Explore The South A Street Art District in Santa Rosa

Check out the creative scene at the colorful block of storefronts on South A Street in downtown Santa Rosa. Officially called the South A Street Art District, but more familiarly known as SOFA, this area is home to nearly 40 working artists’ studios, as well as a number of galleries and businesses.

The wide road and curved doorway awnings shading the sidewalks give a little 1950s vibe to the fun, hip charm of this area.

“It’s a lively, vibrant community, where artists are actually creating, actually making their art,” explains artist Christie Marks. “You can stroll through, peek in, and pretty much the doors are open. … There’s always something going on at SOFA.”

Marks’ studio is one of several in a former auto transmission shop at 312 South A St. Other commercial and industrial buildings have been converted into workspaces for artists. Murals decorate walls in the area, and a paved space is marked by an official street sign naming it “Art Alley.” You’ll also find cafes, bakeries, live theater with The Imaginists, and galleries, including the Santa Rosa Arts Center.

It’s a fun neighborhood to stroll and stop in to relax and refresh at Cafe Frida Gallery, where visual art, music, poetry, film, and dance intersect with good coffee.

The big, boxy building of The Spinster Sisters restaurant is stylish inside, with a redwood bar, a large communal table, and intimate two-tops around the perimeter. But it’s the food that commands attention in mouthwatering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch dishes like ricotta and nettle gnocchi with hedgehog and black trumpet mushrooms, prosciutto, green garlic, pine nuts, and Parmigiano.

Photography enthusiasts can pick up supplies or rent equipment at Jeremiah’s Photo Corner. Look for gifts for others or for yourself at Papillon, where creative floral arrangements will brighten any space. Nail and hair salons also welcome you in this area of downtown Santa Rosa.

Lush lawns and outdoor sculptures in the city’s Juilliard Park edge the vibrant SOFA district. Also nearby, you’ll delight to discover the Luther Burbank Home & Gardens, where the world-renowned horticulturist lived and experimented with plants for most of his 50-year career.

Why not relax and stay the night? If you’re feeling retro, head to the affordable, urban, and extensively redesigned Astro Motel.

Santa Rosa’s historic Railroad Square district offers an authentic old-town ambiance for antique shops, specialty stores, restaurants, lodging, and entertainment.

SOFA hosts a number of art shows and family events. The First Friday Open Studios features music, refreshments, and a chance to browse galleries and meet artists on the first Friday evening of each month.  A catalog-guided tour of SOFA studios is presented each August. SOFA’s Winterblast in November is a wacky evening party featuring a parade of electric sofas.

SOFA’s loose coalition of artists, galleries, and businesses first began moving into this distinctive neighborhood close to 20 years ago.

“As we got to know each other, we started to collaborate on events,” says artist Max Dubois, who has her studio and framing business in the former transmission shop. She’s one of the original group of artists who moved onto South A Street.

And the name SOFA? It’s not an anagram of the official district name, it’s just a creative nickname. New York has MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) and the SoHo district. Santa Rosa and the artists of South A Street have SOFA.

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Written by Sonoma Insider Patricia Lynn Henley