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Hop on the train and click through the gallery to sample 12 North Bay sidetracks with SMART. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
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Sonoma County Airport: Even if you’re not taking a flight, there are things to see and do at the Sonoma County Airport, roughly a 20-minute walk from the airport SMART station. Local French bakery Cousteax has an outpost at the airport, Cousteax On The Go, open mornings and afternoons on weekdays. Taste wines at The Flight Deck Lounge or check out the above-average menu, including sushi and steak, at the Sky Lounge. And the Pacific Coast Air Museum is just another five- to 10- minute walk from the airport terminal. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
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Santa Rosa North: Bring your out-of-town visitors to the Charles M. Schulz Museum, a 10-minute walk from the Santa Rosa North station. Nearby is the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County, with play areas and interactive exhibits designed for children ages 10 and younger, including a garden with a miniature version of the Russian River, an art studio and a scaled-down railroad and train station. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
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Ryeson Bull clings into a helicopter play structure at the Children's Museum of Sonoma County in Santa Rosa. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
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The Charles M. Schulz Museum and Snoopy's Home Ice are just a ten-minute walk from the Santa Rosa North train station. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
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Santa Rosa Downtown—Railroad Square: This turn-of-the century neighborhood just across the street from the train station is a go-to spot for vintage and antique shopping, from Whistlestop Antiques to Hot Couture Vintage Fashion. The old Northwestern Pacific Railroad train depot starred in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Shadow of a Doubt.” (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
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Whistlestop Antiques in Historic Railroad Squareon Fourth Street in Santa Rosa, Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat) 2022
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Cotati: Get lunch near this retro station. Just a couple of blocks down the road, you’ll find Oliver’s Market, where you can buy sandwiches, salads and other goodies in the deli section. Next door is Acme Burger and Red Bird Bakery. Walk a little farther down East Cotati Avenue for an epic fried chicken sandwich and Southeast Asian-inspired dishes at Jam’s Joy Bungalow. (Courtesy of Jamilah Nixon-Mathis)
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Peanut noodle salad prepared by Jamilah Nixon-Mathis, chef and founder of Jam's Joy Bungalow. (Alvin Jornada/The Press Democrat)
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Acme Burger at Acme Burger in Cotati. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
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Petaluma Downtown: The train stops more or less at the 1914 Railroad Depot Freight Building, which houses the Petaluma Arts Center. Here, you can see an art exhibition, listen to a concert, take a class or watch a film or play. And downtown Petaluma with its many restaurants and music venues, is a 10-minute walk across the Petaluma River. (Courtesy of Petaluma Arts Center)
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Luna Herrera, 16, of Rohnert Park, dances with the group Ballet Folklorico Paquiyollotzin outside of the Petaluma Arts Center. (Darryl Bush/For The Press Democrat)
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Marin Civic Center: Sample fresh produce, chat with vendors and choose from artisan delights at California’s third-largest farmers market, the Sunday Marin Farmers Market, at the Marin Civic Center. The civic center is a 15-minute walk from the SMART station and it was one of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s final works. On the second Sunday of each month, the French Market Marin, with antiques, vintage jewelry, food and French music, takes place a short distance from the civic center. (Courtesy of Agricultural Institute of Marin)
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The Marin Civic Center, built in 1957, is one of Frank Lloyd Wright's last major works and his only realized project for a government entity. Docent tours of the center are held at 10:30 a.m. on Fridays. Tour participants get to see the building's iconic blue roof, and custom furniture designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built by inmates from San Quentin's wood shop. (Courtesy of City of San Rafael)
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San Rafael Downtown: Right across from the SMART station, you’ll find popular Puerto Rican restaurant Sol Food. Order crave-worthy dishes like Pollo al Horno (chicken thighs), Camarones Empanizados (breaded and fried prawns and plantains) or the much-loved Cubano sandwich. Then catch an art-house movie at the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center on Fourth Street. (Mike Chappazo / Shutterstock)
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Larkspur: Most SMART train passengers head to Larkspur to hop on the ferry to San Francisco. But there are a lot of places to explore while you’re waiting for the ferry, too. Nearby Marin Country Mart has chic boutique shopping and restaurants, including Hog Island Oyster Co., Farmshop and El Huarache Loco. For kids, there is the Mart Littles Storytime at Copperfield’s Books. (Courtesy of Marin Country Mart)
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The Larkspur ferry arrives at the San Francisco Ferry Building (pictured), with a farmers market on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and artisan merchants and restaurants inside the historic building. The one-way Sail & Rail Combo Ticket is $12. It is only available through SMART's e-ticket app. (Shutterstock)
