Discover Windsor: Parks, Art and Good Food

Windsor brings together community parks, regional park trails, public art, and food and drink offerings. As you plan your trip, you can prioritize these different sides of the town according to your interests: from walking trails and picnic areas to sculptures, exhibitions and the Town Green.

Parks and Trails in Windsor

The town has 19 community and neighborhood parks, which include walking trails and picnic areas. Esposti Park is home to a coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) estimated to be about 325 years old. The tree is a distinctive natural feature within the town’s park system.

East of Windsor is Foothill Regional Park, a 211-acre wilderness park. It has nearly 7 miles of multi-use trails for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. The Three Lakes Trail is a gravel trail with accessible access, a parking lot controlled by a gate, and a picnic area. Shiloh Ranch Regional Park, in turn, offers nearly 8 miles of trails for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders. In terms of designated trail mileage, Shiloh Ranch therefore has more than Foothill’s nearly 7 miles; at Foothill, the trails are explicitly designated as multi-use trails.

Downtown, Gathering Places and Drinks

The Town Green serves year-round as a gathering place for community events. It is also home to statues of Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts characters. Restaurants, shops and the Town Green in downtown are just a short walk from the SMART train. Together, these offer a central gathering place alongside dining and shopping.

In the Beverage District, carefully crafted drinks are connected with the stories behind the choices, ingredients and creations. Russian River Brewing is also located in Windsor. If you’re interested in the local drinks scene, these are two distinct points of interest: the Beverage District’s storytelling concept and a named brewery in town.

History and Public Art

The Windsor Historical Society Museum is housed in the historic Hembree House. The Windsor Museum features exhibits about the people and events that have shaped Windsor’s history. It is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; admission is free. Check the schedule before your visit if you want to plan your museum time in advance.

Sculptures also add distinctive touches to public spaces. “Big Joe,” a painted steel sculpture created in 2012 by Peter Forakis, stands at the roundabout at Windsor Road and Old Redwood Highway. “The Offering” by Bruce Johnson was created in 2009 from reclaimed old-growth redwood and copper; it is located at the roundabout at Old Redwood Highway and Market Street. “Slice,” a fully welded painted steel sculpture created in 1979 by Robert Ellison, is located in Keiser Park.

The Downtown Windsor Photo Gallery is a public art program along the fencing at Windsor SMART Station and the SMART Pathway/Great Redwood Trail. Artworks at the station platform and along the nearby trail celebrate Windsor’s identity, community pride and creative spirit. Another cultural highlight is the Wisdom Tree Mural Project on the north side of Huerta Gym: the mural depicts the culture and history of the Pomo community.

Planning Your Stay

The Windsor Visitors Center is located in the Windsor Train Depot and provides maps for hiking, cycling and regional parks. For golf enthusiasts, Windsor Golf Club offers a par-72 championship course measuring 6,650 yards. These options add more specific things to consider when planning your trip, alongside walking trails, art sites and museums.

If you’re looking for a hotel in Windsor, it helps to first decide what you’d like to focus on during your stay: park trails and regional parks, history and art, or downtown and its dining options. The places differ in their themes and scale, so you can consider which ones matter most for your trip.

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