STS sits approximately 55 miles north of San Francisco, making the drive along US-101 North the most direct option — typically 60 to 90 minutes depending on Bay Area traffic conditions, particularly at the Marin Headlands and Richardson Bay Bridge approaches. Travelers can also connect via a short United Express flight from SFO directly into STS. Sonoma County Airport Express operates a dedicated shuttle service between STS and the San Francisco and Oakland airport areas, offering a cost-effective option for travelers who prefer not to drive. The shuttle runs multiple daily departures and stops at key North Bay transit points. For travelers arriving at Oakland International Airport and continuing to Santa Rosa, the Airport Express shuttle or a rental car via US-101 North through Marin County are the standard options.

Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport offers surface parking directly adjacent to its single terminal building. Short-term parking is priced hourly and is suitable for drop-off and pickup. Long-term daily parking is available at rates significantly lower than comparable daily parking at SFO or Oakland International Airport, making STS an economical choice for extended trips. The parking area is accessed from Airport Boulevard and includes a designated cell phone waiting area for arriving passenger pickups. Passengers are advised to arrive with adequate time, as the lot can fill during peak travel weekends in the summer and fall harvest season when wine country visitation is at its highest. Off-site parking alternatives exist on Airport Boulevard with shuttle connections to the terminal.

STS is the ideal entry point for wine country travel. From the airport, rental cars are available from major agencies including Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and National, putting the entire Sonoma Valley wine corridor within easy reach. Downtown Healdsburg — home to dozens of tasting rooms and Michelin-starred restaurants — is approximately 15 miles north. The Russian River Valley AVA is within 20 miles west. For Napa Valley, Highway 12 east from Santa Rosa connects to Highway 29 in approximately 45 minutes. The Sonoma town square, with its historic mission and surrounding wineries, is about 25 miles south. Flying into STS rather than San Francisco or Oakland eliminates two to three hours of Bay Area driving and positions visitors directly in the heart of Sonoma County from the moment of arrival.

Charles Monroe Schulz, creator of the Peanuts comic strip featuring Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the entire gang, relocated to Santa Rosa in 1969 and remained there until his death in February 2000. He was a prominent and beloved member of the community, operating the Redwood Empire Ice Arena on Steele Lane — which continues to operate today as Snoopy's Home Ice. The airport was officially renamed Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport in his honor in 2000. Inside the terminal, Peanuts-themed artwork and displays celebrate his legacy, and the airport's gift shop carries Snoopy and Peanuts merchandise. The nearby Charles M. Schulz Museum on West Steele Lane, just minutes from the airport, houses original comic strip art and traveling exhibitions dedicated to his 50-year career. Schulz's connection to Santa Rosa is inseparable from the city's identity, and the airport bearing his name serves as a fitting welcome for the millions of travelers who pass through Sonoma County each year.