while little ones splash in the water. This resort-like winery even lets guests rent private cabanas.

More Sonoma County Family Activities

26. Sonoma TrainTown Railroad — Sonoma

This is the one of the best things to do in Sonoma with kids who are still little. Hop aboard a miniature train for a scenic ride through tunnels, over bridges, and past a petting zoo, where you can hop off and feed the animals. There are also six other amusement rides, including a carousel and a mini coaster, and antique cabooses and locomotives to look at.

27. Explore Healdsburg

In this charming city, families can enjoy farm-to-table restaurants and wineries, fun in the Russian River, paddle boating, and—in the summer—cheering on the Healdsburg Prune Packers baseball team.

28. Sonoma Fun Center — Sonoma

At Sonoma Fun Center, families can enjoy an 18-hole mini golf course, an arcade, and a famous Sonoma Slush—a slushie layered with soft-serve ice cream and fun toppings of your choosing.

Where to Stay in Santa Rosa with Kids

29. Art House Hotel

If you're looking for spacious suites in a convenient location that the entire family will enjoy, Art House Hotel is the spot. It's easily walkable to downtown Santa Rosa. The suites are enormous, with full kitchens and full refrigerators—a nice luxury you don't often see in hotel rooms.

30. Flamingo Resort

This resort has what every parent dreams of while on vacation with kids: child care! Hotel guests can drop off babies ages 6 to 12 months for a maximum of one hour. Children ages 1-12 years can stay up to two hours. Parents do need to remain on the property while using the child care service, so take advantage of the fitness center, spa, or pool while someone else is watching the kids for once.

FAQs About Visiting Santa Rosa in Sonoma County with Kids

Are there kid-friendly wineries?
Yes! Several kid-friendly wineries in Sonoma County give grape juice and coloring sheets to children. Check out the best kid-friendly wineries in Napa, Sonoma, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

What's the best time of year to visit with kids?
Summer is one of the best times to visit Santa Rosa with kids. There are seasonal activities such as the Spring Lake Water Park, the train and carousel in Howarth Park, and the brand-new splash pad at Finley Aquatic Center. But each season has something for families—pumpkin patches in the fall, mustard seeds in winter, and barns and farms in the spring.

Do I need a car to get around Santa Rosa?
Yes! If you stay in downtown Santa Rosa, restaurants and shops are within walking distance. However, a car is needed to reach most kid-friendly attractions.

Is Santa Rosa stroller-friendly?
Absolutely! With flat, spacious sidewalks, downtown Santa Rosa is easy to navigate with a stroller.

Read more: Ultimate California Bucket List: 100 Things To Do with Kids in CA

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