Let’s Go to a Museum, Charlie Brown

He may have been defined as a "lovable loser," but Charlie Brown wins the day at the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa. The museum and surrounding gardens are an outstanding homage to the life and work of Schulz, creator of the angst-filled yet funny comic strip, Peanuts. The museum has the world’s largest collections of original Peanuts comic strips.

Spend an afternoon hanging out with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the Peanuts gang. Relive all your favorite moments or introduce them to someone who may not be as familiar with Peanuts...

from Charlie Brown’s failure to kick a football, to Snoopy’s adventures as a World War I Flying Ace, Beethoven-loving Schroeder jamming on his piano and know-it-all Lucy giving psychiatric advice.

Through Schulz's own words, sketches, and letters, you’ll learn the inspiration and thought-process behind his creative process, even seeing the desk where the artist brought his creations to life.

Feeling inspired? Head upstairs to the Education Room, where you can draw and animate your favorite Peanuts characters.

Or venture outside and ruminate on the meaning of life (or Christmas?) by walking a labyrinth shaped like Snoopy’s head and checking out some a giant redwood tree in a garden area featuring Peanuts figures like Linus.

And just across the street, you can lace up some skates and glide across Snoopy’s Home Ice—a charming indoor rink designed to resemble a Swiss alpine village. Grab some soup, sandwiches, and hot chocolates at The Warm Puppy Cafe, and check out the vast Gallery & Gift Shop.

Bonus: Don’t miss “60 Years of A Charlie Brown Christmas,” a special exhibition on view through January 11, 2026. Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the animated holiday classic, this showcase features never-before-seen artifacts—including pages from the original script and the comic strips that inspired the show.

From San Francisco, take the Golden Gate Bridge/US-101 north to Exit 491 for Steele Ln./Guerneville Rd. in Santa Rosa. Turn left on Steele Ln./Guerneville Rd. and keep right to continue on W. Steele Ln. for about 0.4 mile. The museum and parking will be on your right.

The museum is open daily except Tuesdays and major holidays. Admission is $15 for adults, with discounts for seniors, children, EBT cardholders, and military personnel. Public skating schedule for Snoopy Home Ice.

Story and photos by Yvonne Pasquini, @yovnne_pasquini.