Set between Santa Rosa and Healdsburg on either side of U.S. Highway 101, Windsor offers small-town atmosphere and suburban calm amid wineries and forests. “People visit for the wine, food and weather, but they end up staying and building a life here because of the great schools, the strong sense of community and the safety,” says Windsor resident and owner of Heritage Realty Joseph Henderson. Although the city was only incorporated in 1992, it has a long history of agriculture due to its location on the flat of the Russian River Valley. “People used to call it the ‘Poor Man’s Flat’ in the ‘50s and ‘60s, because it wasn’t as rich as the towns surrounding it,” says Vanguard Properties Realtor Sylvia Campa. Now, much of the city’s pastures have been developed into suburbs, though some vineyards and farmlands still dot the landscape.
Windsor’s access to wineries and regional parks consistently draws retirees and young families with children. Though winemaking and tourism remain the city’s biggest industries, many residents now work in healthcare or retail, as well as Sonoma County breweries like The Russian River Brewing Company, based in Windsor and renowned for their Pliny the Younger IPA.
People visit Windsor for the wine, food and weather.
Enjoy a tasting in Windsor at Mutt Lynch where your pets are included.
Head to Russian River Brewery in Windsor for a beer and the Pliny fries.
Find River Road in Windsor for the southern entrance to the region.
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Regional parks and neighborhood greenspaces abound
With oak woodlands to the east and redwood forests to the west, Windsor has plenty of greenspace for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians to explore. On the city’s eastern edge, the 845-acre Shiloh Ranch Regional Park has picnic areas by its parking lot and dirt-packed trails that climb oak-studded hills. Around 4 miles north, the smaller Foothill Regional Park offers a more densely forested pocket of the Mayacamas foothills. On the westside of the city, Riverfront Regional Park’s trails run beside the famous Russian River, winding around a couple of reservoirs and through the redwood groves around them.
The City of Windsor also manages 19 parks, including event spaces, community gardens and sports facilities. In the center of downtown, Windsor Town Green is the city’s most popular park. Its nearly 5 acres of green lawns host movie nights and concerts in the summer and a forest’s worth of Christmas trees in the winter. In the WorldMark Windsor community, the Windsor Golf Course is open year-round, offering an 18-hole course surrounded by vineyard views and an on-site restaurant overlooking the fairway.
Enjoy a long hike through the Oak-tree forest at Shiloh Ranch Regional Park in Windsor.
Windsor residents enjoy ample nature opportunities at Riverfront Regional Park.
Town Green in Windsor is active year round with ample activities.
Enjoy a meal with a view of the fairway at Charlie's Restaurant in Windsor.
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A nostalgic downtown with wineries and shopping centers nearby
Downtown Windsor is a walkable shopping district filled with local businesses set in Mission- and Colonial-style buildings built in the 1990s. The area’s diners, candy shops and wine tasting rooms are centered around the grassy Town Green, giving it a small-town, nostalgic feel. Wineries surround the city, as well, since Windsor lies within Sonoma County's famed Russian River AVA (American Viticultural Area). “The Russian River is famous for its pinot noir,” says Century 21 Realtor and former wine professional David Collins, “because the river provides the cool the grapes need. It’s like having natural air conditioning.” The area is also well known for chardonnay, especially the complex versions grown in the chalky limestone soil of the Chalk Hill sub-region, found east of the 101.
Small shopping plazas with grocery stores can be found along the Highway 101 corridor, and on the Town Green, the Windsor Farmers Market is held on Sundays from April to December, and on Thursdays from June to September. For a broader range of shopping and dining options, locals head 10 miles south to Santa Rosa.
You will enjoy the walkable shopping district in downtown Windsor.
Windsor is surrounded by beautiful Russian River wineries.
Enjoy a glass of Chardonnay in Windsor at La Crema, voted winery of the year.
Oliver's Market is a popular grocery store in Windsor.
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Diverse housing options in a steady market
As of late 2024, Windsor’s median home price is roughly $830,000, higher than the national median of $420,000 but lower than the California median of $890,000. Prices rose 2% between late 2023 and late 2024.
Across Windsor's subdivisions, housing options range from mobile homes to large villas with acreage. "A lot of the land here is owned and developed by the Agua Caliente tribe, who don't have to consider the same traffic guidelines as private developers — many of these homes can really spread out, with lots of space,” says Realtor Sheila Mabry, a Realtor with Luxe Places International Realty. “And you can choose to live out in the country or right downtown and still feel like you're part of the community." New traditional and Spanish Revival homes from the 1990s are common; these typically range from $675,000 to $1 million, depending on square footage. Larger villas range from $1.2 million to over $3 million, depending on the amount of land they have. Mobile homes can also be found in 55-plus communities; these range between $150,000 and $350,000, depending on the number of bedrooms.
Windsor offers some mobile home communities for residents 55 and older.
Planned communities are abundant with amble options for all in Windsor.
Spanish Revival homes from the 1990s are common in Windsor.
New homes down country roads are available in Windsor.
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Windsor Unified Schools' strong arts program
The Windsor Unified School District earns an overall score of A-minus on Niche and is ranked among the top 10 districts in Sonoma County. In 2021, Windsor High School won the California Exemplary Arts Education Award and was given a $60,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Educational opportunities abound at Mattie Washburn Elementary School.
Your children are the highest priority at Brooks Elementary School.
Windsor Middle School offers many opportunities for your children to learn.
Windsor High in Windsor has a sprawling new campus.
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Wildfire risk in Sonoma County
Due to its ample greenery, drier climate and strong winds, the whole of Sonoma County is impacted by wildfires. In 2019, the Kincade Fire didn't reach the city center, but all Windsor residents were ordered to evacuate by the Sonoma County Sheriff; the fire ultimately burned over 77,000 acres in surrounding areas. Due to the frequency of wildfires in the region, some home insurance providers may not offer coverage in certain areas of Sonoma County. Windsor residents should stay up to date on CalFire warnings.
Convenient routes to Santa Rosa and the Bay Area
Highway 101 (known as "the 101") runs 10 miles south to Santa Rosa and 64 miles south to San Francisco. Windsor Station is serviced by Sonoma County Transit, which provides shuttles to the Sonoma County Airport (STS); Windsor Station is also expected to be serviced by the SMART train line by Spring 2025, providing a direct line to the Larkspur Ferry. The Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital, around 6 miles south, is the nearest medical center. STS is around 3 miles south, and San Francisco International Airport is around 75 miles south.
Relatively low crime rates in Windsor
According to FBI data for 2023, Windsor’s property crime rate was lower than national and California rates. In the same year, Windsor’s violent crime rate was also lower than national and California rates.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
