Sebastopol, CA Road Trips

Sebastopol is a semi-rural town with an attractive downtown and sprawling farmland just outside the city edge. With a population of 7,700 (2019), it is a quaint but vibrant community that leans far to the left in its politics. Just north of Sebastopol is Graton, a small census-designated area with additional attractions, included below.

1 Hallberg Butterfly Gardens, 8687 Oak Grove Avenue, ☏ +1 707-823-3420. The gardens, located in Graton, are open for guided tours, by appointment, from April 1 to October 31, except for an annual open house. Appointments can be made only for Fridays and Saturdays between 10AM and 4PM. Suggested donation: child $2, adult $10, senior or student $7. (updated Jul 2019) Botanica (formerly Hidden Forest), 3970 Azalea Lane, ☏ +1 707-823-6832. Th-M 9AM-4PM. A botanical garden and nursery, with acres of azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, magnolias, among many other plants, many of them rare. (updated Apr 2024) 2 Ragle Park, 500 Ragle Rd. sunrise to sunset year-round. A beautiful 157-acre park on the edge of town, with recreational facilities toward the road and ample, secluded walking trails through the gentle hills. The Gravenstein Apple Fair, one of Sebastopol's most beloved community events, takes place here every August. $7 parking fee. 3 Sturgeon's Steam Powered Saw Mill, 2150 Green Hill Rd (Hwy 116 North, right on Occidental Rd, right on Green Hill Rd). runs 4 weekends each year, check schedule on web site. Sturgeon's mill is a fully operational steam-powered lumber mill that cuts logs into lumber. All of the original hand tools, equipment, steam engines, rolling stock, and bookkeeping records are in use or on display. donation requested $25 per person. (updated Jul 2019) 4 Sebastopol Center For the Arts, 282 S. High Street, ☏ +1 707-829-4797, [email protected]. Th-Su 10AM-4PM. Art gallery. (updated Jan 2022) 5 West County Museum, 261 S. Main St, ☏ +1 707-829-6711.

1 Sebastopol Farmers' Market, Sebastopol Plaza on Weeks Way (take Hwy 116 through Sebastopol; it's in the middle of town). Su 10AM - 1:30PM. The Sebastopol Farmers' Market takes place in the Sebastopol Plaza year-round. There is always live music and a wide of assortment of food to nosh on. Farmers and ranchers sell fresh local fruit, vegetables, cheese, eggs, and baked goods, and locally-produced body products and crafts that are hand-made by local artisans are also on sale. Free admission. (updated Jul 2019) Kokopelli Farm, 1543 Cunningham Road, ☏ +1 707-829-8185. Berry pickers (U-pick) are welcome, but by appointment only; mornings are best for berry-picking. Organic; boysenberries, blackberries, and raspberries. The farm also has an onsite farm stand, for those who don't want to pick their own berries. (updated Jun 2023) Earthseed Farm, 3175 Sullivan Road, ☏ +1 707 829-0617, [email protected]. This 14-acre solar-powered organic farm welcomes berry and fruit pickers by appointment on select days in July and August. Plums, pluots, blackberries, raspberries and a variety of apples are available. (updated Jun 2023) Redwood Hill Farm ~ Capracopia Tours, 5480 Thomas Road, ☏ +1 808-321 0713, [email protected]. By appointment. Farm tours offer a variety of activities. The kid feeding demonstration starts the tour promptly at 1 pm. Options thereafter include “kid cuddling” the newly arriving kids, feeding the adult goats, and a hands-on milking demonstration (or try yourself).

1 El Coronel Mexican Restaurant, 1015 Gravenstein Ave (on Hwy 116 heading north into Sebastopol), ☏ +1 707-829-7010. M-F 11AM-9PM, Sa Su 10AM-9PM. Good Mexican food. Full bar. Items and prices appropriate for families with kids. (updated Jul 2019) 2 Fandee's Restaurant, 7824 Covert Ln (in the Fiesta Market Center, just off Highway 116), ☏ +1 707-829-2642. M-F 6AM-9PM, Sa Su 7AM-9PM. Creative comfort food, using fresh, local ingredients. A family-friendly, neighborhood spot. (updated Aug 2019) 3 Goldfinch Restaurant, 119 S Main St, ☏ +1 707-827-9800, [email protected]. It features "wood-fired, locally sourced and sustainable fare", and "creative plant-based dishes with seafood and meat as sides". Khom Loi, 7385 Healdsburg Avenue, #101, ☏ +1 707-329-6917, [email protected]. Winner of a Bib Gourmand award from the Michelin Guide 2021, Thai cuisine in a friendly, unpretentious, and vibrant space 4 The Livery, 135 S Main St. A 22,000-square-foot, multi-level, all season, indoor/outdoor, food hall, beverage tasting room, cowork space and rooftop event center. Micro-restaurants include El Charro Negro, Taverna Lithi, Cozy Plum Kitchen, and the Village Bakery. Ramen Gaijin, 6948 Sebastopol Ave, ☏ +1 707-827-3609, [email protected]. Ramen noodle dishes and Japanese small plates 5 Society Bakery and Cafe, 2661 Gravenstein Highway South, ☏ +1 707-861 9665, [email protected]. Tu-F 10AM-4PM. Coffee drinks, sandwiches and soups, and in-house baked goodies that taste as good as they look. Outdoor seating only. Try the ginger molasses cookies.

Hardcore Espresso, 81 Bloomfield Rd. A locals' hang out and the best place for coffee. Hardcore Espresso is exactly that, hardcore, the building is the back side of a barn. The cafe is half inside, half outside and is a part of the local flavor.

1 Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, 1101 Gravenstein Hwy South, ☏ +1 707-829-6677. (updated Jan 2022)

Driving is the easiest way to get to Sebastopol. From the south, take 101 North and the exit for 116 West, in Cotati. From the north, take 101 South and exit for 12 West in Santa Rosa. Both roads go directly to downtown Sebastopol. Sonoma County Transit Mendocino Transit Authority

The area of downtown Sebastopol is small and can easily be covered on foot. Buses are available but not frequent; to reach more rural areas, a car is helpful. Route 24 of Sonoma Country Transit, is a loop around Sebastopol; it's free to use (as of June 2022).