In the July 2010 issue of Travel + Leisure Magazine, Santa Rosa within Sonoma County has been praised as the New Face of California Wine Country. Santa Rosa a modest-sized city within the bounds of the San Francisco Bay, is the state's little secret. The characteristic clear skies and perfect temperatures may be behind the allure of the city that calls out to people moving to California. Or it may be the large number of small approachable businesses including Santa Rosa moving companies that have won the hearts of locals and lure in new visitors every year. Many publications and bloggers seem to admire and yearn for Santa Rosa living. In these cities that make up Sonoma County, it's not rare to find someone that has lived in a big city, commuting to their corporate jobs on a daily basis, only to one day quit their city lives for a life on a small farm. In Santa Rosa, there's nature, sunlight and fresh food—that's all you need.
Economy:
Santa Rosa is the biggest city between Portland and San Francisco. Like these other popular Californian destinations, Santa Rosa is a place where dreams come true for local mom-and-pop stores as well as for bigger corporations. There is space for technology companies to take off or for a local designer to start his/her own business. Santa Rosa boasts a well-rounded economy that is picked up by the tourism, manufacturing exports and retail businesses. Also, Santa Rosa is wine country. There are over 100 wineries and vineyards in the area. With a population of over 150,000 in this area, there is plenty of health to get businesses and ideas off the ground. The area's largest employers are in the healthcare field.
Since 2008, there has been a economic development and housing project to strengthen Downtown Santa Rosa where most of the city's entrepreneurs and creative individuals thrive. This project will try to bring more people to the area by creating newsletters, maintaining a website, open an information kiosk convenient to those on vacation or people interested in moving to Santa Rosa.
History:
Santa Rosa's history starts with Native American residence, which preceded the arrival the family of Maria Lopez Carrillo that settled in a ranch that occupies the space that is the city's downtown area currently. Spanish and Mexican settlers came to Santa Rosa, raised livestock and caught fish by the fork of the Santa Rosa Creek. By 1850s, a Wells Fargo post and general store opened up bringing resources to even more people. A public square eventually developed as more and more people came to settle in the Californian city. The county incorporated Santa Rosa in 1867 and in 1868 the city was incorporated into the state. Development of the city was slow until the end of World War II, when the population grew an average 1,000 people per year.
Tourism:
For the perfect day to relocate or if you are looking for the perfect time to visit Santa Rosa, California, plan around the delicious highlights year round. During the summer months, there are fun and healthy farmer's markets that take place. In the fall, there are vineyards to discover as well as many festivals celebrating the healthy crops of pears, apples and tomatoes.
Other than the farm trails and eating local fruits and vegetables, there are also many things to do. Santa Rose is just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, sits next to the Russian River and stretches out to the Pacific Coast and Sonoma Mountains. There is plenty to do outdoors as well as indoors.