Sebastopol is located in
Sonoma County just an hour's drive north of San Francisco Bay Area and
only a few miles from Santa Rosa. Driving around Sebastopol, you see
all sorts of things. Kids ride their bicycles down a shady
lane as the afternoon sun filters through elm trees and flashes patterns
of light on them; a girl and guy in their 20's, both with long, blonde
hair partially covering their faces, are seated at a picnic table at a
local
burger stand--they reach over the table top to kiss; a humorous mailbox
sculpture mounted on an iron fence, portrays a dog biting a US Postal
worker. That's just for starters!
Cruising
into Sebastopol on a recent visit with a driving speed of 25 miles per
hour, a sign set amongst the trees beside the road on State Highway 110
welcomed locals and newcomers to the "NUCLEAR FREE ZONE". Another
billboard on a large grass lawn on Main Street included logo plaques of civic organizations such as
Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions and Odd Fellows. Strikingly at odds with the that sign was an interesting
sculpture beside it that locals described as "The Statue of Liberty."
When visiting and looking for
Sebastopol Hotels, there are
several to choose such as
Avalon Luxury Bed & Breakfast and
Holiday Inn Hotel.
Stroll several blocks
along Main Street in downtown Sebastopol
past an eclectic mix of shops, signage and
scents. From The Crystal People storefront to an historic building
etched with International Organization of Odd Fellows, from the natural and
health products stores where incense drifts through open doorways onto
sidewalks and mixes with the smell of scrambled eggs and bacon, Sebastopol
offers a variety of activities and products for people with special interests. Antique
and art shops are
abundant but visitors can also see the Laguna
Wetlands, go wine tasting, drive to the nearby Russian River or Pacific
Ocean for kayaking and water sports or even play golf in town.
Sebastopol is located on
the western edge of the Santa Rosa plain, 50 miles north of San
Francisco, 8 miles west of Santa Rosa, 10 miles east of Bodega Bay and 15
miles from the Russian River. Conducive to farming, the region produces
the majority of Gravenstein apples. It also enjoys climate and
soil ideal for growing wine grapes.
Incorporated in 1903,
Sebastopol is believed to be named after Sevastopol, a Russian seaport.
It acquired the name in the 1850's when a local fistfight was
compared to battle being raged in Russia. Previous to that time,
native Miwok and Pomo
inhabited the region and enjoyed an abundant supply of fish from the
local rivers and wild game such as elk and deer.
Things to Do and Places
to Stay in Sebastopol:
There are
numerous restaurants and Accommodations in and
around Sebastopol. HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS at
1101 Gravenstein Highway South features 82 guest rooms, affordable rates
and instant online reservations.
Annual events include the Apple
Blossom Festival, held in the Spring and Sebastopol Celtic Music
Festival in the Fall. For nearly 100 years, Sebastopol has celebrated
their apple crops with some sort of festival. The Apple Blossom Festival
is a weekend event that includes a parade, musical entertainment, food
booths and vendors. For more information, contact the Sebastopol Area
Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center: (707) 823-3032 or (877)
828-4748, sebastopol.org
Art is everywhere in Sebastopol and
visitors don't have to go out of their way to explore Art
Galleries and Cultural Arts. Here are few offerings:
Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 6821 Laguna Park Way. Tel: (707)
829-4797.
Sebastopol Community Center, 390 Morris St. Tel: (707) 823-1511
www.seb.org
Sonoma County Repertory Theatre & Main Street Theatre, 104 N.
Main Street, Tel: (707) 823-0177 or (707) 544-7278.
Sebastopol Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St. Tel: (707) 829-3456.
West Sonoma County Historical Museum, 261 S. Main St. Tel: (707)
829-6711.
If you love fine wines,
be sure to visit Sebastopol's very own Iron Horse Winery, which
produces highly rated boutique wines. You can tour by appointment or
visit the sales room which is open daily at Iron Horse Winery,
9786
Ross Station Road, Sebastopol, CA 95472. Call: (707) 877-1508.
ironhorsevineyards.com
Laguna Wetlands Preserve or Laguna
de Santa Rosa is the second largest freshwater marsh in Northern
California. Though primarily a marsh, it has characteristics of a
stream, creek, seasonal wetland, open water and other aquatic habitats.
The oak woodland and vernal pool complex surrounding the wetlands of the
Laguna ecosystem once provided food to antelope, elk, and deer
herds. The Laguna is
now a premier bird-watching area, though other wildlife is occasionally
spotted. The entry to the small Preserve is located at the south end of
the Sebastopol Community Center Parking lot at 390 Morris St. There is a
short walking trail that adjoins the Laguna channel and loops around the
City’s former wastewater ponds. From late Spring to early Fall, a
floating pedestrian bridge is in place to connect to a trail on the east
bank of the Laguna channel. Location: 390 Morris St. Call City of
Sebastopol Planning Department: (707) 823-6167.
While musical concerts are
featured throughout the year with performers such as Arlo Guthrie and
Joan Baez, Sebastopol Celtic Music Festival brings the finest
musicians from around the globe to a weekend event that includes concert
performances and workshops for Celtic fans. Held often in September,
this decade-old event attracts artists such as Martin Hayes & Dennis
Cahill from Ireland. Location: The Community Center, 390 Morris St. and
surrounding park area with free shuttle service provided. Ticket sales
and information for the Celtic Music Festival and other concerts:
Sebastopol Community Center call (707) 823-1511. www.seb.org
