1. History

In the 1850’s,  the town of Sebastopol was formed and erected its first post office. During the California gold rush, some settlers made their way to Sebastopol to try their hand at farming. The apple farming industry brought prosperity to the small town and by 1902 it had built schools, churches, mills, hotels, and an opera house. The 1906 earthquake had devastating effects, destroying most of its buildings, but they were later rebuilt.

Another great dining option outside of The Barlow is Handline. They have amazing fish tacos, soft serve ice cream, and tons of outdoor seating in a park-like setting.

Check out the art at Gallery 300 and the clothing and home goods for the whole family at Barge North. Sebastopol also has a thriving Farmer’s Market every Sunday from 10:00-1:30. There are a lot of great local farms that sell their produce here. You will also get to see the lively locals, which is fun.

There are a few fun activities in Sebastopol. You can check out the junk art by local artists Patrick Amiot and Brigitte Laurent by walking down Florence Avenue and looking for their sculptures in various neighbors' front yards. Sebastopol also has a lavender, honey, and olive oil farm called Monte-Bellaria di California. This is a great place to take a farm tour and breathe in the beautiful fragrance of the lavender. If you’d like to visit a winery, check out Horse and Plow for a wine or cider tasting in their “tasting barn”. They also host live music and art receptions.