Occidental
Occidental, just west of Sebastopol in Sonoma County, is a small charming town. Here you will find:
Union Hotel Restaurant: Located in a hotel building from 1879, this is a restaurant known for its bakery café, Italian restaurant and old saloon. 3731 Main St.
Howard Station Café is recommended by a local friend as a great breakfast spot with an emphasis on organic foods. 3611 Bohemian Highway.
Howard Station Cafe
Hazel restaurant gets good reviews as well. “The restaurant space features two wood fired ovens that will be the focus in creating the ever-changing menu.” 3782 Bohemian Hwy.
To stay in the area, a local friends highly recommends The Inn at Occidental with sixteen guest rooms a a two-bedroom cottage. It is a charming property surrounded by redwoods and nearby wineries.
Freestone
Well-worth the short drive south of Occidental is the town of Freestone. Here you can find:
Wild Flour Bread: Open Friday through Monday, this is well-known bakery featuring their brick oven bread. They have a full menu of breads, biscotti, cookies as well as coffee and tea. 140 Bohemian Highway.
Freestone Artisan Cheese: A small cheese store selling other gourmet food items as well. Make sure to ask to sample some of the great local cheeses. 380 Bohemian Highway.
Joseph Phelps Freestone Vineyard, 12747 El Camino Bodega: With vineyards and tasting in both Napa and Sonoma counties, stop by to taste their pinot noirs and chardonnays.
A friend also recommends the Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary which has been offering day spa treatments since 1985. 209 Bohemian Highway.
