I often get asked to come up with ideas for our guests whether they are last minute or just suggestions. This is an itinerary I came up with for a party who just wanted to visit some of the small towns to shop and take a break from wine tasting.
Sonoma has plenty of excursions to do. Here is just one way to enjoy the day sightseeing.
Westside Road
After remembering our time in the Russian River, the towns along the Bohemian Highway might be what you're looking for. It's one of the most beautiful scenic drives in Sonoma.
If you're looking for a beautiful scenic drive that leads to quaint and unpretentious towns to visit, I'd recommend traveling on the Bohemian Hwy. It will cap the vacation off nicely.
Stumbling on towns like this is what truly solidified our home here.
Start in Monte Rio which is about a half-hour from the house.
Have coffee on a picnic bench along the Highway at Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen (where this beautiful scenic drive starts).
Continue on the highway into Occidental and have breakfast at Howard Station Cafe. After breakfast, peruse the small boutique shops and galleries in town.
From there, head into Freestone and pick up the most favored bread by locals at Wild Flour Bread and cheese at Freestone Artisan Cheese.
After grabbing your bread and cheese, start your trek into Sebastopol (see below). Chances are, you’ll be hanging out for the rest of the afternoon if you're into an artsy atmosphere. (This is where a cooler that we have at the house comes in handy. Make sure to put your cheese in the cooler.)
Sebastopol
www.sonomacounty.com
Probably the most hip and most talked about right now. Sebastopol has really opened up with new shops, wine tasting rooms, and a restaurant hall. We drove through here for the 2nd or 3rd time and were really surprised by the renovations on our last visit.
You'll find unique shops, art galleries, health food, housewares, clothing boutiques, and antique stores.
Check out these links:
Here is a list of what you can find there.
I’d check out the Barlow, the galleries, and the flea market.
In the Community market, you might find cool housewares like a nutmeg mill at a reasonable price.
Also, if you’re into ramen noodles, I hear the ramen at Ramen Gaijin is the best in Sonoma County.
Have a cocktail at Fern Bar.
For a list of eateries, check out the Eater list which you might not need to see after walking around the bountiful farm-to-table restaurants. There is a plethora of up-and-coming eateries and bars in Sebastopol.
For more shopping:
Take the 116 hwy into Cotati (as opposed to the 12 which is the fastest route home).
The 116 Hwy (Gravenstein Hwy) is peppered with vintage boutique shops that you’ll want to pull to the side of the road to take a peak.
More Options
My other choices would be to visit Petaluma and Santa Rosa which both have historic sections in town. Both have a plethora of boutique and vintage shops and are very nice to walk around especially after it rains and the air is crisp.
Other than Healdsburg, they have a small hometown feel as opposed to an artsy atmosphere like Sebastopol.
Click for more info: www.visitsantarosa.com
Hope this helps!
Please let me know what you decide to do and how it turns out.
I'd love to know!
Cheers!
Claudia