Windsor offers a variety of ways to spend a getaway: public art, a historic museum, parks, and trails in regional parks. From the SMART train, restaurants, shops, and the Town Green in downtown are just a few steps away. The park system also includes both community and neighborhood parks as well as larger natural areas. Depending on your interests, you can focus your time on local history, public art, green spaces, or outdoor recreation.
Downtown and Getting Around
The Town Green serves as a year-round gathering place for community events. It is also home to statues of the Peanuts characters created by Charles M. Schulz. The Windsor Visitors Center is located in the Windsor Train Depot and provides maps for hiking, cycling, and regional parks. Windsor also has bike lanes and accessible bicycle routes. These resources range from maps for trails and regional parks to routes for cyclists.
The Windsor Museum is housed in the historic Hembree House and features exhibits about the people and events that have shaped Windsor’s history. It is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; admission is free. If you plan to visit the museum, check its hours in advance.
Art and Local History
Several public artworks can be distinguished by their locations. “Big Joe,” a painted steel sculpture by Peter Forakis created in 2012, stands at the roundabout at Windsor Road and Old Redwood Highway. “The Offering,” created by Bruce Johnson in 2009 from reclaimed old-growth redwood and copper, is located at the roundabout at Old Redwood Highway and Market Street. “Slice,” Robert Ellison’s fully welded, painted steel sculpture from 1979, stands in Keiser Park.
The Downtown Windsor Photo Gallery is a public art program along the fence surrounding the Windsor SMART Station and the Pathway/Great Redwood Trail. It includes artworks on the platform and along the nearby SMART Pathway/Great Redwood Trail. They celebrate Windsor’s identity, community pride, and creative spirit. The Wisdom Tree Mural Project offers a different cultural connection: the mural on the north side of Huerta Gym depicts the culture and history of the Pomo community.
Parks and Trails
Windsor has 19 community and neighborhood parks with walking paths and picnic areas. Esposti Park is home to a coast live oak estimated to be about 325 years old. This single tree offers a tangible glimpse of the city’s older natural features; its age is an estimate.
East of Windsor is Foothill Regional Park, a 211-acre wilderness park. It has nearly 7 miles of multi-use trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. The Three Lakes Trail is a gravel path with accessible access; there is also a gated parking lot and a picnic area. Shiloh Ranch Regional Park offers nearly 8 miles of trails for hikers, cyclists, and equestrians. The two trail systems are of a similar scale: Foothill has nearly 7 miles of trails, while Shiloh has nearly 8.
Another option for outdoor activity is Windsor Golf Club, a par-72 championship course measuring 6,650 yards. By contrast, the descriptions of the two regional parks refer to trails for different user groups. You can consider the nature trails and golf course as different ways to spend time outdoors.
Drinks and Local Offerings
The Beverage District pairs carefully crafted drinks with the stories behind the choices, ingredients, and creations. Russian River Brewing is also located in Windsor. These places complement the parks and cultural offerings with a focus on drinks and how they are made, without requiring any particular itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Monte Rio, Cazadero, Sebastopol, Sonoma, Cotati, Glen Ellen, Stewarts Point, Bodega Bay
Back to the main travel overview: Sonoma.
