Covered in picturesque apple orchards, plum trees and vineyards, Sebastopol is perfect for a laid back weekend away. Nestled in western Sonoma county, day-trippers will have plenty of gourmet restaurants, distilleries and cafes to peruse in this sleepy town in Wine Country. Here are some of our favorites.
Handline sets the bar for fast-casual dining in the Bay Area. With a charming garden out back, Handline serves coastal Californian cuisine including sustainable seafood (think California oysters and killer fish tacos) and L.A.-inspired burgers like the Inglewood burger, topped with with St. Jorge fonduta, Thousand Island dressing and spicy pickle relish. Local wines and national beer selections are thoughtfully curated, with rotating local cider options on draft.
While the term gaijin means foreigner, you'll definitely want to be on friendly terms with this Japanese restaurant. The bustling, lofty space is home to tasty izakaya fare, cozy ramen and an array of Japanese whisky highballs. Try the stellar tako (octopus) potato salad or hanetsuki-gyoza with wings (translation: juicy dumplings covered in a crispy layer of dough).
Lowell’s is the epitome of Sonoma goodness. Over 60 percent of the restaurant’s ingredients are grown on the idyllic family farm Two Belly Acres while meats and seafood are sourced from local partners. The seasonal dishes are offered alongside a list of organic, biodynamic wines. This winter we're loving the persimmon, goat cheese and Calabrian chile pizza.
Cider crawl
Like pretty much everywhere in Sonoma, Sebastopol is not lacking in excellent drink options. Sample dry, sparkling ciders (some made with local Gravenstein apples) at Horse & Plow. Taste cool-climate pinot noir and chardonnay wines at Freeman Winery, co-founded by celebrated female winemaker Akiko Freeman. Drink quirky beers like the blood orange IPA or nitro vanilla bean stout at Crooked Goat Brewing. Finally, sip quality wines like trousseau gris and grenache at Wind Gap's tasting room inside The Barlow complex.
Coffee break
Luckily, you won’t have to go too far to find good coffee. From Oakland pop-up to its permanent residence in Sonoma County, Retrograde Coffee Roasters is a local favorite. The retro cafe serves espresso drinks and a popular turmeric latte. Conveniently located in The Barlow, coffee pioneer Taylor Maid Farms Organic Coffee draws locals and day-trippers with its excellent selection of organic coffee blends and tea.