Major city · United States
WindsorWindsor, California
Base here 1–2 nights only if you have a car and want a quiet, flat Wine Country town; otherwise sleep in Healdsburg or Santa Rosa and stop for lunch.
Windsor is a small Sonoma County town of about 27,000 people, 9 miles north of Santa Rosa and 63 miles north of San Francisco, sitting right on US-101. It is not a Wine Country headline act: the draw is a compact, walkable Town Green with independent shops and restaurants, a free summer concert series, and easy access to wineries and regional parks. Come for one night as a cheaper, quieter base between Santa Rosa and Healdsburg, or as a lunch and leg-stretch stop on the drive north.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (inland heat), Dec–Feb (rain)
- Airports
- STS · SFO · OAK
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Windsor911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Windsor, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyWindsor is a low-crime small town; the real risks are heat, wildfire smoke, and driving US-101 after wine tasting.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 211 Sonoma County emergency information
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSTS Charles M.
- Getting aroundWindsor is almost flat and nearly every street has a sidewalk, so walking covers the centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4–6
- Sit-down mealDinner main, mid-range restaurant$22–38
- Street or quick mealBreakfast burrito$10–15
- BeerDraft beer at a taproom$7–9
- Budget bedFamily room or suite (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$180
- Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$190
- High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$380
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$160 · High US$300
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- STS Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (About 5 miles south; SMART train and Sonoma County Transit route 62 link it to Windsor.) · SFO San Francisco International (About 70 miles south; Sonoma County Airport Express bus runs to the Sonoma County Airport, then train or bus.) · OAK Oakland International (About 70 miles southeast; Sonoma County Airport Express bus to the Sonoma County Airport, then train or bus.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Feb
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Mar
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Windsor: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Apr
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
4 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
4 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Dec
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Windsor is almost flat and nearly every street has a sidewalk, so walking covers the centre. Sonoma County Transit route 66 loops within town and has been free (check current status); route 60 runs Santa Rosa–Windsor–Healdsburg–Cloverdale and route 62 links Windsor, the airport and Santa Rosa. SMART trains stop at the downtown Windsor station and connect to Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Petaluma and Marin County. Uber and Lyft both operate. A car is still the practical choice for wineries and parks outside town.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Healdsburg
goDoor to door: About 20 min
SMART train from Windsor station, about 10 min; or US-101 north by car
Bigger plaza, more tasting rooms and better dinner choice; easy half-day or evening.
Santa Rosa
goDoor to door: About 20–30 min
SMART train, about 10 min; Sonoma County Transit route 60/62
Charles M. Schulz Museum and more city services; useful on a rainy day.
Petaluma
goDoor to door: About 40 min
SMART train south, about 30 min
Historic riverfront downtown; pair with a SMART day pass.
Sebastopol
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
Car via River Road, about 20 min
No direct transit; worth it only with a car and a specific stop in mind.
Bodega Bay
goDoor to door: About 50 min
Car via River Road and CA-1, about 40 min
Coast, seafood and fog; go early, the road is slow and parking fills.
Rohnert Park
skipDoor to door: About 30 min
SMART train south, about 20 min
Suburban and car-oriented; no reason to detour unless you have a specific event.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / Town Green
Walk to restaurants, tasting rooms and the Thursday concerts; the only area where you can park once and forget the car.
Old Redwood Highway corridor
Chain and budget motels along the old highway; 5–10 min drive to the Green, cheaper rates.
South Windsor / Bell Road
Near the beverage district and the airport; best if you are flying out early or touring breweries.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $130–200 excl. bed
- High
- $250+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$190 | US$190 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$160 | US$320 |
| SMART train, Windsor–Santa Rosa return2 × US$8 · check | US$16 |
| Wine tasting fees, per winery2 × US$30 · check; many rooms waive it with a bottle purchase | US$60 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$62 |
| Trip total≈ US$339 per person per day, bed included | US$678 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; prices are shown before sales tax. Flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4–6 |
| Breakfast burrito | $10–15 |
| Diner or pub main | $15–25 |
| Dinner main, mid-range restaurant | $22–38 |
| Draft beer at a taproom | $7–9 |
| Wine tasting flightcheck; varies by room | $20–40 |
| Regional park parkingcheck; some parks free | $7 |
| Rideshare, Windsor to Santa Rosa | $20–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- A car is effectively required for wineries, the coast and regional parks; buses are infrequent.
- Summer afternoons inland regularly pass 32°C (90°F); hike or bike in the morning.Summer afternoons inland regularly pass 90°F (32°C); hike or bike in the morning.
- Wildfire smoke can arrive any summer or autumn — check air quality before outdoor plans.
- Some tasting rooms and restaurants close early on weekdays; check hours the same day.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Sonoma County emergency information
- 211
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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WindsorWindsor, California
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Sonoma County information211
Embassy
No embassies in Windsor; consulates-general are in San Francisco (most countries). US visitors: your own consulate is also in San Francisco.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- SMART Windsor → Santa Rosa: about $4 one way, about 10 min (check)
- Sonoma County Transit route 66 in town: free as of 2022 — check current status
- Rideshare Windsor → STS airport: $15–25, about 10 min
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the Town Green? — Where is the Town Green?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- A table for two, please — A table for two, please
- Is there a tasting fee? — Is there a tasting fee?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Windsor. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (inland heat), Dec–Feb (rain) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for STS: SMART and route 62 timings field-checked, plus a late-arrival taxi fallback.
- Four walking clusters with anchors: Town Green, Old Redwood Highway, Bell Road beverage district, Windsor River Road.
- Place pages with verified hours for the museum, regional parks and tasting rooms, and eat pages with last orders.
- Wildfire-smoke and heat fixtures so summer and autumn days can go green or amber.
Sources
- officialTown of Windsor — official site
- officialWindsor Chamber of Commerce — visitors
- officialSonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART)
- officialSonoma County Transit
- officialCharles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport
- officialSonoma County Regional Parks
- secondaryWikivoyage: Windsor (California), revision 5303094 (CC BY-SA 4.0)