Snoopy’s Home Ice, officially known as the Redwood Empire Ice Arena, is a regulation-size indoor ice skating rink and cultural landmark located at 1667 W Steele Lane in northwestern Santa Rosa, California. Built in 1969 by legendary Peanuts cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, the arena was designed in the style of a Swiss alpine chalet with heavy timber beams, steeply pitched gables, and warm wood-paneled interiors. Unlike utilitarian municipal rinks, the facility was conceived by Schulz as a welcoming community gathering place where families, figure skaters, and hockey players could skate year-round and relax beside a crackling fireplace. Today, the arena forms the cornerstone of the Charles M. Schulz campus in Sonoma County, drawing comic strip fans, recreational skaters, and senior hockey players from around the world.
What to Expect at Snoopy’s Home Ice
Stepping inside the Redwood Empire Ice Arena feels like entering a mid-century European ski lodge rather than a cold concrete sports stadium. Stained-glass windows featuring Peanuts characters cast colored light across the lobby, while carpeted spectator areas and an elevated viewing gallery wrap around the 85-by-200-foot ice sheet. Daily public skating sessions welcome beginners and experienced skaters alike, with figure and hockey skate rentals, walker-style skating aids for young children, and pro-shop sharpening services available at the rental counter. Throughout the year, the ice hosts youth and adult hockey leagues, figure skating clubs, ice shows, and the internationally renowned Snoopy’s Senior World Hockey Tournament, founded by Schulz in 1975.
Connected directly to the rink is the Warm Puppy Café, where Charles M. Schulz ate breakfast and lunch almost every day at his regular corner table—a table still preserved and marked for visitors to see. You can order classic American comfort fare, espresso drinks, hot cocoa, and bakery treats while watching skaters glide across the ice through floor-to-ceiling windows or warming up beside the central hearth. Just outside the arena doors, a manicured courtyard leads to Snoopy’s Gallery & Gift Shop, a two-level retail and display space filled with exclusive Peanuts apparel, plush toys, books, skate gear, and archival Schulz collectibles.
- Swiss Alpine Chalet Architecture: Commissioned by Charles M. Schulz and opened in April 1969, the arena features exposed wood rafters, Swiss chalet trim, stained-glass character motifs, and spectator seating that remains comfortable even for non-skaters.
- Public Skating & Skate Rentals: Year-round public sessions offer full-size ice access with figure and hockey skates stocked from toddler to adult sizes, plus Bobby the Seal and walker-style ice aids for novice skaters.
- Warm Puppy Café & Schulz’s Corner Table: The rinkside eatery serves burgers, grilled sandwiches, soups, salads, ice cream, and hot chocolate with direct views of the rink and Schulz’s permanently commemorated booth.
- Snoopy’s Gallery & Gift Shop: Located steps from the rink entrance, this two-story chalet shop showcases rotating Peanuts memorabilia upstairs and one of the largest selections of official Snoopy merchandise in North America on the ground floor.
- Holiday Ice Shows & Hockey Tournaments: Seasonal figure skating productions in December and the annual summer Senior World Hockey Tournament bring dozens of amateur teams and festive lights to the arena.
Snoopy’s Home Ice at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1667 W Steele Ln, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, United States |
| Neighborhood / Area | Northwest Santa Rosa (Schulz Campus / Coddingtown District) |
| Operating Hours | Daily schedule varies by public skate, hockey, and figure skating sessions; Warm Puppy Café and Gift Shop typically open 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Admission / Price Range | $$ (Public skate admission and skate rentals charged per session; free entry to viewing area, Warm Puppy Café, and Gift Shop) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5 to 2.5 hours (longer if combining with the Charles M. Schulz Museum next door) |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Free on-site surface parking lot; Santa Rosa SMART Train station (Guernseys / North Station at Coddingtown) 0.5 miles east; Santa Rosa CityBus Route 1 |
| Official Website & Phone | snoopyshomeice.com | +1 707-546-7147 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Because ice time is shared among public sessions, youth hockey practices, and figure skating lessons, check the monthly public skating calendar on Snoopy’s Home Ice’s official website before arriving. Weekend afternoon sessions and school holidays draw the largest crowds, so arriving 20 to 30 minutes before a scheduled public skate ensures smooth ticket check-in and skate fitting. Dress in warm layers—long pants, a fleece or light jacket, gloves, and tall, thin socks work best inside the 50-degree arena. If you only want to view the alpine interior, visit Charles Schulz’s table at the Warm Puppy Café, or browse Snoopy’s Gallery & Gift Shop, admission is completely free and no reservation is required.
Getting to the arena is straightforward by car or rail. Drivers can take US Highway 101 to the Steele Lane exit and head west for half a mile to the free surface parking lot surrounding the campus. Travelers using regional transit can ride the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) train to the Santa Rosa North station near Coddingtown Mall and walk 10 minutes west along West Steele Lane. The building offers step-free ground-floor access into the lobby, Warm Puppy Café,accessible restrooms, and rinkside viewing areas. Pair your skating session with a visit to the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center directly across the brick courtyard, or walk five minutes east to Coddingtown Center for additional dining and shopping.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit Snoopy’s Home Ice for public skating?
Public skating sessions are held on most afternoons and select weekend evenings, though exact times shift weekly around hockey leagues and lessons. Weekday afternoon sessions are typically the quietest for beginners, while December holiday skates feature festive tree decorations inside the chalet. Always verify the live daily calendar on the official website prior to your visit.
Do you need tickets to enter the Warm Puppy Café or Snoopy’s Gallery & Gift Shop?
No admission ticket is required to enter the arena lobby, watch skaters from the seating area, dine at the Warm Puppy Café, or shop next door at Snoopy’s Gallery & Gift Shop. You only pay admission and skate rental fees if you step onto the ice during a public skating session.
How much time should I budget for Snoopy’s Home Ice?
Plan on 1.5 to 2.5 hours if you intend to skate a full public session, enjoy hot chocolate or lunch at the Warm Puppy Café, and browse the two-story gift shop. If you are combining the rink with the adjacent Charles M. Schulz Museum, allocate half a day (3.5 to 4.5 hours) for the entire campus.
Is Snoopy’s Home Ice wheelchair accessible and suitable for young children?
Yes, the main arena entrance, Warm Puppy Café, restrooms, and ground-level rinkside viewing areas are wheelchair and stroller accessible, with designated accessible parking spaces directly outside. Young children are well accommodated with toddler-sized double-runner and figure skates, protective helmets, and push-along ice skating aids.
When planning your Santa Rosa travel guide or browsing verified attractions in Santa Rosa, pair this stop with standout local spots including Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center, La Viga Seafood & Cocina Mexicana, FRANCHETTIS' Gasthaus + Biergarten, and Children's Museum of Sonoma County (0.2 km away).
