| Northbound Business U.S. 101/Santa Rosa Avenue meets Yolanda Avenue at this traffic signal. Photo taken 05/25/06.
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| 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.
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| Traffic thickens as Business U.S. 101/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.
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| Northbound Business U.S. 101/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.
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| Shortly thereafter is the next traffic signal, which provides access to Baker Avenue west. Photo taken 05/25/06.
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| Northbound Business U.S. 101/Santa Rosa Avenue meets Barham Avenue at this traffic signal. Photo taken 05/25/06.
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| The elevated California 12/Luther Burbank Freeway comes into view as northbound Business U.S. 101/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.
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| A rare white California 12 shield is posted as a trailblazer as northbound Business U.S. 101/Santa Rosa Avenue approaches Bennett Valley Road, which is the southern frontage road to the California 12 freeway. Photo taken 05/25/06.
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| Northbound Business U.S. 101/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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| These colorful, wayfinder/trailblazer shields point the way to the government buildings, downtown, and county museum. Photo taken 05/25/06.
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| 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.
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| A landscaped median brings some greenery to downtown Santa Rosa. Use 3rd Street west to pass under Santa Rosa Plaza to Railroad Square. Business U.S. 101 passes through the Courthouse Square District, which features restaurants, shops, and antique stores. Photo taken 05/25/06.
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| At Fourth Street, northbound Santa Rosa Avenue changes into Mendocino Avenue. Business U.S. 101 continues north on Mendocino Avenue. Photo taken 05/25/06.
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| Leaving downtown, northbound Business U.S. 101/Mendocino Avenue meets 7th Street at this intersection. Photo taken 05/25/06.
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| This non-cut-out U.S. 101 trailblazer shield 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. Photo taken 05/25/06.
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| Northbound Business U.S. 101/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 Ridgeway Avenue and Elliott Avenue. Photo taken 05/25/06.
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| At this traffic signal, northbound Business U.S. 101/Mendocino Avenue meets Pacific Avenue. Photo taken 05/25/06.
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| Shortly thereafter, northbound Business U.S. 101 approaches Elliott Avenue west and Dexter Street east. Photo taken 05/25/06.
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| Continuing north, Business U.S. 101/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.
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| 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.
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| Northbound Business U.S. 101 meets Steele Lane and Lewis Road at this traffic signal. Photo taken 05/25/06.
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| The next traffic signal is for Administration Drive west and Chanate Road east. Photo taken 05/25/06.
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| Another of those odd trailblazers for U.S. 101 north is posted after Administration Drive/Chanate Road. Photo taken 05/25/06.
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| 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.
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| Business U.S. 101 Santa Rosa - South
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| Now traveling south, this photo shows southbound Cleveland Avenue approaching Fountaingrove Parkway, including one of the few remaining Business U.S. 101 signs. Turn left on Fountaingrove Parkway to follow Business U.S. 101 south along Mendocino Avenue. Photo taken 05/25/06.
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| Southbound Cleveland Avenue meets Fountaingrove Parkway east and Industrial Drive west. Photo taken 05/25/06.
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| 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.
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Page Updated February 10, 2007.
