Sonoma County
California's first master-planned city
Rohnert Park was laid out in the 1960s as one of California's first master-planned cities, and you can feel it: wide streets, parks and greenbelts in every neighborhood, and a family-first layout built around schools and recreation. It sits between Santa Rosa and Cotati on the 101, and it is one of the most affordable, family-friendly markets in the Santa Rosa corridor, with Sonoma State University anchoring the north end of town.
Why people love it
The city's original plan wove greenbelts, trails, and neighborhood parks throughout the community, and it shows. Twin Creeks, Sunrise, Dorotea, Roberts Lake, and dozens of pocket parks put outdoor space minutes from almost every front door.
Sonoma State University brings students, faculty, events, and a working arts calendar to town. The campus's green, the Green Music Center, and university events give Rohnert Park a liveliness most towns its size lack.
Homes in Rohnert Park typically cost meaningfully less than comparable properties in Santa Rosa's more established neighborhoods, which makes it a strong first-time and move-up market with a fast commute to either Santa Rosa or Petaluma.
Crane Creek Regional Park sits on the town's east edge, Foxtail Golf Club is minutes away, and the SMART train stops in town, linking Rohnert Park to San Rafael and the ferry corridor.
Local favorites
My favorite way to test a neighborhood is still over coffee and dinner. These are real places in and around Rohnert Park that my clients and I keep going back to.
A family-run restaurant on Southwest Boulevard famous for its burgers, homemade onion rings, and huge ice cream sundaes.
199 Southwest Blvd, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
A casual Mexican grill on Southwest Boulevard with generous plates and a steady local crowd.
217 Southwest Blvd, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Fresh rice bowls and burritos near the university, a quick and healthy lunch favorite.
295 Southwest Blvd, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
A long-running Chinese restaurant on Hunter Drive with a loyal local following.
6555 Hunter Dr, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Parks & outdoor spaces
Rohnert Park was literally built around parks: greenbelts and neighborhood greens thread through every part of town, with Crane Creek's 128 acres of oak grassland on the east edge and miles of hike-and-bike trail connections.
A 128-acre Sonoma County regional park on the east edge of town: rolling oak grassland, about 3.5 miles of trails, and an 18-hole disc golf course.
5000 Pressley Rd, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
A six-acre community park with two soccer fields, basketball courts, play equipment, and the neighborhood greenbelts around it.
5330 Kerry Rd, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
A nine-acre park on the south side with softball and all-weather soccer fields plus pickleball courts.
5201 Snyder Ln, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
A neighborhood park built around Roberts Lake, a quiet spot for walks and water views.
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
A neighborhood park with play areas and lawns on the west side of town.
895 Santa Dorotea, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Schools
Rohnert Park schools are part of the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District, and Sonoma State University sits right in town for the college years. Boundary assignments depend on your address, so I always confirm the exact school for the home you are considering.
One of CRPUSD's elementary campuses in the heart of Rohnert Park.
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
A CRPUSD elementary school on the north side of town near the university.
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
A CRPUSD middle school serving grades 6-8.
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
The district's comprehensive high school, home of the Cougars.
5450 Snyder Ln, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
A CRPUSD high school with a project-based technology focus.
550 Bonnie Ave, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
The California State University campus right in town, with the Green Music Center and a lively campus calendar.
1801 E Cotati Ave, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Restaurants & dining
Rohnert Park's dining is spread along the Southwest Boulevard corridor, around the university, and at the big-box retail centers. The locals' picks:
A classic American diner experience: burgers, onion rings, and enormous sundaes beloved for generations.
199 Southwest Blvd, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
A family diner chain outpost on the Commerce Boulevard corridor, dependable for big breakfasts and comfort plates.
6255 Commerce Blvd, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Casual Latin grill food with a local following on Southwest Boulevard.
217 Southwest Blvd, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
A long-running neighborhood Chinese restaurant on Hunter Drive.
6555 Hunter Dr, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Build-your-own rice bowls and burritos with fresh ingredients, quick and affordable.
295 Southwest Blvd, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Shopping & amenities
Everyday shopping is excellent for a town this size: Safeway, Raley's, Grocery Outlet, Walmart, and Foodmaxx are all inside the city limits, plus the big box stores on Redwood Drive and across the border in Cotati.
A full-service grocery on Commerce Boulevard, part of the main retail corridor.
6340 Commerce Blvd, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
A full-service Raley's anchored in the Town Center shopping complex.
Raley's Town Center, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
A full-size Walmart Supercenter on Redwood Drive, the town's one-stop shopping anchor.
4625 Redwood Dr, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Discount grocery with rotating deals on Commerce Boulevard.
6335 Commerce Blvd, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
A family-run market on Southwest Boulevard carrying Latin groceries and everyday essentials.
93 Southwest Blvd, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Community & events
Rohnert Park's community calendar centers on the Community Center off Snyder Lane, with a big Fourth of July jubilee and a summer concert-and-market series the whole town turns out for:
A free family Fourth of July celebration at the Rohnert Park Community Center with music, food, kids' activities, and fireworks.
5401 Snyder Ln, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
A free Friday-evening summer series at the Community Center: live music, food vendors, and a farmers market on the plaza.
5401 Snyder Ln, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Seasonal festivals, holiday gatherings, and classes all live on the city's events calendar.
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Home types
Typical range across my markets: $400,000-$4,000,000. From condos to country acreage.
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I have lived this area my whole life and sold homes here for 21 years. Let's find yours.
