Tucked amid the redwood-covered hills between Sebastopol and the Sonoma coast, Occidental makes for a lovely getaway.
Start your day with a walk through the 33-acre Grove of Old Trees. Cared for by LandPaths, a Santa Rosa-based stewardship organization, the privately owned (but publicly accessible) nature preserve is tucked away high on a ridgeline above town and offers spectacular views of old growth redwoods. 17599 Fitzpatrick Lane, Occidental. landpaths.org. (Shutterstock)
An inviting trailside bench allows visitors to take a rest in the Grove of Old Trees, an old-growth redwood grove near Occidental. (Alvin Jornada/The Press Democrat)
For bountiful breakfasts, Howard Station Cafe has quite a local following, with egg sandwiches, freshly squeezed orange juice, and delicious cappuccinos. 3611 Bohemian Hwy., Occidental. 707-8742838, howardstationcafe.com (Mariah Harkey/Sonoma County Tourism)
(From front) The original Eggs Benedict, the Howard's Egg Sandwich, the Howard's Club sandwich, freshly squeezed orange juice and a cappuccino at the Howard Station Cafe in Occidental. (Beth Schlanker/Sonoma Magazine)
Stop by Neon Raspberry Art House, an innovative local gallery that functions a bit like a clubhouse for the super-creative folks—printmakers, clothing designers, artists—who call this part of Sonoma home. Neon Raspberry is also the site of the popular Morihouse foodie pop-ups (don’t miss the delicious mapo tofu!), which happen about once a month. 3605 Main St., Occidental. 415-314-8001, neonraspberry.com (Karen Kizer)
A new lunch favorite is The Altamont General Store, owned and operated by Jenay and Andzia Hofftin. Jenay’s family has lived in Occidental for generations, and she and her wife bring a breath of fresh air to the scene here, with an Instagram-worthy interior and plenty of grab-and-go dishes. 3703 Main St., Occidental. 707-874-6053, altamontgeneralstore.com (Beth Schlanker/Sonoma Magazine)
Mochi donuts, gluten-free summer squash tartlets, left, and Earl Grey polenta olive oil cakes, right, at The Altamont General Store in Occidental. (Beth Schlanker/Sonoma Magazine)
If your visit happens to be on a weekend, be sure to head over to the famed plant nursery at the Occidental Arts & Ecology Center. From April through October, explore the center's lineup of organic and open-pollinated heirloom vegetables, herbs, and flowers largely started in the center’s own “Mother Garden.” 15290 Coleman Valley Rd., Occidental. 707-874-1557, oaec.org (Courtesy of Occidental Arts and Ecology Center)
The 80-acre grounds at Occidental Arts & Ecology Center, including gardens, orchards, and the on-site intentional community, are also open for tours on the first and third Sunday of the month, April through October. (Courtesy of Occidental Arts and Ecology Center)
Time for dinner. West county staple Negri’s Italian Dinner & Joe’s Bar has been family owned since 1943 and offers a menu of contemporary Italian fare along with excellent craft cocktails. They source many of their vegetables from the family ranch two miles down the road. 3700 Bohemian Hwy., Occidental. 707-874-0301, negrisrestaurant.com (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Nonni's Ravioli features house made pasta, beef, pork, swiss chard, herbs and parmesan from Negri's Italian Dinners and Joe's Bar in Occidental. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
The Mac + Cheese with smoked gouda and monterey jack cheeses topped with panko from Negri's Italian Dinners and Joe's Bar in Occidental. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
If it’s Friday, it’s Pie Day at Hazel. The restaurant, owned by Jim and Michele Wimborough, also serves dinner Wednesday through Sunday. Must-orders include roasted chicken with smashed Yukon potatoes, spring onions, lemon vinaigrette and arugula, and Pt. Reyes blue cheese pizza with caramelized onions and arugula. 3782 Bohemian Hwy., Occidental. 707-874-6003, restauranthazel.com
Pepperoni pizza with jalapeño at Hazel in Occidental. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
The Union Hotel Occidental has been run by the Gonnella family for generations. It’s the site for many local celebrations, including their famous holiday parties, where locals sing carols around the piano. The menu features hearty old-school Italian dishes like minestrone and spaghetti with (giant!) meatballs. For an overnight, the Gonnella family runs three luxury guest cottages nearby. 3731 Main St., Occidental. 707-874-3555, unionhoteloccidental.com (Mariah Harkey/Sonoma County Tourism)
For lodging, our pick is the Inn at Occidental. This charming Wine Country bed and breakfast is nestled beneath redwoods right in downtown Occidental. The friendly proprietors host an evening wine hour for guests from 5-6 p.m. and are equipped with plenty of local recommendations for the rest of your getaway. Some rooms are pet friendly. From $239 per night. 3657 Church St., innatoccidental.com
Relax on the porch at Inn at Occidental. (Sonoma County Tourism)
Guest room at the Inn at Occidental. (Courtesy of Inn at Occidental)
The Inn at Occidental. (Courtesy of Inn at Occidental)
For a thrilling window into the surrounding redwoods, try a high-altitude zipline tour with Sonoma Zipline Adventures. Tours cover nearly a mile in the trees, across 14 stretches of zipline, eight sky bridges, two spiral staircases, and a rappel back down. You can also arrange to go glamping in the treetops with an overnight stay in a luxury treehouse yurt. 6250 Bohemian Hwy., Occidental. 888-494-7868, sonomacanopytours.com
Sonoma Canopy Tours offers three different zip-line tours: the Forest Flight Tour, the Tree Tops Tour, and the Night Flight Tour. (Courtesy of Sonoma Canopy Tours)
The tiny west county town of Occidental is an enclave of artists, locavores and ranching families with deep Sonoma County roots. Tucked amid the redwood-covered hills between Sebastopol and the coast, it’s a perfect getaway, far from the madding crowd. Click through the above gallery for a few of our favorite things to eat, drink and do in Occidental. Plus, a couple of top accommodations, if you’d like to spend the night.
