We divide Santa Rosa into 4 parts as per our MLS; Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, Southwest. Schools which are in demand seem to be clustered in the NE/SE areas. In the NE area you have the older areas starting with the Historic "Downtown" area which is in a historical preserve, Burbank Gardens aptly named as the neighborhood is anchored by the home of famed Horticulturalist Luther Burbank. These homes are fairly modest and built 1920's 1960. Heading back north you've the JC area. This is named for the Junior College which is along Mendocino Avenue. My brother who attended the JC back in the 50's had a map of the JC and an arrow pointing saying, "To Santa Rosa"!! These homes have historical significance some dating to the late 1800's and is a fairly large area running from College Avenue to the south, boarded by 101 to the West and Steele Lane to the North with "North Street" the eastern line. Beyond this and marching up the towards Montecito Heights is the Town and Country Area, McDonald Neighborhood with the stunning and lovely grand dame of homes McDonald Mansion (They filled Pollyanna there!), then you go through the Grace Tract up to Montecito Heights and prices march UP accordingly. Price point for JC area $300-800,000, McDonald $600-$3,000,000, Montecito Heights about the same but different type of terrain and home. Very similar to the Oakland Hills.
A community unto itself is Fountaingrove with its many sub communities. Skyfarm, very expensive and running over to Rielbi Road/Markwest Road. The Fountaingrove Golf and Country Club is now private but is very affordable. You've got many different price points in F/G and the new F/G III is an eyesore to the overall Santa Rosa area but fetches prices in the upper tier. Rincon Valley is over the hill from F/G and is comprised of mid-century development up to the late 70's and newer infill project. SkyHawk which took over 25 years to get built is in the affordable to upper tier price points.
If you are over 55 then Oakmont is just beyond Skyhawk and is one of Northern California's premier retirement areas built in the 70's with two golf courses, public, and with homes ranging in size from smallish "triplex" units of 1100sqft to mini mansions in the later stages of development. Also, behind Oakmont abutting Anadale State park is Wild Oak which has some utterly unique homes of great style and price! Also, Polo field for those into the ponies!
The Southeast area has Montgomery Village which was built in the WWII post war boom. Cute, but tiny 2bed/1 bath homes on 6,000sqft lots. Very desirable. Mayette Village is cute but funky, and then you get into Bennett Valley with some older residences in the 60/70's but with strong construction bones. You then have the "Heights" areas starting just off Summerfield road and then moving south along the hills. Anadale 1,2,3 then Bennett Valley heights finishing with Golf View by Bennett Valley golf course. Prices from $500-$4,000,000 for ridgeline which backs to Anadale state park. You then have the old "Holland Heights" area which was built 1950's to present. Older septic tanks, mutual water, super views and wooded settings. Newer homes now sit at the base of Holland Heights to the West and represent the last vestiges of our "Boom" market!! Great to watch the fireworks from and listen to the Monster Truck pulls!!!
The Southwest area is the epicenter of the boom collapse. This is an area inundated with foreclosures as man first time homebuyers attempted to realize the American Dream but fell short with too ambitious lending practices and lack of resources. Be careful buying here! I'll add to this later on!

Sun May 11 2008, 21:43

Hi Kristin, If you click on my website link below you will find that I have broken out the Santa Rosa listings into 7 neighborhoods, while this is not all encompassing it will give you a general idea of some of the major areas in Santa Rosa and their relationship to each other. Rohnert Park is interesting because their city is divided into sections, there is an A section where all the street names start with A, a B section where all the street names start with B, and a C section,etc. I hope this helps, let me know if you have any further questions.

Mario Bertacco, Broker
SoCo Real Estate, Inc

Sun May 11 2008, 00:29