Windsor, California
Windsor is an incorporated town in Sonoma County, California, located 9 miles north of Santa Rosa and 63 miles north of San Francisco in the heart of Wine Country. Known for its family-friendly atmosphere, walkable downtown, and exceptional quality of life, Windsor offers a unique blend of small-town charm and modern amenities. The town is situated along U.S. Highway 101 in the Russian River Valley, just 2 miles from the Russian River, with neighboring communities including Healdsburg, Santa Rosa, and Forestville.
History of Windsor
The land now occupied by Windsor was originally inhabited by the Southern Pomo people, who called the area Tsoliikawai, meaning "blackbird field." This group was part of the Kaitactemi tribe that occupied territory from the Healdsburg area down to Mark West Creek.
Windsor's first European settlers arrived in 1851. In 1855, a post office was established and Hiram Lewis, a Pony Express rider, became the town's first postmaster. Lewis named the town Windsor because the landscape reminded him of the grounds around Windsor Castle in his home country of England. The town incorporated and developed a walkable village incorporating New Urbanist design principles. The Town Green, a large community park, opened in 2001, and by 2006, over 130 condominiums and 50 businesses had moved into the downtown development.
Local Government
The Town of Windsor is a general law city governed by a five-member Town Council, including an elected mayor and vice mayor. Council members serve four-year staggered terms, with elections occurring every two years. Beginning with the November 2020 election, council members are elected by district rather than city-wide, except for the mayor who is elected at-large.
Town Hall Contact Information
Address: 9291 Old Redwood Highway, Windsor, CA 95492
Phone: (707) 838-1000
Fax: (707) 838-7349
Website: www.townofwindsor.ca.gov
Town Manager: Jon Davis
Parks & Recreation
The Town of Windsor is home to 19 community and neighborhood parks, offering everything from playgrounds and sports fields to walking trails and picnic areas. Park hours are sunrise to sunset. The Parks & Recreation Department can be reached at (707) 838-1260.
Foothill Regional Park
Located in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains in east Windsor, Foothill Regional Park is a 211-acre wilderness park featuring dramatic oak woodlands, grassy hillsides, and scenic views of central Sonoma County. The park offers nearly 7 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails ranging from the challenging Alta Vista Trail to the wheelchair-accessible Three Lakes Trail. Three ponds provide bass and bluegill fishing opportunities, and spring brings colorful wildflowers throughout the park.
Address: 1351 Arata Lane, Windsor, CA 95492
Hours: 7 AM to sunset daily
Phone: (707) 565-2041
Schools
Windsor Unified School District serves approximately 4,565 students from preschool through 12th grade. The district is comprised of two elementary schools, one middle school, one comprehensive high school, one Big Picture Learning high school, one Spanish-immersion charter school, and one virtual school.
Windsor Unified School District
Address: 9291 Old Redwood Highway, Building 500, Windsor, CA 95492
Phone: (707) 837-7700
Website: www.wusd.org
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Mattie Washburn Elementary School
Grades: Preschool - 2nd | 75 Pleasant Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 | (707) 837-7727 -
Brooks Elementary School
Grades: 3-5 | 750 Natalie Drive, Windsor, CA 95492 | (707) 837-7717 -
Windsor Middle School
Grades: 6-8 | 9500 Brooks Road South, Windsor, CA 95492 | (707) 837-7737 -
Windsor High School
Grades: 9-12 | 8695 Windsor Road, Windsor, CA 95492 | (707) 837-7767 -
Cali Calmécac Language Academy
Grades: K-8 (Charter, Dual-Language Immersion) | 9491 Starr Road, Windsor, CA 95492 | (707) 837-7747 -
Big Picture Learning Windsor
Grades: 9-12 | 8681 Windsor Road, Windsor, CA 95492 | (707) 837-7771 -
Sonoma County Virtual Academy
Grades: 6-12 (Virtual) | (707) 657-5585
Transportation
SMART Train
The Windsor SMART (Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit) station opened for passenger service on May 31, 2025. Located just steps from the Windsor Town Green, the station provides convenient access to downtown's shops, restaurants, and events. The station connects Windsor to cities across Sonoma and Marin counties, from Larkspur to the south with future extensions planned to Healdsburg and Cloverdale.
Station Address: 8900 Windsor Road, Windsor, CA 95492
Parking: Free day-use parking available
Bus Service
Sonoma County Transit provides local and regional bus service connecting Windsor to surrounding communities.
Route 60: Connects to Healdsburg, Cloverdale, and Santa Rosa
Route 62: Connects to Sonoma County Airport and Santa Rosa
Route 66: Local service within Windsor
Local Attractions & Businesses
Windsor Town Green
The heart of downtown Windsor, the Town Green is a pedestrian-friendly hub that hosts more than 30 free annual events including summer movies, concerts, farmers markets, art fairs, and the annual PRIDE festival. Surrounded by shops, restaurants, wine tasting rooms, and cafes, the Town Green exemplifies Windsor's community spirit and New Urbanist design principles.
Address: 701 McClelland Drive, Windsor, CA 95492
Russian River Brewing Company
One of Sonoma County's most famous breweries, Russian River Brewing Company operates an 85,000 square-foot facility in Windsor featuring a 195-seat brewpub, year-round outdoor patio, pet-friendly one-acre beer garden, tasting room, and gift shop. Known worldwide for their Pliny the Elder and the highly sought-after Pliny the Younger triple IPA, the brewery offers free self-guided tours daily.
Address: 700 Mitchell Lane, Windsor, CA 95492
Phone: (707) 545-2337
The Beverage District
Windsor is at the heart of Sonoma County's wine and craft beverage scene, with more than 50 wineries within 5 miles and over a dozen craft breweries, cideries, and distilleries. The downtown area features numerous tasting rooms where visitors can sample local wines, craft beers, and artisan spirits in a relaxed, approachable atmosphere.
Community Events
Windsor hosts numerous community events throughout the year, bringing residents and visitors together to celebrate the town's vibrant culture. Since 2001, the Town of Windsor and local sponsors have organized a weekly free concert series on the Town Green during summer months. Other popular events include the annual Earth Day and Wellness Festival, Windsor Days Parade, Cinco de Mayo Festival, Community Art and Flower Show, and the beloved Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Grove each December.
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Get a Free ConsultationWhy Windsor?
Windsor consistently ranks among California's safest cities and offers an exceptional quality of life for families, professionals, and retirees alike. The town's carefully planned development, strong sense of community, and access to world-class wine country amenities make it an ideal place to live, work, and visit. With excellent schools, abundant parks, convenient transportation options, and a thriving downtown, Windsor represents the best of Sonoma County living.