| Sebastopol is graced with
a fabulous Mediterranean climate, gently
rolling hills and great pastoral beauty
that draws visitors and new residents alike.
Sebastopol was established in 1902 and is
currently home to about 8,000 residents.
This small town is surrounded by a rich
agricultural heritage yet hosts a vibrant
downtown with both live theater, a cinema,
an art center, a handful of fine restaurants,
a variety of small shops and businesses,
and café’s filled with artists
and intellectuals.
Over a third of Sebastopol’s residents
have college degrees compared to roughly
a quarter of the state’s population.
Nearly 50,000 people live in the rural areas
surrounding Sebastopol, including Graton,
Freestone and Occidental…often referred
to as “West County”. Most of
these locals come into Sebastopol for entertainment,
work, medical care and shopping.
Sebastopol offers a variety of unique retail
stores and has managed to avoid the “big-box”
retailers that tend to cluster along highway
101 in the middle of Sonoma County. Sebastopol’s
multiplex cinemas were added in the last
decade, as well as two new hotels.
Recreation opportunities within Sebastopol
include the Joe Rodota Trail for walking
or bicycling and the Laguna de Santa Rosa
Wetlands Preserve which is a major stop
and nesting area for migrating birds. The
City of Sebastopol is planning expansion
of this park, including wetlands restoration,
new trails, interpretive facilities, and
recreation facilities. Nearby recreation
options include kayaking and canoeing along
the Russian River, and sunning or surfing
along the Pacific beaches. Sebastopol has
a public golf course with nine holes that
is quite lovely with some nice water features.
Surrounding Sebastopol are premium wineries
with tasting rooms as well as vegetable,
fruit and livestock farms open to the public.
Agriculture is a big industry in this area
with crops ranging from the legendary Gravenstein
apple orchards to vineyards plus seasonal
crops like mushrooms, pumpkins, and Christmas
trees.
Sebastopol’s festivals are sprinkled
throughout the year, from the Apple Blossom
Festival in the spring, the Gravenstein
Apple Fair in the fall, plus a Celtic Festival,
Shakespeare in Ives Park, and a Cajun Festival.
Sebastopol’s plaza hosts live music,
a farmers’ market and local artisans.
Weather
The ocean’s influence (a mere 15 minutes’
drive to the west) keeps Sebastopol cooler
than its larger neighbor to the East, Santa
Rosa. During the summer, daytime temperatures
in Sebastopol are typically in the high
70’s to low 80’s, cooling to
the 50’s in the evenings. Wintertime
temperatures range between the 30’s
to the 50’s, occasionally with a light
dusting of frost. Average rainfall is between
30 and 35 inches per year concentrated during
mid winter to early spring.
Due to a varied topography there are a
number of microclimates in Sebastopol. Some
of these microclimates are warmer and drier
compared to other areas which are damper,
cooler and sometimes foggier. The assistance
of an experienced realtor can assure your
home purchase suits your weather preferences.
Click
here for current weather conditions
Housing
The varied topography and microclimates
result in many different kinds of properties
to choose from. Sebastopol’s cooler
areas may feature redwood groves, creeks,
or wide vista views out west toward the
coast, while homes along the warmer grasslands
with oaks and rolling hills may enjoy views
of the eastern valley and Santa Rosa’s
city lights at night. Most of Sebastopol’s
homes are unique, since the community hasn’t
embraced rapid growth or subdivisions. Purchasing
rural homes truly merits employing an experienced
real estate agent, since there are significant
zoning differences, occasional water constraints,
septic issues, and such a wide variety of
neighborhoods and microclimates to choose
from.
Click on links below to view town specific
information.
FREESTONE:
Arriving for the first time in Freestone,
one is immediately struck by the incredible
natural beauty of this valley and its surrounding
hillsides. Although it is among the smallest
of the west county communities, Freestone
is widely known on account of several successful
businesses which attract visitors from miles
around.
Wild Flour Bread offers incredible organic
wood-fired oven baked goods and a weekend
gathering place for locals, tourists and
bicyclists. Just across the street is the
Osmosis Spa and Enzyme Baths which offers
Japanese gardens, massage, and relaxing
spa treatments from Japan. Down the street
is the Wishing Well Nursery and Freestone
House & Gardens offering gifts plus
a location for wedding ceremonies. Also
on site is the original Freestone Store
established in 1876. Lodging includes bed
and breakfast at The Green Apple Inn named
in honor of the valley’s agricultural
heritage. Freestone is one of the oldest
historical districts in Sonoma County.
While there is sometimes a layer of morning
fog, especially in the fall and winter,
spring and summer temperatures are quite
temperate and mostly clear and sunny. Located
about 3 miles from Occidental and about
6 miles each way from Bodega Bay and Sebastopol,
Freestone has a limited housing inventory
and is home to vineyards, estates, equestrian
properties, Christmas tree farms, and orchards.
GRATON:
Graton is a sleepy town of under 1000 residents.
Although the main street is only a couple
of blocks long, it features some amazing
restaraunts and a few boutique stores. Surrounded
by orchards and vineyards, Graton lies just
north of Sebastopol, west of Santa Rosa,
and south of Forestville, and is largely
an agricultural community. Several wineries
are close by for visiting and tasting.
The topography of Graton is level to gently
rolling hills. Compared to other Russian
River communities, the weather in Graton
is somewhat warmer and drier, with summer
temperatures ranging from the mid 40’s
to mid 80’s. The housing stock in
Graton is rather limited; typically built
in the ranch or bungalow styles.
OCCIDENTAL:
Occidental has about 2500 residents, most
of whom live in the pastoral hills surrounding
this picturesque hamlet. Occidental still
has its original village flavor, with quaint
boutiques, hundred-plus year old restaurants,
and pedestrian friendly layout. Sonoma County
and Bay Area residents consider Occidental
a quick get-a-way destination for dinner
or a relaxing weekend. Occidental enjoys
a temperate climate with relatively cool
summers, easy access to beaches and hiking,
plus several wineries, excellent spas and
lodging.
Check out Occidental’s interesting
nurseries and farms, including the well-known
Occidental Arts and Ecology Center with
their 80 acres devoted to a non profit community,
beautiful organic gardens, and a retreat
center that hosts workshops.
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Housing in Occidental: |
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The
housing inventory is somewhat limited,
ranging between smaller original cabins
and Victorians to ranch style homes,
through elegant estates on view acreage. |
History
Established in 1876 by Melvin Cyrus
“M.C.” Meeker, (also the founder
of Camp Meeker), Occidental was along the
route of the North Pacific Coast railroad
which was built by over a thousand Chinese
railroad workers to facilitate the monumental
harvest of the virgin coastal redwood forests.
At one point there were 6 active mills along
the creeks. The town grew to accommodate
weekenders and sightseers who took the trains
up from San Francisco. Many Italians moved
into the area attracted by economic opportunities
such as becoming business owners or establishing
restaurants (some of which still exist today).
According to historian Amie Hill, Occidental
was named after the Occidental District
School, built in 1864 north of town. The
word “occident” means the fall
of the setting sun or the west. The exact
origin of the town’s name is unknown,
but there are many tales. Come and ask a
local!
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