Discover Amazing Art in Sonoma County: A 3-Day Itinerary

Sebastopol

Begin your artistic tour in the relaxed, artistic little town of Sebastopol, at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts. Serving the greater Bay Area, this vibrant regional art center has been the hub of art activities of all types since its founding in 1988.

Changing art exhibitions in three galleries feature work by local, regional, national, and international artists. The center also offers robust programs in performing, literary, and film arts, as well as classes for kids and adults. They provide information about other art-related activities in the area.

Next, take a walking tour of Main Street to see murals, interesting shops (herbs, rocks, one-of-a-kind jewelry, art supplies, bookstores), and art galleries. The Sebastopol Gallery features fine art and crafts by Sonoma County artists in a variety of media, including paintings, prints, ceramics, woodwork, glass, metal, and photography.

Be sure to admire the Coyote and the Sonoma Coast mural at the corner of Main and McKinley streets.

Now jump in your car to continue your art tour. Begin by driving west on Bodega Avenue (Highway 12), then turn right on Florence Avenue to see whimsical outdoor sculptures by husband-and-wife team Patrick Amiot and Brigitte Laurent. Their work can be seen throughout Sebastopol, but Florence Avenue is where numerous sculptures sprout in front yards up and down the street. Please drive carefully in this residential neighborhood.

Graton

Next stop is the artists’ enclave of Graton. Visit Graton Gallery, which features work by member and guest artists, all from California. Browse the antique stores in Graton, and have a snack at Willow Wood Market Café, which displays work by local artists.

For a bit of wine tasting, stop by the adjacent Bowman Cellars, where the tasting room lighting and decor are largely hand-crafted by the winemaker’s father. The nearby Dutton-Goldfield Winery always features an art exhibit.

For a great place to spend the night, a good central lodging choice is the Sebastopol Inn. Have dinner at one of the nearby restaurants, and if you’re up for some after-hours entertainment, check what’s happening at the Hopmonk Tavern, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, or Rialto Cinemas.

Sebastopol

Head to The Barlow, a 220,000-square-foot culinary and arts center where you can browse fascinating shops and admire the edible garden landscape.

Grab a bite and a caffeine lift at Taylor Lane Coffee. Find more options when you get to know The Barlow Culinary and Arts Center.

Santa Rosa

In Santa Rosa, you’ll find an eclectic mix of art experiences with museums, galleries, and outdoor sculptures. In the authentic and charming Historic Railroad Square, you can have lunch or stroll around the square, stopping in at boutiques, galleries, and antique shops.

Keep an eye out for statues of Peanuts comic strip characters. A bronze sculpture of Charlie Brown and Snoopy in Depot Park near the Santa Rosa Visitor Center/California Welcome Center, which is located in the old train depot. The depot was used in the filming of Alfred Hitchcock’s Shadow of a Doubt.

Walk or drive to the Museum of Sonoma County, which celebrates and interprets the region’s rich history, art, and culture with rotating exhibitions. The history displays are housed in a historic 1910 post office, the contemporary art exhibits are next door in a renovated warehouse, and the outdoor space includes an inviting sculpture garden.

Make a memorable stop at the Charles M. Schulz Museum. This museum and research center is dedicated to the life and work of the internationally famous artist Charles M. Schulz and is a highlight for Peanuts fans the world over.

Visit the SOFA Arts District, a vibrant artist’s community at the intersection of Sebastopol Avenue and South A Street. You’ll find cafes, bakeries, live theater, artists’ studios, and galleries, including the Santa Rosa Arts Center. Here you can also spot The Spinster Sisters restaurant, which displays quality art and prepares deliciously tasty food.

You can stay in the SOFA neighborhood at The Astro Motel, a 34-room retro-restyled motor lodge that caters to both bicyclists and folks seeking a cheerful, Midcentury-modern, urban oasis.

A few miles north, you’ll find the Vinarosa Resort & Spa, a luxury hotel that includes the legendary John Ash restaurant. The nearby Hilton Garden Inn – Sonoma County Airport offers comfortable, spacious guestrooms and an onsite restaurant serving casual, freshly prepared American cuisine. Or head a bit farther to the town of Windsor and check into the Hampton Inn & Suites – Windsor.

Healdsburg

Today, explore the riverside town of Healdsburg. Your art tour begins with a walk near the historic Healdsburg Plaza (which dates to 1857) along the Foss Creek Pathway Sculpture Trail. Follow this easy trail beside former railroad tracks to appreciate the 10 sculptures and seven art benches installed along the path.

In addition to outstanding eateries, this charming Sonoma County Wine Country town is home to a wealth of art galleries, many within walking distance of the Healdsburg Plaza. Start at Erickson Fine Art Gallery, which features paintings and sculptures by local and internationally known artists, with mobiles hanging from the two-story ceiling, and a sculpture garden.

Walk along Plaza Street to peruse chic stores and galleries on your way to the Healdsburg Center for the Arts. HCA hosts art exhibitions, classes, and arts events, including an annual Healdsburg Art Festival each fall.

On the east side of the Plaza is the Upstairs Art Gallery, owned and operated by local artists. Here you’ll find an impressive variety of affordable, original artworks in all mediums.

Gallery 300 presents traditional, modern, and functional art by local painters, a milner, and other artisans in an inviting, comfortable setting where you can view art and sometimes meet the makers.

Hammerfriar Gallery is dedicated to exhibiting contemporary art with vision and features works by established and emerging Bay Area conceptual artists working in various media, including performance and installation art.

In a genuine World War II Quonset hut, you’ll find the largest single-floor gallery in California. The 8,500-square-foot Paul Mahder Gallery represents contemporary artists from Northern California, throughout the United States, and worldwide.

Find more options, including how to stroll from art gallery to art gallery in Healdsburg.

The wonderful thing about taking an art tour in Sonoma County is that it can easily include the area’s plentiful outdoor activities, gourmet dining, wine/beer tasting, and live entertainment.

Check our Arts & Culture page for current shows, special events, and seasonal festivals. Remember to come back and do the tour again because the art shows always change.