When the leaves change hues, it's time to dust off your pie recipes and find an idyllic, cozy town for autumnal inspiration. We suggest you put on your boots and pack your Pendleton blanket for Sebastopol, where the peaceful back roads are dotted with farm stands, handpainted signs for pancake breakfasts, and craggy apples trees bursting with fruit.
Plus, Sebastopol isn't the one-horse town she used to be. A recent influx of artisanal food and drink is bringing a dose of style and sophistication. Here's how to make the most of the season in this Sonoma County town.
PLAY
(via A Side of Sweet)
AN APPLE A DAY
Nothing feels more like fall than a day spent in the heritage apple orchards in and around Sebastopol. Wind your way up narrow Upp Rd. (just off Graton Rd. in Graton) to Walker Apples, where you'll wander pastoral orchards and sample rare apple varieties. Nearby, Gabriel Farm has a small, pick-em-yourself orchard, plus cider and brandy made from their fruit. // Walker Apples, 10955 Upp Rd (Graton), facebook.com/WalkerApples; Gabriel Farm, 3175 Sullivan Rd. (Sebastopol), gabrielfarm.com
(via Weekend Sol)
DECORATIVE GOURDS, MOFOS!
Muelrath Ranches is a bucolic pumpkin patch on the rural outskirts of town with homemade pickles at its organic farm stand, free hayrides around the serene property, and a spooktacular haunted house. // Muelrath Ranches, 3800 Walker Ave. (Santa Rosa), muelrathspumpkins.co
OGLE THE KOOKY ART
Local artists Patrick Amiot and Brigitte Laurent have transformed the residential downtown side street of Florence Avenue into an outdoor gallery for their cartoon-like junk art. Park the car and stroll the two-block stretch, pausing in front of the artists' home—we swear it could easily be mistaken for Pee-Wee's playhouse. // Florence Ave. between Wilton and Healdsburg Avenues (Sebastopol), patrickamiot.com
SHOP
ANTIQUING IS A MUST
In the neighboring half-block town of Graton, Mr. Ryder & Company is a pristine shop stocks covetable old objets in a historic former post office. // Mr. Ryder & Company, 9040 Graton Rd (Graton), mrryderantiques.com
Pop into Retrospect, a petite showroom for Mid-Century Modern goods and original art by proprietor Gregory Odle. We dig the custom clocks made from vintage jazz album covers. // Retrospect, 104 Petaluma Ave. (Sebastopol), 291-7058
Antique Society is basically vintage nirvana, with more than 125 antique vendors filling a hangar-like space. On a rainy day, the pitter-patter of drops against the corrugated tin roof makes this the coziest place in town. Bonus: There's also a petite cafe with homemade treats. // Antique Society, 2661 Gravenstein Hwy S (Sebastopol), antiquesociety.com
DRINK
GET YOUR CRAFT BEER FIX
Sebastopol has always had good wine, but it's quickly become a destination for craft cider, beer, and spirits as well. Case in point: Woodfour Brewing, in the town's new Barlow district, brews exceptional Belgian farmhouse saisons and barrel-aged sours. Pair flights with such beer-friendly dishes as deviled eggs, local cheeses, and charcuterie. // Woodfour Brewing, 6780 Depot St. (Sebastopol), woodfourbrewing.com
Cheers to Hopmonk Tavern for transforming an old railroad power station into an atmospheric taproom with 20 beers on tap. Out back, the sounds of clinking beer glasses fill a beautifully landscaped beer garden. // Hopmonk Tavern, 230 Petaluma Ave. (Sebastopol), hopmonk.com
Maple Frosted and Bacon Donut from Taylor Maid Farms
TAKE A COFFEE BREAK
The Barlow leapfrogged Sebastopol into the 21st century with contemporary boutiques, eateries, and craft drink producers housed in a series of renovated barns. Taylor Maid Farms is a third-wave coffeehouse that hails from San Rafael. Stop by and refuel in their fetching loft space. // Taylor Maid Farms, 6790 McKinley St. (Sebastopol) taylormaidfarms.com
STAY FOR HAPPY HOUR
With so much activity, you're probably ready for a drink (especially if you took the kiddos). Treat yourself to a glass at Red Car Wine Co., a modern tasting room with balanced wines and the allure of a chic hotel lobby.Browse the mini boutique as you taste pinots, chards, and a cult rosé. // Red Car Wine Co, 8400 Graton Rd, redcarwine.com
The handsome new tasting room of craft spirits producer Spirit Works Distillery offers nips of vodka, gin, sloe gin, and other barrel-aged counterparts. A pair of whiskeys debuts on November 1st. // Spirit Works Distillery, 6790 McKinley St #100 (Sebastopol), spiritworksdistillery.com
EAT
Kouign Amann at Pascaline in Sebastopol. (Heather Irwin)
SWEETS FOR YOUR PIEHOLE
A quintessential roadside stop where plump, buttery crusts burst with apples, berries, and other gooey fillings, Mom's Apple Pie is reason alone to get to Sebastopol stat. Choose your fancy and order it "a la mode," then enjoy your slice in the small cafe or on the trellised patio. Not a pie person? Okay, we don't know you, but here's something for you anyway: Next door, the contemporary new bakery Pascaline has kouign amanns and more French confections, both savory and sweet. //Mom's Apple Pie, 4550 Gravenstein Hwy N. (Sebastopol), momsapplepieusa.com; Pascaline, 4550 Gravenstein Hwy N, pascalinefinecatering.com
HAVE A SQUARE MEAL
A wonderful down-home spot serving killer breakfast and lunch (pork belly fried egg tacos!), the retro-tinged Fork Roadhouse has a lovely garden patio overlooking a creek. // Fork Roadhouse, 9890 Bodega Hwy. (Sebastopol), forkcatering.com
At brunch, lunch, and dinner, Zazu Kitchen + Farm dishes contemporary farm-to-table fare in an open-air dining room that extends to a see-and-be-seen patio strung with twinkling lights. // Zazu Kitchen + Farm, 6770 McKinley St #150 (Sebastopol), zazukitchen.com
Looking for something super chill? Underwood Bar & Bistro is a popular locals spot for cocktails and hearty comfort fare. Belly up to the front bar or check out the shaded back patio and a bocce ball court. // Underwood Bar & Bistro, 9113 Graton Rd (Graton), underwoodgraton.com
SOBER UP
A totally different kind of tasting bar, Beekind tempts with limitless samples of single-source honeys. Also shop for beekeeping supplies, candles, and apothecary products fashioned from beeswax. // Beekind, 921 Gravenstein Hwy S (Sebastopol), beekind.com
