For a small town with a population of 7,500, Sebastopol in Sonoma County has enough attractions to keep a visitor busy for a full day or a weekend trip. Expect to see vestiges of its hippie past and plenty of places that appeal to food and wine lovers.
Many begin at The Barlow, a 12-acre market district including agricultural buildings that were converted to shops and restaurants a decade ago.
There are places to sit in the shade and enjoy the scene. Kids can play in a grassy area strewn with giant toy pieces.
Look for bars and tasting rooms, such as Golden State Cider Taproom and Pax Wines. Or sit outside at Crooked Goat Brewing and listen to a band play the Grateful Dead’s “Casey Jones.” Think about the local connection: Guitarist Jerry Garcia went to high school here.
Over the years, The Barlow has grown and changed as retailers and restaurants come and go. It doesn’t have chain stores; its businesses sell local handmade crafts or organic products ranging from baby clothes to coffee.
The Barlow, at 6770 McKinley St., is an easy walk to Sebastopol’s downtown at Main Street and Highway 12.
Along the way, check out the Living Peace Wall, a monument of granite panels honoring famous peacemakers such as South African leader Nelson Mandela and singer Holly Near.
Main Street is filled with restaurants and shops, such as the metaphysical supply store Milk & Honey and the record store Spinning Threads.
Many of the businesses have whimsical sculptures created by local artist Patrick Amiot, whose sculptures made of recycled material are all over Sebastopol.
The best place to see Amiot’s art, which is painted by his wife Brigitte Laurent, is along residential Florence Avenue, a few blocks west of downtown. Stroll along the one-third mile stretch to see 32 sculptures outside the Amiot household and in neighbors’ yards. Look for the mad hatter, a frog, owls, a guitar player, crows seated at a bar (above a sign that says “crow bar”) and other creatures.
Amiot, 65, originally from Quebec, calls it urban folk art.
Amiot started placing sculptures in his yard in 2001, and over the years has given his neighbors his welded artwork.
“This is not a museum,” said Amiot, who likes the juxtaposition of a piece of art on an ordinary street: “All of a sudden it becomes a special street,” he adds.
While he’s not sure how many people come to look at the Florence Avenue art, he said he gives out 5,000 flyers annually.
For commissions, charges $3,500 for an average piece, with orders coming in from such diverse locales as Kentucky and Norway.
Mostly flat, Sebastopol is an easy place to ride a bicycle, which can be rented at Sebastopol Bike Center at 6731 Sebastopol Ave., across from The Barlow.
From the bike store, hop on the West County Regional Trail for a 5.5-mile ride to the next town of Forestville.
The trail goes along a mostly car-free paved rail line, passing by vineyards, scenic barns and Garcia’s old high school. More information on the West County trail is at sonomacounty.com.
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