a little further west in sonoma county.
Your curated guide to Occidental, Guerneville, the Russian River, Sebastopol, and the Sonoma Coast
West Sonoma County, or “West County” as locals call it, is best explored without too much of a plan. From ancient redwoods to dramatic coastline, farm-to-table restaurants to quirky vintage shops, The Little Bohemian is your perfect jumping off point. Wander down back roads, linger over a long lunch, find a good bottle of wine, take a swim, or follow the road until something catches your eye.
We've rounded up a few of our favorite places to eat, drink, wander, and get into a little trouble along the way. Better yet, check out our full West County Field Guide via the link below.
Our hall of fame-
For the places where West County really earns its keep.
Armstrong Redwoods
Ancient redwoods, easy trails. Pictures don’t do it justice, so may as well leave the phone at home.Bodega Head
Big coastal views, dramatic cliffs, and one of our favorite places to catch the sunset.Patterson Point
A quieter river spot for swimming, sunning, or doing absolutely nothing. Time may have forgotten the carefree hamlet of Villa Grande, but you won’t.Goat Rock Beach
Our favorite place to listen to the sound of crashing waves. The weather here can be a fickle mistress. But when she cooperates? Oh boy, does she cooperate. -
Armstrong Redwoods or Grove of Old Trees — Walk beneath some very, very old trees. There are easy trails through the grove, or longer routes if you're looking to earn your lunch.
Bike Coleman Valley Road
One of West County's great cycling routes: rolling farmland, redwoods, and eventually the Pacific. Bring a bike and a sense of adventure—or just admire the people who do.Get on the River
Rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard and spend a few hours floating the Russian River. Burke's Canoe Trips offers a 10-mile self-guided trip, while several local outfitters offer shorter paddles.Go Ziplining
Sonoma Zipline Adventures takes you through the redwood canopy just outside Occidental, with seven lines, sky bridges, and plenty of opportunities to question your decision to leave the ground.Walk the Coast
Bodega Head is an easy coastal loop with big Pacific views, cliffs, wildlife, and plenty of fresh air. Good for a morning when you want to feel virtuous before lunch.Anjenya Yoga Studio in Occidental offers a variety of classes throughout the week in a down to earth setting
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Ragle Ranch
Let them run. Ragle Ranch in Sebastopol has open space, wooded trails and one of the better dog parks around, with plenty of room to get the zoomies out.The Russian River
Head down to the river for a slow afternoon of swimming, sunning and wandering. Monte Rio and the lower river are especially good for a dog-friendly day by the water.Pinnacle Gulch
Take the short trail through the gulch down to the beach, where the forest opens up to the ocean. It’s an easy little adventure with tide pools, rocks and plenty of new smells.Wine Country, With a Plus-One
Several West County wineries are happy to have your four-legged travel companion along. Settle in on a patio, open a bottle and let the afternoon take its time. Square Peg Winery and House & Plow are an easy drive.A Day at the Coast
Feeling ambitious? Dead west to the Sonoma Coast. Doran Beach has a long sandy stretch for walking, while several of the beaches between Bodega Bay and Jenner allow leashed dogs. Check the local rules before you go—coastal dog access varies by beach. -
Antique Society
Just outside Sebastopol. Twenty thousand square feet of vintage, antiques, art, furniture, curiosities and things you didn’t know you were looking for. Give yourself some time—you’re going to find something.The Barlow
Spend an afternoon wandering Sebastopol’s old apple cannery turned maker marketplace, with shops, galleries, food, wine and plenty of opportunities to take something home. It’s an easy place to lose a few hours—and maybe a little money.Shop Occidental
Occidental is tiny, but it punches above its weight. Browse Neon Raspberry for vintage clothes, art and beautifully strange things; Cypress Gallery & Bazaar for vintage finds and handmade goods; Boho Bungalow for home and lifestyle treasures; Galleria for colorful global curiosities; or The Altamont General Store for beautifully chosen housewares and provisions. Then keep wandering—you never know what you’ll find. -
Wild Flour Bakery
Well, this place has long captured our hearts and stomachs. Just a short hop down to Freestone, this bakery turns out some of the best loaves, scones, and sticky buns we’ve come across. Grab whatever looks best and take it to their garden. Don’t overthink your choice - you can’t go wrong.The Altamont General Store
A little bit general store, a little bit cafe, a little bit neighborhood hangout. Come for the farm-to-table food and Hawaiian-inspired flavors, stay for the natural wine, soft serve, and whatever's happening in the yard.Hazel
A longtime Occidental favorite from Jim and Michele Wimborough, now in a beautiful new home in the heart of town. Expect seasonal, local cooking with a rustic Mediterranean bent—and excellent pie.Saucy Mama's Jook Joint
Southern comfort food with a West County point of view. Go hungry for fried catfish, ribs, mac and cheese, cornbread waffles, and down home hospitality.Cafe Aquatica
Perched at the mouth of the Russian River in Jenner, this is as much about the setting as what's on the plate. Grab a coffee, pastry, sandwich, or something from the seasonal menu and take a seat overlooking the water—especially good when there's live music.
Choose your own West County adventure
A 10 minute drive from The Little Bohemian, the Russian River winds through the redwoods of West Sonoma County. Spend a summer day swimming, kayaking or floating the river, wander through Guerneville, or find a shady spot along the banks and do even less. The Russian River is close enough to make a very easy afternoon from The Little Bohemian, with plenty of hiking, wine tasting, restaurants and small towns to explore along the way.
We love renting canoe’s from Burke’s Canoes, or a good old fashioned river float from Steelhead Beach to Sunset Beach (there’s a summertime shuttle). Closer to us, enjoy Monte Rio Beach and Patterson Point Preserve.
Russian River
As far west as your car will take you (20 minutes to be more precise), the land gives way to dramatic cliffs, beaches, sea lions and big Pacific views. After some nosh at Cafe Aquatica, explore the hiking trails just south of Jenner from Shell Beach, set up camp at Goat Rock Beach, or head to Bodega Bay for oysters, fish and chips, and salty air. Stop at Fisherman’s Cove for a dockside bite, or Fishetarian Fish Market for something straight from the coast. Come for the hiking and beaches, stay for the fog rolling in.
If you’re lucky enough to enjoy the coast on a sunny day, it’s a crime to leave before catching the sunset. A drink or dinner at River’s End is a special way to end a day with loved ones.
sonoma coast
A little farther east, Sebastopol is West Sonoma County’s creative, food-loving hub, with excellent restaurants, natural wine, farm stands, vintage shops, and plenty of places to poke around. It’s more polished than Guerneville, but still has that relaxed, slightly eccentric character that makes this part of Sonoma County so much fun.
For dinner, Ramen Gaijin is a local favorite for Japanese comfort food and handmade noodles, while Khom Loi serves some of the best Thai food in the area. Screamin’ Mimi’s is a must for ice cream, especially on a warm afternoon. Spend some time wandering the vintage and design shops, pick up something beautiful at a local farm stand, or explore The Barlow, a collection of shops, restaurants, makers, and tasting rooms housed in a former apple-processing complex. Sebastopol is an easy place to spend a few hours with no particular agenda.
sebastopol
Just 15 minutes down the road, Guerneville is the heart of the Russian River, with a mix of old-school haunts, good food and drinks, vintage shops, and an unmistakable “river rat” energy. Local character is here in spades.
For a classic local lunch, Pat’s International’s menu will surprise and delight you (Korean Fried-anything is a win in our books). El Barrio is a favorite for an evening cocktail, and Rainbow Cattle Company is where the best nights start and finish. For our favorite vintage clothing, spend some time browsing Sonoma Nesting Co.
If you’re curious about what’s happening locally, check out the events calendar at Solarpunk Farms, where there’s often something interesting going on. And for mornings when you’d rather keep things easy, Piknik makes excellent biscuits worth getting out of bed for.