Whilst it might not look like much on the map, Rohnert Park is a Californian city that offers tourists many unique attractions, not least because of its proximity to Sonoma Wine Country. Whether you’re visiting with family or friends, the area is located just south of Santa Rosa and is an affordable basecamp for vacationers in the area thanks to the Good Nite Inn Rohnert Park situated just off of Route 101. Not only are the accommodation options perfect for flexible visits, but the area itself is home to some undiscovered gems for tourists.
This blog will explore some of the great activities and attractions situated in and around Rohnert Park, as well as the unique history of the area. Whether passing through or staying for your vacation using a Good Nite Inn promotion code, there’s more to write home about than you’d think in Rohnert Park.
A Brief History of Rohnert Park
Rohnert Park was not a city until the 1960s’ when it was officially incorporated into the surrounding area. Before that, Rohnert Park was a small settlement that had been set up by the Rohnert family, who had bought the land that is now Rohnert Park and set up a seed farm business in the area. This was in the late 20s’, before that the area was gifted to Captain Juan Castaneda as “Rancho Cotate” by the Mexican government. This was during the Mexican ownership of California in the early to mid-19th century. Before then, the area was lived in by the Coast Miwok natives before colonizers entered the area. As you can see then, Rohnert Park has had quite the history despite its small 19 square kilometer size.
Jack London State Historic Park
Considered to be the first American “celebrity writer”, Jack London’s home estate is now a historic park on the edges of Sonoma Mountain. Just a 15-mile drive from Rohnert Park, this beautiful homestead and surrounding 47 and a half acres of incorporated landscape are among the most beautiful walking trails in the county. Here you can see the ruins of Jack London’s Wolf House, a 26-room mansion that London built himself but never had a chance to live in because it burnt down months before his settling there. London and his family lived instead in a cottage and subsequently in another property on the idyllic ranch, both of which can still be viewed today.
Wine Tasting in Sonoma County
Due to the area’s fertile land, Sonoma County is home to some of the best wine in America and luxurious hotels in California. With many wineries and vineyard tours now reopening after COVID closures, it’s a better time than any to sample what this fertile land has to offer.
Charles M Schulz Museum
No visit to Rohnert Park is complete without a visit to the nearby Charles M Schulz Museum. Dedicated to the Peanuts cartoonist, the Charles M Schulz Museum explores the life and work of this iconic artist.
Children’s Museum of Sonoma County
A must for visiting families with young children, the Children’s Museum is located in Santa Rosa and is dedicated to early development and learning. With its hands-on, tactile exhibits, the experiential nature of the Children’s Museum’s galleries makes for a whole heap of fun, whatever your age might be.
7 Sep, 2021
