Take the train to Santa Rosa and discover a crafter’s paradise, a foodie’s dream destination and more just a stone's throw from the station.
Cast Away Yarn Shop is Northern California’s largest yarn store, housed in a historic brick warehouse and stocked with supplies for weaving, felting, knitting and more. The store is owned by a mother-daughter team, Justine and Cleo, and its artful layout and merchandise displays will make anyone want to enter the world of fiber DIY. There’s inspiration in every nook of the space, like beautifully-made pattern samples and endless skeins of yarn in all kinds of colors. Quality, naturally-dyed and cruelty free fibers are all in supply and the store put on fun events like Help Night, Sip & Stitch and the Queer Craft Club. 100 4th Street (entrance on Wilson), Santa Rosa, 707-546-9276, castawayyarnshop.com. (Photo courtesy of Cast Away)
Olde Towne Jewelers is a treasure trove of vintage and antique jewelry pieces. See a bit of history told in precious metals and gemstones from antique brooches and yellow diamonds to vintage and modern luxury watches. This store boasts the largest supply of vintage and estate jewelry in the area and also services those pieces—or your own—with jewelry and watch repair on the premises. 125 4th St., Santa Rosa, 707-577-8813, 800-286-7355, oldetownjewelers.com. (Photo courtesy of Olde Towne Jewelers)
Bride and groom rings from Old Towne Jewelers in Santa Rosa. (Peg G. / Yelp)
The showroom and workshop at Olde Towne Jewelers in Santa Rosa. (Photo courtesyof Olde Towne Jewelers)
At Olive and Rose, you can take home some of the understated-yet-gorgeous aesthetic of local interior designer Chelsea Miller. Miller believes in being a good at-home host, and she offers the details—like ceramics, linens and room sprays—for creating a richly layered, yet calm space that’s inviting and comfortable. Miller also believes in being a good houseguest, and so the store’s offerings also work as gifts, with some assembled in themed gift baskets for the foodie, bartender, new homeowner or others in your life. 111 4th St., 707-919-3072, oliveandrosestudio.com.
Miracle Plum, a market and gathering place, offers a “little but fierce” curation of foods (cheese, produce, eggs, coffee), wines the team is “hyped on,” and kitchen finds that you didn’t know you had to have like a clay baker, or a microplane for zesting citrus or shredding Parmesan. How about on-trend, fair trade and beautiful Bolga baskets for farmer’s market hauls? Then there’s a supply of natural bristle dish brushes, modern art dustpans, and wonderfully off-the-beaten-path pantry items, from Healdsburg-made polenta to Norwegian sea salt. The theme here is small batch, good ingredients/materials, and sound production processes. There’s also the greatest little selection of cookbooks, the kind that will have you making your own butter or sourdough bread. And did I mention the Cookbook Club and other events? 208 Davis St, Santa Rosa, 707-708-7986, miracleplum.com
Sallie Miller, front, and Gwen Gunheim, the owners of Miracle Plum on Davis Street, started the popular Miracle Plum Cookbook Club. (Beth Schlanker)
Miracle Plum in Santa Rosa sells natural wines and hosts wine tastings. (Chris Hardy/for Sonoma Magazine)
A selection of food at Miracle Plum in Santa Rosa. (Chris Hardy)
Glassware at Miracle Plum in Santa Rosa. (Chris Hardy)
With SMART train access extended to Larkspur, it’s a good time for riders from Marin and San Francisco to explore what Santa Rosa’s historic Railroad Square has to offer. From a crafter’s paradise to a foodie’s dream destination, we’ve picked out four shops well worth the trip. And don’t miss the cute cafes and cosy restaurants in and around Railroad Square. Click through the above gallery for details.
