Extra Space Storage in Santa Rosa, CA: A Review

Most of Santa Rosa's storage places are located in a clump along busy Santa Rosa Avenue. I've been to check them out, and I can tell you that by and large they are not only overpriced, but run by crazy people. That's why Extra Space Storage, tucked over on West Steele Lane not far from the Coddingtown Mall in the much quieter northern part of town, was such a relief to find. Not only are the rates so much better, but the staff is professional and you feel like you are in good hands when you are on the premises.

This particular location manages to maintain a welcome and pleasant look while still providing adequate security, unlike certain other dumps I could mention that get a wee bit overzealous with the razor wire. Gate hours (access to the units) are the best I've ever seen anywhere, at a consistent 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day of the week. Office hours are within normal business hours on Monday through Saturday.

This particular location also has a very wide variety of unit size options. Just about all are drive-up, with the exception of a handful that are downstairs and underground. Rates range from around $30 to $40 per month on the low end up to around $200 per month for the huge 10x25 units. There's a one time administration fee up front, but it was pretty reasonable if I recall correctly, about ten dollars or so. Mitigating the administration fee is the fact that they usually offer the first month's rent free as a promotion on just about all of the units.

Everyone I dealt with in the office was pleasant and, most importantly, sane. You might think that is not such a big selling point, at least until you go look at other locations in Santa Rosa. You'll be happy to have owners and managers who clearly are not going to ambush you with a shotgun when you leave your storage unit without signing in or out. In fact there's no signing in or out or other ridiculous procedures here, just drive (or bike, or walk) up to the gate and punch in your code and there you go. I felt the fencing was wholly adequate and had no fear of anyone breaking into my unit to steal my old clothes and junky furniture. I guess the only one real downside of the place is that it is clearly designed for cars, and funnels you in a rather long loop to get around to some of the units, which is also pretty narrow and can get hair if someone is speeding like an idiot or making blind turns. Fortunately that didn't happen when I was there, everyone seemed cool.

Extra Space Storage is the one rare case where I actually am thrilled to see the presence of a corporate chain amidst a wasteland of crappy mom and pop operations. If the performance at this location is reflective of the overall level of service throughout the chain, I'll likely be checking them out again in the future in some other city.

Extra Space Storage #275
2053 West Steele Lane
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
# 1-888-609-8483
http://www.extraspace.com/