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Park · Santa Rosa, Sonoma County

Bayer Park & Gardens picnic guide

Picnics welcomeNo alcoholFree entryGroup sites

Can you picnic at Bayer Park & Gardens?

Yes — Bayer Park & Gardens has picnic areas open to the public. No reservation is needed for the picnic area. Fee: Free for first-come tables. Alcohol isn't allowed here.

Checked September 2026 from srcity.orgStated on the venue's own website

Aerial view of Bayer Park & Gardens and its surroundings
From above: circled is where directions lead. USDA aerial imagery, public domain.

Picnic rules at a glance

Picnicking
Picnics welcome
Bring your own food
Allowed
Alcohol
Not allowed
Purchase required
No
Reservation
Not required
Fee
Free for first-come tables; the two small reservable sites are $60 each ($85 non-residents).
Groups
Two small reservable sites (A and B: 42-44 seats, up to 50 people), booked by phone or in person only at (707) 543-3753 or Finley Community Center.
Dogs
Leashed dogs allowed (6-foot maximum leash); owners must clean up after them.
Kids
Playground and skate park.
Hours
Daily sunrise to sunset
Season
Open year-round.
House rules
  • Alcohol: not for drop-in picnics.
  • Bayer is a neighborhood park, where Santa Rosa allows alcohol only by permit for events open to the public, and the city says alcohol and amplified sound are not permitted at Bayer's reserved sites.
  • Glass beverage containers are banned in all city parks.

What the picnic area is like

A six-acre neighborhood park and community garden in southwest Santa Rosa with picnic areas and barbecues, a large lawn, public art, a playground, a small skate park, courts and restrooms.

  • Picnic tables
  • Lawn
  • BBQ grills
  • Gardens
  • Playground
  • Restrooms
  • Parking

Good for: Families · Budget-friendly · Groups

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About Bayer Park & Gardens

Bayer Park & Gardens is a neighborhood park built around a community garden, with barbecues, two reservable picnic sites and a playground. Bring lemonade, not wine: alcohol isn't allowed here.

  • Community garden and public art
  • Barbecues and two reservable sites for up to 50
  • Playground, skate park and restrooms
  • No alcohol

More dog-friendly spots in Sonoma CountyMore family-friendly spots in Sonoma CountyMore free spots in Sonoma CountyMore best views spots in Sonoma CountyMore groups spots in Sonoma County

Make a day of it

Stock up at a deli nearby, then picnic close by — a short, easy loop.

  1. Oliver's Market

    Deli & market · Santa Rosa · about 1.5 mi away

  2. Bayer Park & Gardens (this park)

    Park · Santa Rosa

  3. Southwest Community Park

    Park · Santa Rosa · about 0.9 mi away

Pick up picnic food nearby

More picnic spots nearby

From above
Park

Southwest Community Park

Santa Rosa· 0.7 mi

Bring your own foodNo reservationWine allowedDogs OK

Southwest Community Park is a practical local park for a birthday or group barbecue, with a reservable gazebo, grills, a playground and restrooms. Alcohol (not in glass) is legal on weekends and weekday evenings.

Southwest Community Park

Bring your own foodChecked Sep 2026
Own food
yes
Wine allowed
yes
Reservation
Not needed
Dogs
Yes
Fee
Free entry

Nearest picnic food: Oliver's Market · 1.5 mi

Details: Southwest Community Park
From above
Park

Juilliard Park

Santa Rosa· 1 mi

Bring your own foodNo reservationNo alcoholDogs OK

One of Santa Rosa's oldest parks, Juilliard occupies the former homestead of 19th-century winemaker Charles Juilliard, directly across the street from the Luther Burbank Home & Gardens. It is a handy free lunch stop downtown with lawn, tables and a playground, but it is alcohol-free unless you hold a permit.

Juilliard Park

Bring your own foodChecked Sep 2026
Own food
yes
Wine allowed
no
Reservation
Not needed
Dogs
Yes
Fee
Free entry

Nearest picnic food: Criminal Cafe & Bakery · 0.7 mi

Details: Juilliard Park
Lawn and flowering garden beds beside Luther Burbank's white house and glass greenhouse in Santa Rosa
Park

Luther Burbank Home & Gardens

Santa Rosa· 1 mi

Bring your own foodNo reservationNo alcohol

The home and gardens of pioneering plant breeder Luther Burbank are now a free, city-owned garden and museum in downtown Santa Rosa. A bench or one of the two small tables makes a pleasant spot for a quick lunch, but this is no place for a wine picnic: city ordinance bans both alcohol and glass on the grounds.

Luther Burbank Home & Gardens

Bring your own foodChecked Sep 2026
Own food
yes
Wine allowed
no
Reservation
Not needed
Dogs
No
Fee
Free entry

Nearest picnic food: Criminal Cafe & Bakery · 0.7 mi

Details: Luther Burbank Home & Gardens
From above
Park

Finley Community Park

Santa Rosa· 2 mi

Bring your own foodNo reservationWine allowedDogs OK

A central, well-equipped Santa Rosa park with a gazebo picnic site, barbecues and a playground next to the Finley Community Center. It's a practical group-picnic option on West College Avenue.

Finley Community Park

Bring your own foodChecked Sep 2026
Own food
yes
Wine allowed
yes
Reservation
Not needed
Dogs
Yes
Fee
Free entry

Nearest picnic food: Oliver's Market · 0.8 mi

Details: Finley Community Park

All picnic spots in Santa Rosa & Bennett Valley →

Frequently asked questions

Can you picnic at Bayer Park & Gardens?

Yes — Bayer Park & Gardens has picnic areas open to the public. No reservation is needed for the picnic area. Fee: Free for first-come tables. Alcohol isn't allowed here.

Can you bring your own food to Bayer Park & Gardens?

Yes. Outside food is allowed at Bayer Park & Gardens.

Can you drink wine at Bayer Park & Gardens?

No, alcohol isn't allowed at Bayer Park & Gardens.

Do you need a reservation to picnic at Bayer Park & Gardens?

No reservation is needed to use the picnic area. Two small reservable sites (A and B: 42-44 seats, up to 50 people), booked by phone or in person only at (707) 543-3753 or Finley Community Center.

Is there a fee to picnic at Bayer Park & Gardens?

Free for first-come tables; the two small reservable sites are $60 each ($85 non-residents).

Are dogs allowed at Bayer Park & Gardens?

Leashed dogs allowed (6-foot maximum leash); owners must clean up after them.

Is Bayer Park & Gardens good for kids?

Playground and skate park.

Sources & accuracy

We last checked this listing in September 2026 (freshest source: City facility and picnic-reservation pages live Sept 2026 (undated)). Policies change — especially for groups and holidays — so confirm with Bayer Park & Gardens before you go. How we verify.

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