Sonoma County is home to many quaint and picturesque cities – one of which is Santa Rosa, CA. With world-class wineries, fresh farm-to-table cuisine celebrating the region, landmarks like the historic Railroad Square and Luther Burbank Home & Gardens, and parks and outdoor recreation options perfect for hiking and biking, there are countless reasons to love the Santa Rosa area. The average rent in Santa Rosa is $2,645, while the median home sale price is $715,000.
There are many historic, vibrant, and charming neighborhoods that make the city of Santa Rosa what it is today. So many, that you may be struggling to decide just where to buy a home or rent an apartment in Santa Rosa. If you’re trying to land on the best neighborhood to live in, here’s 11 popular Santa Rosa neighborhoods to check out (listed alphabetically).
Bennett Valley is solely a residential neighborhood in Santa Rosa. The Bennett Valley area is a car-dependent neighborhood since the Walk Score is only 13 and the Transit and Bike Scores are 19. The main types of housing options in Bennett Valley are single-family homes.
Median Sale Price: $990,000
Homes for sale in Bennett Valley | Apartments for rent in Bennett Valley
2. Downtown
Downtown Santa Rosa is the heart of the city, home to historic and modern architecture, the historic Courthouse Square where you’ll find festivals throughout the year, the Luther Burbank Home and Gardens, public art installations, and farm-to-table restaurants. You’ll find a mix of old and new in Downtown Santa Rosa. Single-family homes range in style from historic Victorians, to Craftsmans, and bungalows. There are also plenty of condos and apartments in the neighborhood.
Median Sale Price: $479,500
Average Rent for 1-Bedroom Apartment: $1,650| Average Rent for 2-Bedroom Apartment: $2,495
3. Fountaingrove
If you’re living in Santa Rosa you may know that Fountaingrove has a unique history. It was a former utopian colony established in 1875 in the Santa Rosa hills. In the present day it’s primarily a residential area, but you can find a few wineries and parks like Nagasawa Park. You may be able to find a few homes for rent in Fountaingrove, but the majority of options are single-family homes.
Median Sale Price: $1,232,500
Average Rent for 2-Bedroom Apartment: $3,079
Homes for sale in Fountaingrove | Apartments for rent in Fountaingrove
4. Historic Railroad Square
Part of Old Town Santa Rosa, the Historic Railroad Square is home to many historic 1900s railroad buildings. Many of the shops and restaurants are located in these brick buildings and you’ll find a few cozy parks in the area.
5. Junior College Neighborhood
Junior College Neighborhood is located just east of Santa Rosa Junior College and is a large neighborhood with a mix of residential and commercial areas. There are several small parks in the area as well as some local restaurants. Junior College is a really walkable area with a Walk Score of 82 and is also good for bikers with a Bike Score of 72. You’ll find a lot of single-family homes, particularly in the ranch, bungalow, and mid-century modern style. There are also some options for apartments.
Median Sale Price: $821,250
Average Rent for 1-Bedroom Apartment: $1,395 | Average Rent for 2-Bedroom Apartment: $2,150
Homes for sale in Junior College Neighborhood | Apartments for rent in Junior College Neighborhood
6. Monroe
Monroe is a large residential neighborhood with a variety of shopping centers and parks located throughout the area. There’s plenty to do whether you’re spending the afternoon at Finley Community Park or grabbing a bite at a local restaurant. The majority of housing options are single-family homes, but you can find some apartments in Monroe.
7. Northwest Santa Rosa
Northwest Santa Rosa is primarily a residential neighborhood, but you can find a few parks in the area. And you’ll likely need a car in Northwest Santa Rosa. There are lots of single-family homes in the area, mainly ranch-style houses. You can also find apartments in the neighborhood.
Median Sale Price: $665,000.
Average Rent for 1-Bedroom Apartment: $1,500
Homes for sale in Northwest Santa Rosa | Apartments for rent in Northwest Santa Rosa
8. Oakmont Village
Oakmont Village is a small neighborhood in the foothills of Hood Mountain. It’s mainly residential, but there are several wineries nearby. For daily errands you’ll most likely need a car to get around in Oakmont Village.
Median Sale Price: $705,000
Homes for sale in Oakmont Village | Apartments for rent in Oakmont Village
9. Proctor Terrace
The Proctor Terrace neighborhood is a residential area with only a couple restaurants.
Median Sale Price: $885,500
10. Southwest Santa Rosa
Southwest Santa Rosa is a large neighborhood encompassing a few sub-neighborhoods. You’ll find lots of parks like Southwest Community Park, local restaurants concentrated along Sebastopol Road, as well as several shopping plazas. You’ll find lots of apartments and single-family homes in the Southwest Santa Rosa neighborhood.
Median Sale Price: $588,795
Average Rent for 1-Bedroom Apartment: $1,650 | Average Rent for 2-Bedroom Apartment: $2,800
Homes for rent in Southwest Santa Rosa | Apartments for rent in Southwest Santa Rosa
11. Wright Area Action Group
The Wright Area Action Group is primarily a residential neighborhood, although there are a few parks and one major shopping center on the northeast corner. You can also find some great local restaurants along Sebastopol Road. The Wright Area Action Group is another Santa Rosa area where you’ll likely need a car to get around. There are a variety of single-family homes in the area and you may be able to find some apartments in Wright Area Action Group.
Median Sale Price: $591,500
Homes for sale in Wright Area Action Group | Apartments for rent in Wright Area Action Group
Methodology: All neighborhoods must be listed as a “neighborhood” on Redfin.com. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during February 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com during February 2023. Walk Score, Bike Score, and Transit Score from Walkscore.com during February 2023.
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