Windsor California

Windsor California Information

Conveniently located on Highway 101 between Santa Rosa and Healdsburg, Windsor is Sonoma County's fourth largest city, with a population of about 23,000. This Northern Sonoma town is a logical place to stop as you travel along the main highway, providing you with a host of attractions, good places to eat, and plenty of lodging options.

About 63 miles from San Francisco and just a few minutes drive from the Sonoma County Airport, the area has become popular with those seeking desirable real estate away from the crowds of the city. Residents have deemed it a good place to raise a family and visitors who make their way to Windsor enjoy the beauty of wine country, plenty of green space, and some interesting attractions.

Though Windsor is located near a major highway, the town itself is quaint and welcoming. Make your first stop the Windsor Chamber of Commerce visitor's center near the Windsor Town Green, where you'll be greeted by helpful volunteers who can direct you to the town's best sites, steer you towards the yummiest bakery in town, or help you find accommodations to suit your needs.

If you've come to Sonoma County for its wealth of fine arts, Windsor will no doubt please you. Windsor is full of artists and the Windsor Art Council works to bring them together for support and community. The council sponsors the annual Windsor Fine Arts Show, holds educational programs and classes, and organized the Windsor Artists' Cooperative Gallery in the Old Downtown area. Be sure to take some time to browse this and other galleries while in town.

Windsor activities should also include some time spent outdoors. Head to the Shiloh Ranch Regional Park, with 850 acres of open space and plenty of room to hike, bike, or just run around and have fun. Shiloh has three miles of picturesque hiking/biking trails, also suitable for equestrians. Have a picnic by the pond or roam the pretty woodland areas that cover the park.

Of course, if you've come for the wine, Windsor is centrally located and accessible to many of Sonoma County's award-winning wineries. Do a self-guided tour or consider something a bit unusual, like touring in a Land Rover. These vine rover tours add a little extra something to a fun day of tasting and admiring the stunning countryside.

Windsor hosts a variety of local events and one of the favored locations for these festivals is the town "green". You'll find Shakespeare on the Green, concerts and other presentations during Summer Nights on the Green, and many more events at this popular gathering place. The Windsor Harvest Festival Parade takes place on Labor Day, and the magnificent Hot Air Balloon Classic happens each July in downtown Keiser Park. Fourth of July brings Fireworks and an Old Time Celebration to this close-knit town.

If you're stopping in Windsor for a bite to eat, you'll find that Windsor restaurants are generally small yet of good quality. Choose from a number of ethnic restaurants, fast food chains, bistros and cafes, and a handful of very elegant eateries.

Windsor lodging includes an excellent resort and a few smaller inns and motels. More varied accommodations are available in either Santa Rosa or Healdsburg.