If you’re headed up to the Country Summer Music Festival in Santa Rosa you may not have too much extra time to check out the California town, but you should think about going a little early or staying a little late to really get to enjoy the area. This is wine country after all.
From one of the country’s best breweries, to the somewhere to enjoy the great outdoors, here’s what you shouldn’t miss during your trip to Santa Rosa.
Things don’t get underway over at the fairgrounds until 1 p.m., which means you’ll have plenty of time for a leisurely breakfast before spending the rest of the day in the summer heat. Mac’s has been a Santa Rosa institution for more than six decades. And they serve items from their encyclopedic list of omelets until 3:30 in the afternoon
Drink a Bit at the Wineries
You may not have time to explore all the excellent wineries Sonoma has to offer, but there are standouts right near the fairgrounds where you’ll be for Country Summer. Swing by Benziger Vineyards just south of the venue, which won the Sonoma People’s Choice award for tasting room of the year in 2018.
You’ll have access to beer at the festival for sure, but one of the most legendary breweries in America sits smack in the middle of downtown Santa Rosa. Russian River Brewing, the folks behind cult favorite Pliny the Elder
Hit the Cheese Trail
California produces more cheese than 48 other states (shout out to Wisconsin) and too show it off the Golden State created a cheese trail. Several stops along that trail are in the Santa Rosa area—Matos Cheese Factory, Wm. Cofield Cheesemakers and Bohemian Creamery.
Take a Hike
If you have the wherewithal to get up early there is no shortage of hiking trails that run all over the Santa Rosa area. There are some massive parks a bit further from town, but about a mile from the fairgrounds you’ll find Taylor Mountain Park with over 1,000 feet of climbing and gorgeous views of the valley vistas.
Wind Down at a Spa
This is especially good if you’re sticking around for an extra day after the festival is over. Give your weary body a break after standing out in the sun for three straight days at the Osmosis Day Spa, best known for its rejuvenating cedar baths.
RADIO.COM’s Country Summer Music Festival coverage is brought to you by The Air National Guard.