Less than twenty minutes west of Sebastopol is the tiny woodland town of Occidental. With its quaint Main Street and its beautiful nature, it’s a hidden gem in Sonoma County. Here’s your guide to a day in Occidental.
Drop Off Your Bags Downtown at One of these Lovely Places
At Inn at Occidental, stay in one of the sixteen suites or the cottage, and wake up to a delicious breakfast.
The Occidental Lodge offers twenty-eight cozy rooms. Choose between two queen beds, single kings, and suites.
Brunch at Howard’s Café
Your first stop is coffee and some amazing brunch at the local favorite Howard Station Café. The historic blue house was owned by “Dutch Bill” Howard, who allowed the North Pacific Coast railroad to pass through his property. Order a coffee and something from the fresh juice bar and try the Organic Quinoa Bowl or Homemade Granola.
See Some Local Art
You might have noticed the beautiful murals on some of the buildings on your way to the café. If you’re on the search for more local art, check out the gallery at Occidental Center for the Arts. The gallery is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 am to 4 pm.
Zip Line Over the Redwoods
Less than a ten minute drive from downtown Occidental you’ll find Sonoma Canopy Tours. Here, you can glide over ancient redwood trees and take in some of Sonoma County’s most beautiful nature. Tours range from $99 to $139 a person.
You can read more about Sonoma Canopy Tours here.
Take a Stroll Through the Woods
If you don’t want to soar over the redwoods, walk through them. At Landpaths Grove of Old Trees, you can explore 33 acres of ancient redwood forest for free. Take the one mile loop trail for a leisurely stroll through the towering trees and some peace and quiet.
Browse the Shops on Main Street
After some time in (or over) the forest, head back to downtown Occidental t to check out some of the cute shops. One of our favorites is Boho Bungalow. The eccentric little shop is full of décor, soaps, cards, and cute knickknacks.
Have an Authentic Italian Dinner
For dinner, check out Negris Italian Dinners & Joe’s Bar. The family-owned restaurant serves meals passed down through four generations. The old Italian recipes combined with locally sourced ingredients makes for an amazing dining experience.
