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 Occidental’s privately owned (but publicly accessible) 33-acre Grove of Old Trees. Cared for by LandPaths, a Santa Rosa-based stewardship organization, the nature preserve at 17400 Fitzpatrick Lane is tucked away high on a ridgeline above town, and offers spectacular views of old growth redwoods.
While the park is publicly accessible, the thin, winding, tree-lined road leading to it has a 15 mph speed limit and was clearly not engineered for much visitor traffic. Those en route are asked to drive slowly and carpool if possible. Because parking is only available in a small gravel lot, weekday trips usually make for better visits, as the preserve can become quite popular on weekends. landpaths.org. (John Burgess)
After your morning hike through the redwoods, make your way to Howard Station Cafe. The cozy restaurant at 3611 Bohemian Hwy. is open seven days a week and has a sizable breakfast and lunch menu featuring local, organic and veggie-heavy options. Cash only, so come prepared. howardstationcafe.com
If your visit happens to be on a weekend, be sure to head over to the famed Occidental Arts and Ecology Center. From April through November, members of the public are invited to explore the OAEC's expansive plant nursery, featuring organic and open-pollinated heirloom vegetables, herbs and flowers largely started in the center's own "Mother Garden." (Courtesy photo)
Try to time your visit to the first or third Sunday of the month (April through October), when members of the public are invited on tours of the center's 80-acre grounds, gardens, orchards and its on-site intentional community. Private tours are available for a fee. To schedule those, call the OAEC office at 707-874-1557, ext. 103. oaec.org. (Courtesy photo)
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Time for dinner. Head to Occidental favorite Negri's Italian Dinner & Joe's Bar for, as the name suggests, a menu full of classic and contemporary Italian fare, and an updated bar serving craft cocktails. This West County staple has been family owned and operated since 1943, and the kitchen sources its ingredients locally as much as it can, with fruits, vegetables and herbs coming from the family ranch just two miles down the road. 3700 Bohemian Hwy., negrisrestaurant.com. (John Burgess)
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 Bitter Hound with gin, fresh grapefruit, Aperol, grapefruit bitters and rosemary sugar from Negri's Italian Dinners and Joe's Bar in Occidental. (John Burgess)
Not feeling Italian or just looking for a nightcap? Just down the road from Negri's is local favorite Barley & Hops, a cozy tavern and music venue known for its rotating craft beer list, pub food and killer live music. 3688 Bohemian Hwy., facebook.com/barleyhopsoccidental. (Erik Castro)
Smokey Sebastopol burger with bacon, cheddar and in-house made barbecue sauce at Barley and Hops Tavern in Occidental. (Erik Castro)
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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, so be sure to ask if that's of interest. 3657 Church St., innatoccidental.com
Guest room at the Inn at Occidental. (Courtesy photo)
The Inn at Occidental. (Courtesy photo)
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