Surrounded by apple orchards and vineyards, and only 15 miles from both the Pacific Ocean and the Russian River, the Western Sonoma County town of Sebastopol is chock-full of surprises. While you are thinking of moving here and looking for real estate in Sebastopol have fun driving around the hills of Sebastopol. The more you spend time here, the more you realize the place holds a diversity of attractions that are rare in such a small community. You can dine on a delicious down-home burger or house-made Boudin Blanc sausages or grilled salmon that came off the boat an hour or two ago. You can shop for cutting-edge art or rare antiques, or take in the unusual street art. Taste at local boutique wineries, where your pourer may be the winemaker. Pick your own apples or visit local farms. Take a cooking class or play a round of golf. Go hiking or biking.On your quest to Discover Sonoma County Living go see this funky neighborhood on Florence Ave Junk Statues their cute..take a tour. Some of the most imaginative sculpture you’ll ever see decorates the front yards of homes on Sebastopol’s three-block-long Florence Avenue. This great neighborhood is right in downtown so as your looking for real estate in Sebastopol make sure to drive through. Look for the statues around town too.
In 2015, Sebastopol was ranked ninth on our list of the 100 Best Small Towns in America. This year, the western Sonoma County town took several more steps forward, moving up to #3 on Livability’s list of 10 Best Small Towns 2016. The reasons why Sebastopol is such a great place to live are many, but the area’s natural beauty and rich agricultural heritage—Sebastopol was home to famed horticulturalist Luther Burbank, for one—are a big part of the equation. Combine that with the friendly small-town vibe, the exceptionally robust cultural opportunities, and the close proximity to one of the most vibrant cities in America (San Francisco), and you get a quality of life that is hard to beat.
1. Independent Stores
There aren’t many chain stores in Sebastopol, but there are an unusually large number of cool, independent specialty stores, many found at The Barlow, a unique culinary/arts center that attracts tourists and locals alike. Consider the furniture and kitchenware found at Sebastopol Kitchen & Table, the handcrafted housewares of Littlefour, and the handcrafted soaps and skin care products of the Soap Cauldron, to name a few.
2. One-of-a-Kind Restaurants
If you really appreciate food and drink, Sebastopol is the place for you. Zazu Kitchen & Farm is widely recognized thanks in part to appearances on the Food Network and the Travel Channel, but don’t forget about Peter Lowell’s, the Hole in the Wall Restaurant, for all the great vegan and vegetarian options. The Barlow great shopping!
3. Wineries, Craft Breweries and Micro-distilleries
There’s no shortage of wineries in and around Sebastopol. Discover your new favorite wines via the tours and tastings of Marimar Torres Estates, Kosta Browne Winery, River Road Vineyards, and many, many others. If craft brews or hard liquor is more to your liking, Sebastopol is home to Woodfour Brewing and Crooked Goat Brewing, as well as the Spirit Works Distillery.
4. Community, Farmers’ Markets
Meanwhile, it’s easy to get fresh-from-the-farm food in Sebastopol, thanks to the local Farmers’ Market and the iconic Andy’s Produce Market—the largest open-air fresh farm produce market in California. Another popular place to shop for food in Sebastopol (as well as nearby Santa Rosa) is the Community Market, “Sonoma County’s only worker-run, natural food store.”
5. Mild Climate
Of course, Sebastopol’s best attributes aren’t limited to food, arts and culture. The town, which has an abundance of wineries, offers a pleasingly mild climate year-round. With warm summer days and cool nights, the area is ideal for producing grapes. The average high in mid-summer is 82 degrees and the average low is 52 degrees. In mid-winter, temperatures tend to hover within a narrow range, with an average high of 50 degrees and a low of 40 degrees.
6. Healthy Living
Meanwhile, if healthy living is important to you, you’ll be in good company in Sebastopol, where maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a priority for most residents. Eighty-six percent of adults report leading an active lifestyle and 78 percent report maintaining a healthy weight. Residents also give local hospitals high marks.
