Santa Rosa: Pupuseria Salvadorena; restaurant review

101 North

Pupuseria Salvadorena  

1403 Maple Ave./Brookwood Ave., (707) 544-3141.  B-L-D daily; $.

pupusa at Pupuseria Salvadorena in Santa Rosa, California

Located in an out-of-the-way strip mall in a residential area, the modest Pupuseria Salvadorena is outfitted with plenty of booths and tables.  Since it is a small staff, service ebbs and flows with the arrival of diners.  Most people are here for the exceptional pupusas, but other Salvadorian items are also on the relatively large menu.  It is table service, but a line forms at the counter to pick up take-out and to pay tabs.  Pupusas consist of thick handmade corn flatbreads that are stuffed with choices that include cheese, beans, pork, squash, and spinach.  My favorites are the cheese-beans-pork and the cheese-spinach.  Each costs about $3.  I ordered two plus a side of crema and that was just right for an average appetite.  Curtido (a sort of spicy coleslaw) and two sauces come with each order.  Full meals and an assortment of specials are also available.

interior of Pupuseria Salvadorena in Santa Rosa, California

 

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images ©2019 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Santa Rosa: Snoopy's Home Ice/ Redwood Empire Ice Arena; things to do

101 North

Snoopy's Home Ice/Redwood Empire Ice Arena  

1667 W. Steele Ln., (707) 546-7147. 

Opened in 1969 by the late cartoonist Charles Schulz, the Redwood Empire Ice Arena features an Alpine decor and has been called "the most beautiful ice arena in the world."  And indeed it is lovely, and it is also one of the “coolest” places in town.  It is nicknamed Snoopy's Home Ice.  The Zamboni resurfacing machine--made familiar to many through Schulz’s “Peanuts” cartoon strip—is painted with a “Peanuts” winter skating theme.

exterior of Snoopy's Home Ice/ Redwood Empire Ice Arena
in Santa Rosa, California

interior of Snoopy's Home Ice/ Redwood Empire Ice Arena
in Santa Rosa, California

Warm Puppy Cafe 

The Warm Puppy Cafe sports a few stained-glass windows depicting Snoopy and is where Schulz once ate every day (an English muffin with grape jelly for breakfast, a tuna salad sandwich for lunch).  It also features big windows looking out to the rink and free Wi-Fi.

interior of the Warm Puppy Cafe at Snoopy's Home Ice/Redwood Empire Ice Arena in Santa Rosa, California

Snoopy's Gallery and Gift Shop 

Located adjacent, Snoopy's Gallery and Gift Shop purveys the largest selection of “Peanuts” merchandise in the world.  Cuddly stuffed Snoopys are available in many sizes.

stuffed characters at Snoopy's Gallery and Gift Shop in Santa Rosa, California

Charles M. Schulz Museum 

And across the street, the spacious Charles M. Schulz Museum is dedicated to exhibiting thousands of original Schulz sketches.  A highlight is an 8- by 12-foot wall extracted from the cartoonist’s Colorado home, which he himself decorated in 1951.  Take time to relax and watch some animated cartoons or documentaries.

Peanuts characters crossing the street outside
Snoopy's Home Ice/Redwood Empire Ice Arena in Santa Rosa, California

The whole complex is served by a free parking lot providing shade from solar collection roofs.



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images ©2019 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Santa Rosa: Eating and Drinking on Courthouse Square; restaurant review

101 North

●Beer Baron Bar & Kitchen  

614 Fourth St., (707) 757-9294.    

bar at Beer Baron Bar & Kitchen on Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa, California

A highlight of walking into this cozy spot for refreshment is viewing a golden wall of bourbons.  It’s a wowzer!  Seems like a no brainer what drink you might want to try.  But, as you might expect from the name, the Beer Baron Bar & Kitchen also has plenty of beers (24 on tap) and wines.  And let’s not forget the cocktails.  Two that are worth swallowing are the easy and colorful Monarch Warrior--made with ruby red port and Monarch citrus bay leaf bitter--and the Northern Song--made with Ming River Baijiu, green chili, soy sauce, and more and served in an irresistible kitty-shaped mug.  Popular small plates include smoked olive-oil guacamole, Belgian-style duck-fat fries, and delicious deep-fried pulled-pork nuggets. 

Monarch Warrior cocktail and chips at Beer Baron Bar & Kitchen
on Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa, California

pulled-pork nuggets at Beer Baron Bar & Kitchen on Courthouse Square
in Santa Rosa, California

●Belly Left Coast  

523 Fourth St., (707) 526-5787.  L-D daily.  

interior at Belly Left Coast on Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa, California

You’ll find no cocktails at Belly Left Coast, but the huge beer list includes 35 by the bottle and 32 on tap.  Choosing a flight of four 5-ounce tasters seems the way to go, but you are also welcome to two complimentary mini tastes.  I enjoyed sampling the Humboldt Cider Honey Cider and the Lagunitas Brown Shugga’ ale, settling on the ale.  Taco Tuesday--when most tacos are $1 each--is a particularly good time to visit.  The menu also offers tasty bacon-wrapped dates, pulled-pork sliders, a delectable grilled artichoke, and excellent pizzas (the mushroom-arugula is a personal favorite).  This spot is justly known for its delicious desserts, including a beer-infused Campfire Stout chocolate mousse topped with spun sugar.  The chef’s credentials are impressive.  According to the website:  “What do Motley Crue, KISS, Black Eyed Peas, Katy Perry, Blink 182, Godsmack, Tori Amos, and Linkin Park all have in common? They had Chef Gray Rollin, Owner of BELLY, as a personal chef in over 66 countries for 10 years.”  And the rest of his bio is pretty interesting, too. 

owner Gray Rollin at Belly Left Coast on Courthouse Square
in Santa Rosa, California

roasted artichoke at Belly Left Coast on Courthouse Square
in Santa Rosa, California

mushroom-arugula pizza at Belly Left Coast on Courthouse Square
in Santa Rosa, California

Campfire Stout chocolate mousse at Belly Left Coast on Courthouse Square
in Santa Rosa, California

●Perch+Plow  

90 Old Courthouse Square, (707) 541-6896.  L-D daily.  

Situated upstairs on the second level, lively Perch+Plow has a spectacular decor featuring colorfully painted walls with big graphics, a variety of seating and spaces, and a large bar.  Appetizers and cocktails are the way to go, but larger plates and beer and wine are also on the menu.  Two photo-worthy drinks are the Purple Rain, which is colored with butterfly pea tea, and the Smoking Gun, which involves bourbon, brown sugar, and cherry-wood smoke.  Several mocktails are also options--I enjoyed the tall and lovely Pink Lady made with hibiscus, strawberry puree, and soda.  Among the spectacularly tasty food items are baked brie with honey and sourdough toast,  pan-roasted brussels sprouts tossed with walnut gremolata and whiskey maple bacon jam, and buttermilk fritto misto with calamari in a sweet chili sauce.   

interior of Perch+Plow on Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa, California

interior of Perch+Plow on Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa, California

menu + Pink Lady mocktail Perch+Plow on Courthouse Square
in Santa Rosa, California

fritto misto at Perch+Plow on Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa, California

Purple Rain cocktail at Perch+Plow on Courthouse Square
in Santa Rosa, California

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images ©2019 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Santa Rosa: Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa; hotel review + restaurant review

101 North

Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa  

2777 Fourth St./Hwy. 12, (800) 848-8300, (707) 545-8530.  170 rooms, 2 stories; $$-$$$.  Heated pool; hot tub.  5 tennis courts.  Health club with fitness room; full-service spa ($15 day use fee).  Restaurant; room service.  Pets ok. 

When the spacious, unpretentious Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa was originally built in the 1950s, it was way out in the country.  Now, due to urban sprawl, it is right in town.  Originally designed to mirror the namesake resort in Las Vegas, it attracted Hollywood stars--most famously Jayne Mansfield, whose photographs by the pool and in front of the roof-top name tower hang in the lobby.  The resort was declared an historic city landmark in 1996.  Five lodging buildings surround a central courtyard like a wagon wheel.  The lobby is a sixth spoke and holds meeting rooms, a restaurant, and the Flamingo Room lounge featuring live music and dancing on weekends. 

It gives guests all the comforts of a full-service resort but also provides the convenience of a motel--parking near the room; not having to walk through a lobby--and the amenities of a hotel--a piano bar with live entertainment and dancing; a full-service restaurant with poolside dining.  This hotel is an especially fun place for family and kids.  I enjoyed a summer stay here, when the lovely weather filled the pool with happy frolickers.  In addition to racquetball and basketball courts, the hotel’s adjacent Montecito Heights Health Club and Spa features a full-service spa, classes, and childcare.  The club is open to the general public as well.

roof-top name tower at Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa
in Santa Rosa, California

outdoor pool at Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa in Santa Rosa, California

guest room at Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa in Santa Rosa, California

Snoopy statue at Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa in Santa Rosa, California

childcare center at Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa in Santa Rosa, California

Terrace Grill 

The Terrace Grill serves a continental buffet breakfast as well as a full menu and also has a popular Sunday buffet brunch, when among the options you will find what is probably the best rendition of Black Forest cake this side of Germany.

Sunday brunch dessert spread at Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa
in Santa Rosa, California

 

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images ©2019 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Santa Rosa: Pacific Coast Air Museum; things to do

101 North

Pacific Coast Air Museum  

One Air Museum Way, N. Laughlin Rd./Becker Blvd., at Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport, 5 mi. N of town, west of Hwy. 101, (707) 575-7900.  W-Sun 10-4.  $10, 65+ $7, 6-17 $5; flight simulator $10/20 min.  No pets.

overview of planes at Pacific Coast Air Museum in Santa Rosa, California

Situated on a former World War II air base, the Pacific Coast Air Museum opened in 1989.  Its mission is to educate, inspire, preserve, and honor.  A small room inside the visitor center is filled with aviation exhibits, including a diorama depicting the Santa Rosa Army Airfield during World War II and another documenting the filming here of the film “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.”

docents C.J.and Andy Werback point to display re. "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" at Pacific Coast Air Museum in Santa Rosa, California

A unique 3-D Virtual Reality Flight Simulator developed here by a volunteer makes use of virtual reality goggles that allow participants to experience flying many different types of airplanes.

developer of 3-D Virtual Reality Flight Simulatorr C.J. with his project
at Pacific Coast Air Museum in Santa Rosa, California

More than 30 full-size airplanes are parked outside on an open field--when it isn't their turn to hang out in the giant Butler hangar.  The planes are moved regularly.  Each with a history, and most are on loan from various branches of the military.  They include:

●F-15 Eagle  The first plane to arrive in New York airspace after 9/11, when it flew in from Massachusetts.  It is on loan from the Air Force.

F-15 Eagle at Pacific Coast Air Museum in Santa Rosa, California

●Crusader  This super-sonic Navy jet was once in a kids’ play area in Larsen Park on 19th Avenue near the Stonestown shopping center in San Francisco.  It was brought here to the museum and restored.

Crusader at Pacific Coast Air Museum in Santa Rosa, California

●Jet Star  A private transport plane like this was seen in the James Bond movie “Goldfinger,” and Elvis owned one.

Jet Star at Pacific Coast Air Museum in Santa Rosa, California

●Albatross HU16  Sometimes this plane is open for visitors to go inside.

Albatross HU16 at Pacific Coast Air Museum in Santa Rosa, California

●D-21 Drone  This high altitude, high speed, unmanned reconnaissance plane is fairly rare.

D-21 Drone at Pacific Coast Air Museum in Santa Rosa, California

●”Lucy” helicopter  She flew in Vietnam.

"Lucy" helicopter at Pacific Coast Air Museum in Santa Rosa, California

●A-26  This is the only bomber to survive three wars--two in Korea, one in Vietnam.  Marked on its sides is the number of bombing missions it flew, as well as the number of stops it made in Italy for wine.  It is a favorite plane because it could fly at 300+ mph, and also because it flew faster than the fighters and didn’t need escorts.  This kind of plane is what is seen in movies.

Andy Werback describes A-26 at Pacific Coast Air Museum
in Santa Rosa, California

Do arrange ahead for a free docent tour with one of the museum's enthusiastic volunteers.  On scheduled Open Cockpit weekends, visitors can climb aboard and get a closer look, and on the first Thursday of each month April through October you can participate in the Hot Dog Thursday lunch fundraiser.  During the holidays, an annual Santa Fly-In provides special family fun.  All this and there are 350 wineries within 10 miles!  

Andy Werback and W. David Ford point to Butler hangar
at Pacific Coast Air Museum in Santa Rosa, California

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images ©2018 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

updated 11-30-22

Santa Rosa: See the new baby giraffe at Safari West; things to do

101 North

Check out the new baby giraffe at Safari West

See my detailed article about Safari West, Going on Safari.  

More ideas for exploring Northern California.