Tucked away in western Sonoma County, the tiny community of Occidental (pop. 1,115) packs a lot into its two-block long main street, home to galleries, gift shops, renowned dining establishments, and other local businesses. High-quality arts and cultural events are found at the Occidental Center for the Arts, while the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center promotes biological and cultural diversity.
As the midpoint on the exceptionally scenic 10-mile drive known as the Bohemian Highway, Occidental attracts cyclists and car clubs as the starting point for a number of beautiful and challenging routes between the redwoods and the coast. A favorite is to head west on picturesque Coleman Valley Road, which climbs over the ridge and then descends to Highway 1 along the coast.
North of town, the adventurous can fly through the tops of the redwoods via Sonoma Canopy Tour’s zip line experience.
Dining is a delight in Occidental. Founded as a railroad saloon and boarding house in 1879, the Union Hotel and Restaurant is now a lovely Italian cafe, bakery and pizzeria. Occidental's famous Negri's Italian Dinners & Joe's Bar, with its vintage trattoria ambience, has been serving Italian classics since 1943. And Mexican, French, and American cuisines are also served in local eateries.
Lodging is available in vacation rentals; the pet-friendly Occidental Lodge, with a pool and 27 rooms with queen- and king-size beds; and The Inn at Occidental, providing a luxury B&B experience.
Trip Ideas
On the map, Occidental may look like a mere blip on your vacation screen – a place to pass through on your way to other destinations. But in reality those quirky, small town sensibilities create the...
The two-lane roadway known as the Bohemian Highway winds across 10 miles of western Sonoma County, through towering redwoods, serene pastures, rocky ravines, and the tiny hamlets of Monte Rio...
Say "Occidental," and many locals think "Italian" for the long-standing restaurants that serve generously portioned, family-friendly dinners in this small town tucked away in Sonoma County's Russian...
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Jim & Michele Wimborough have been cooking in kitchens in the Bay Area (Zut on Fourth, Grand Café, and Boulevard to name a few) for the past 15 years. It has been their dream to find the perfect small…
Home of the famous Union Hotel Restaurant. Close proximity to the Bodega Bay & Russian River.Family Style DiningThe red and white checkered tablecloths of the Union Hotel’s Dining Room, with its walls…
Laurence Glass Works features fine art: almost all of it local, and quite a bit of it made by the store owner herself, Laurence.
Western Hills Garden is nestled among the towering redwoods in Occidental, California, near Bodega Bay and the wineries of the Russian River. The “landmark” garden has been extensively renovated.The…
This charming Mexican Cafe serves lunch & dinner to locals & tourists alike without direct competition. Located in the historic town of Occidental in Sonoma County's wine country.
Located in scenic downtown Occidental, California, the West County Herb Company is a comfortable, community-oriented shop featuring artisan herbal products and wares, locally grown and responsibly…
Inn at Occidental is not just another Sonoma County Wine Country bed and breakfast: secluded beneath towering redwoods in the charming village of Occidental, this bed and breakfast is centrally…
Neon Raspberry is an art space dedicated to perspective shift and social commentary, giving priority to work that takes on questions of the day. We offer unique reflections of human experience that…
Both spacious and cozy, this two-bedroom vacation rental at Inn at Occidental is the best of both worlds. Sonoma Cottage is private, yet still convenient to the inn, just 38 feet away. Offering guests…
Born out the love of small house concerts with traveling fine music and other artists, our series has endured three decades to become now a world class chamber music series for our whole community,…