Sebastopol is having somewhat of a renaissance. For decades, it was known for its plum and apple crops, and in the late 1960s it became a refuge for Haight-Ashbury’s migrating flower children. They flocked to the North Bay’s green hills and valleys wanting to live off the land, many joining communes and partaking in all that 1967’s Summer of Love had to offer. Today, Sebastopol’s main attraction is The Barlow, a former applesauce canning plant that belonged to prominent resident Thomas Barlow and his family. The Barlow now houses a walkable maze of local businesses that offer plenty of wining, dining, tasting and shopping. Planning a visit to Sebastopol? Here are the places you won’t want to miss
At The Barlow
Barge North Company
6780 McKinley Street, Ste. 140
A proud proponent of the slow fashion movement, this company — which offers styles for men, women and kids as well as home goods — only carries brands that meet its ethically made standards. Don’t miss the impressive selection of apothecary items; you won’t leave empty-handed.
Blue Ridge Kitchen
6770 McKinley Street, Ste. 150
When the cuisine is dubbed “California comfort food with a Southern drawl” you know it is going to be good. The menu offers a little something for everyone with Blue Ridge BBQ, smoked Gouda mac and cheese, shrimp and grits, and even a vegan roasted cauliflower steak. Show up hungry!
Golden State Cider
180 Morris Street, Ste. 150
A nod to Sebastopol’s apple-growing roots, this wildly popular taproom offers 12 different varieties of cider, including two that are exclusively served on site. Visitors can also get food from neighboring eateries — order at GSC and it will be delivered straight to your table.
JG Switzer
6780 McKinley Street, Ste. 115
A workshop and studio combo known for its luxurious, natural-fiber home goods and decor. Think upcycled sheep fur, baby alpaca throws, brightly colored silk pillows and flax bed linens. It’s the ideal place to pick up a housewarming gift — even if it is for yourself.
Region.
180 Morris Street, Ste. 170
This choose-your-own-adventure wine tasting experience allows guests to self-serve at the wine tasting machines (or opt for the more traditional experience in the adjacent room) while enjoying the light-filled space. Region offers more than 50 different wines from 25 Sonoma County wineries. It’s hard not to have fun here.
Beyond The Barlow
Fork Roadhouse
9890 Bodega Highway
Situated on the outskirts of Sebastopol, the farm-to-table eatery offers breakfast, lunch and to-go. The menu ranges from healthy California classics (avocado toast and grass-fed Stemple Creek Ranch hamburger) to Mexican bites (try the pork belly fried egg taco) and Italian surprises (don’t miss the Tuscan bean breakfast). There are no wrong choices here.
HopMonk Tavern
230 Petaluma Avenue
An institution in its own right, this 115-year-old stone-and-timber tavern offers a spacious outdoor beer garden and a space called Abbey for live music (Thurs–Sun). While the tavern has four outposts around Marin and Wine Country, this is the original and has enough rustic charm to prove it.
Lynmar Estate Winery
3909 Frei Road
Tucked away on a quiet road, the charming winery is a must-visit. Made up of three vineyards, the estate prides itself on pinot noirs and chardonnays, and the wines pair perfectly with the gourmet eats prepared by executive chef David Frakes. The tasting room is being renovated, but new outdoor spaces open this month along with the wine-and-food-pairing lunches.
Osmosis Day Spa
209 Bohemian Highway, Freestone
A 10-minute drive from Sebastopol, Osmosis is known for its popular cedar enzyme baths (a natural fusion of cedar, rice bran and enzymes). This gem of a day spa also offers a selection of organic facials, massages and expansive Zen gardens with a meditation garden, secluded pagodas and a hammock field, among other blissful attractions.
