Sebastopol California

Sebastopol California Information

Sonoma County's small city of Sebastopol sits on the western edge of the Santa Rosa plain. Incorporated in 1902, this town of about 8,000 is located 50 miles north of San Francisco and about 15 miles from the Russian River.

If you choose to make a stop in this close-knit town, you'll find that Sebastopol activities are aplenty. The arts play an important role in the life of Sebastopol residents, which is evident by the number of arts-related activities here. Visit the Sebastopol center for the Arts, a coalition of art, business and community members who provide art programs and services for all sectors of the community. There are several visual arts galleries for viewing wonderful works by local and regional artists, a performance series held in the city's Downtown Plaza, and a number of literary arts special events that take place all year long.

The Sonoma County Repertory Theater is known for its exceptional productions, including Shakespeare, theatrical classics, and new cutting-edge plays. Their Theater for Young Audiences is a delight for the little ones. Also check out the season at the nearby Main Street Theater.

Sebastopol's West County Museum focuses on west Sonoma County history including lots of information on the local apple industry. Opened in 1993, the museum's exhibits change 2 or 3 times per year.

For nature lovers, the Laguna de Santa Rosa Wetlands Preserve is a must-see. It's the second largest freshwater marsh in Northern California and is primarily a bird-watching area, though visitors will occasionally spot other wildlife. Though described primarily as a marsh, the wetlands also boast the characteristics of a stream, creek, seasonal wetland, open water and other aquatic habitats. A walking trail allows for self-guided exploring.

The 157 acres of Ragle Ranch Regional Park, site of the annual Gravenstein Apple Fair, provides walking trails, sports fields, a children's playground, and lots of room for picnics on one of Sonoma County's many sunny days.

Sebastopol lodging isn't as varied as in some of the other Sonoma County towns but visitors can choose from several pretty inns and B&Bs as well as a few chain motels. Sebastopol restaurants, on the other hand, are quite diverse and it's not difficult to find a yummy meal in this small town.

If you decide to hang around Sebastopol for a few days, perhaps you'll arrive during one of the town's many festivals. They include the annual Apple Blossom Festival and Parade in April, the Art at the Source Open Studio Tour, the Cajun Zydeco and Celtic Festivals in September, and the Barbara Bull Memorial, sponsored by the local historical society.

Sebastopol's first known inhabitants were the Miwok and Pomo Indians. The town, however, was actually formed in the 1850s as more and more settlers made Sebastopol their home after arriving in California to experience the Gold Rush days. Many decided to try their hand at farming and by the turn-of-the-century, the town was known for its prosperous apple industry.

Much of Sebastopol was destroyed in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake but the town quickly rebuilt. The apple industry declined in the mid 20th century and Sebastopol soon became more well-known as a desirable suburb of San Francisco and a wine-growing area rather than an apple-producing region, though the town still produces the majority of the world's supply of Gravenstein apples.