U.S. 101 Business - Santa Rosa

U.S. 101 Business/Santa Rosa Avenue north
Traveling north on U.S. 101 Business/Santa Rosa Avenue after the Todd Road intersection, we enter the city of Santa Rosa, which is the seat of Sonoma County. Incorporated in 1868, Santa Rosa was home to Luther Burbank, a world-renowned horticulturist. Burbank introduced hundreds of plants in the region during his 50-year stay in Santa Rosa, until his death in 1926. Luther Burbank's home and gardens are preserved near downtown Santa Rosa, and are a national historic landmark. Photo taken 05/25/06.
This old route of U.S. 101 is now lined with strip malls, markets, restaurants, and related commercial ventures. Santa Rosa Avenue is now five lanes wide, with a middle left turn only lane. The pavement markings are almost entirely Botts Dots. Photo taken 05/25/06.
Northbound U.S. 101 Business/Santa Rosa Avenue meets Burt Street at this intersection; the next traffic signal is for a shopping center, followed by the intersection with Yolanda Avenue (to U.S. 101). Photo taken 05/25/06.
To U.S. 101 north, turn left at Yolanda Avenue to join the freeway. To U.S. 101 south, continue north on Santa Rosa Avenue to Hearn Avenue, cross over the freeway, and then turn south on Colby Avenue. Photo taken 05/25/06.
Northbound U.S. 101 Business/Santa Rosa Avenue meets Yolanda Avenue at this traffic signal. Photo taken 05/25/06.
The next traffic signal on northbound Santa Rosa Avenue is Hearn Avenue. To U.S. 101 south, turn left at this signal to cross the freeway, turn south on Colby Avenue, and look for the freeway entrance to southbound U.S. 101 (Redwood Highway). Photo taken 05/25/06.
Traffic thickens as U.S. 101 Business/Santa Rosa Avenue approaches Colgan Avenue. Larger shopping centers are located on both sides of the road as the road continues north toward downtown. Photo taken 05/25/06.
Northbound U.S. 101 Business/Santa Rosa Avenue meets Colgan Avenue and Baker Avenue at this intersection. Use Baker Avenue west to connect to U.S. 101 (Redwood Highway) north. To southbound, continue north to the second Baker Avenue west intersection, then turn left. It's a bit confusing. Photo taken 05/25/06.
Shortly thereafter is the next traffic signal, which provides access to Baker Avenue west. Photo taken 05/25/06.
Northbound U.S. 101 Business/Santa Rosa Avenue meets Barham Avenue at this traffic signal. Photo taken 05/25/06.
The elevated California 12/Luther Burbank Freeway comes into view as northbound U.S. 101 Business/Santa Rosa Avenue meets Petaluma Hill Road at this intersection. Use Petaluma Hill Road south to Sonoma State University and Cotati. Photo taken 05/25/06.
A rare white California 12 shield is posted as a trailblazer as northbound U.S. 101 Business/Santa Rosa Avenue approaches Bennett Valley Road, which is the southern frontage road to the California 12 freeway. Photo taken 05/25/06.
Northbound U.S. 101 Business/Santa Rosa Avenue meets Bennett Valley Road at this intersection. Downtown Santa Rosa lies ahead after passing under the California 12 viaduct. Photo taken 05/25/06.
The next traffic signal on northbound is with South A Street and Maple Street. Maple Street is the one-way northern frontage road that parallels California 12. Photo taken 05/25/06.
Passing in front of Luther Burbank's home on the right and Juilliard Park on the left, Santa Rosa Avenue enters downtown Santa Rosa. Luther Burbank, a noted botanist and horticulturist developed many new breeds of plants, including the Russet-Burbank potato which is now used for many potato-based foods (such as chips). Mr. Burbank lived from 1849 to 1926, and he called Santa Rosa home for his later years. The Luther Burbank Home and Gardens is operated by the city of Santa Rosa and is open seasonally. Photo taken 05/25/06.
Sonoma Avenue is the former route of California 12 before the freeway bypass was built south of downtown. At the intersection between Sonoma Avenue and Santa Rosa Avenue is the Santa Rosa City Hall on the northeast corner. Photo taken 05/25/06.
These colorful, wayfinder/trailblazers point the way to the government buildings, downtown, and county museum. Photo taken 05/25/06.
The next intersection along northbound Santa Rosa Avenue is First Street. Sprawling Santa Rosa Plaza, which sits on 11 city blocks, is west of here and can be reached via 1st Street or 3rd Street. (Second Street is transit only and is not open to personal vehicles.) Photo taken 05/25/06.
A landscaped median brings some greenery to downtown Santa Rosa. Use 3rd Street west to pass under Santa Rosa Plaza to Railroad Square. U.S. 101 Business passes through the Courthouse Square District, which features restaurants, shops, and antique stores. Photo taken 05/25/06.
At Fourth Street, northbound Santa Rosa Avenue changes into Mendocino Avenue. U.S. 101 Business continues north on Mendocino Avenue. Photos taken 05/25/06 and 07/06/13.
U.S. 101 Business/Mendocino Avenue north
Northbound U.S. 101 Business/Mendocino Avenue meets Fifth Street at this intersection. The Santa Rosa Press Democrat newspaper offices are located here, along with some restaurants. Photos taken 07/06/13.
Leaving downtown, northbound U.S. 101 Business/Mendocino Avenue meets Seventh Street at this intersection. Photo taken 07/06/13.
Northbound U.S. 101 Business/Mendocino Avenue meets Tenth Street at this signalized intersection. Photo taken 07/06/13.
This non-cut-out U.S. 101 trailblazer (located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Mendocino Avenue and Cherry Street) seems to be unique to Santa Rosa, as we've not seen any similar shields anywhere else. Shields such this one are found throughout downtown Santa Rosa and further north along the old road. The sign was changed between 2006 and 2013. Photos taken 07/06/13 and 05/25/06.
Northbound U.S. 101 Business/Mendocino Avenue meets College Avenue at this traffic signal as part of an odd six-way intersection. While College Avenue travels east-west through here, Lincoln Street travels southwest and Healdsburg Avenue travels due south. Mendocino enters this intersection from the southeast and continues due north. College Avenue is named due to the proximity of Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC), which is located west of Mendocino Avenue between Ridgway Avenue and Elliott Avenue. Photos taken 05/25/06 and 07/06/13.
At this traffic signal, northbound U.S. 101 Business/Mendocino Avenue meets Pacific Avenue. Photo taken 05/25/06.
Shortly thereafter, northbound U.S. 101 Business approaches Elliott Avenue west and Dexter Street east. Photo taken 05/25/06.
Continuing north, U.S. 101 Business/Mendocino Avenue approaches Steele Lane. Santa Rosa was home to Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz from 1958 through 2002. The Peanuts comic strip still runs in newspapers today; a museum dedicated to Mr. Schulz's life work is found at Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center. The museum is located near the Redwood Empire Ice Arena and Snoopy's Gallery and Gift Shop at the intersection of West Steele Lane and Hardies Lane west of U.S. 101. Photo taken 05/25/06.
There are not any reassurance markers for the business route along Mendocino Avenue, but there is this odd trailblazer sign for U.S. 101 north. Photo taken 05/25/06.
Northbound U.S. 101 Business meets Steele Lane and Lewis Road at this traffic signal. Photo taken 05/25/06.
The next traffic signal is for Administration Drive west and Chanate Road east. Photo taken 05/25/06.
Another of those odd trailblazers for U.S. 101 north is posted after Administration Drive/Chanate Road. Photo taken 05/25/06.
At Bicentennial Way, turn left to connect to U.S. 101 south and to the western half of the city. Otherwise, continue north on Mendocino Avenue to the merge back onto U.S. 101 north. Photo taken 05/25/06.
U.S. 101 Business Cleveland Avenue south
Now traveling south, this photo shows southbound Cleveland Avenue approaching Fountaingrove Parkway, including one of the few remaining U.S. 101 Business signs. Turn left on Fountaingrove Parkway to follow U.S. 101 Business south along Mendocino Avenue. Photo taken 05/25/06.
Southbound Cleveland Avenue meets Fountaingrove Parkway east and Industrial Drive west. Photo taken 05/25/06.
U.S. 101 Business Santa Rosa south and Fountaingrove Parkway east
The overpass that connects Industrial Drive and Fountaingrove Parkway was built before Fountaingrove Parkway itself was constructed east of Mendocino Avenue. The next traffic signal is with Mendocino Avenue; turn right to follow the business route south into downtown Santa Rosa. Photo taken 05/25/06.
U.S. 101 Business Mendocino Avenue south
Santa Rosa High School lies on the west side of U.S. 101 Business/Mendocino Avenue between Bear Cub Way and Ridgway Avenue. Photos taken 07/06/13.
Southbound U.S. 101 Business/Mendocino Avenue meets Ridgway Avenue. Photo taken 07/06/13.
Prior to the College Avenue intersection, we find this To U.S. 101 trailblazer sign posted along southbound U.S. 101 Business/Mendocino Avenue just south of Santa Rosa Junior College. This style of sign is unique to Santa Rosa and appears to be getting scarce; they were quite common in the mid-1990s. Photos taken 07/06/13.
Southbound U.S. 101 Business/Mendocino Avenue approaches its intersection with College Avenue. Photo taken 07/06/13.
U.S. 101 Business Santa Rosa Avenue south
The first block of Santa Rosa Avenue is immediately after the intersection with Fourth Street in downtown Santa Rosa, adjacent to Old Courthouse Square. This is the picturesque heart of Santa Rosa. Photos taken 07/06/13.
U.S. 101/Downtown Viaduct in Santa Rosa
This series of pictures looks at the downtown viaduct in Santa Rosa. The U.S. 101 Downtown Viaduct, a six to eight-lane elevated structure, was originally built in 1968 as a four-lane facility. It was widened in 2009 and carries the above the central business district and separates Santa Rosa Plaza from Historic Railroad Square. This view looks southwest at the northbound side of the viaduct. Public art and foliage help to mask the viaduct; parking is located below the freeway. Photos taken 07/06/13.

Return to the U.S. 101 Guide Return to the California Gateway

Page Updated September 22, 2013.

© AARoads