Occidental is a community of 1,100 people (2010) on the North Coast in the San Francisco Bay Area of California in Sonoma County.
Just to the south of Occidental is the village of Freestone (a total of 26 homes, widely scattered); attractions in Freestone are also listed below.
Get in
Sonoma County Transit provides bus service to Occidental on its Route 28.
See
Do
- St Dorothy's Rest, 160 St Dorothy Ave, Camp Meeker, 38.428705°, -122.965368°, +1 707-874-3319. Retreat 2017-09-30
- Sonoma Canopy Tours, 6250 Bohemian Highway, info@sonomacanopytours.com. A very different way to see a redwood forest - two different courses, each taking 2½ hours, which include multiple zip lines, sky bridges, a majestic spiral staircase, and a rappel to the forest floor. Open year-round. $99 and $119 for the two tours 2019-09-23
- Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary, 209 Bohemian Hwy, Freestone, +1 707 823-8231. On a five-acre site adjacent to Salmon Creek, you'll find a traditional Japanese Tea Garden, a Zen Garden, private pagodas, a tree-shaded group picnic area, and the main buildings for cedar enzyme baths, massage and body treatments, formal classes, and individual meditation. 2020-04-27
Eat
- Barley and Hops Tavern, 3688 Bohemian Highway, +1 707-874-9037. M-Th 4-9:30PM, F 4-10PM, Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 11AM-9:30PM. 100% From scratch pub grub under $15 and more than 50 craft beers from around the world in a cozy Victorian home, nestled in downtown Occidental.
- Howard Station Cafe (Howard's), 3611 Main St, +1 707-874-2839. A West County classic, owned by one of the three major Italian families of Occidental. Howard's is the best place for breakfast, with fresh juices, smoothies and specials. Try the Corn-meal Pancakes and watch the locals come in and out. On a sunny weekend morning don't be surprised to see large groups of cyclist eating before or after a long, hard ride on the ridge line.
- Wild Flour Bread, 140 Bohemian Hwy, Freestone, +1 707-874-2938. F-M 8AM-6:30PM. Brick-oven-baked sourdough breads, scones, and biscotti, and coffee drinks. It's almost always busy, but the line moves quickly (phone orders are not accepted). And if you have a few extra minutes, check out the beautiful garden just off the parking lot. 2019-09-23
- Freestone Artisan Cheese, 380 Bohemian Highway, Freestone (0.2 miles west of Wild Flour Bread), +1 707-874-1030. F-M 8AM-6:30PM. Not just cheese, but the makings of a picnic basket, plus coffee and crepes and galettes, plus wine for sale 2019-09-23
Drink
- Bohème Wines Cellar Door, 3625 Main Street, +1 707-874-3218. Th-F noon-6PM, Sa Su noon-5PM. Small-production pinot noirs and chardonnays, vineyard-designated; private tasting and vineyard tour by appointment 2022-04-29
Sleep
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