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
Tucked away in western Sonoma County, the tiny community of Occidental was founded in 1876 as the last stop on the North Pacific Coast Railroad, and it soon became a popular vacation destination. In...
Unfurling across 10 miles of western Sonoma County, the two-lane Bohemian Highway wends through the tiny hamlets of Monte Rio, Occidental, and Freestone, passing towering redwoods, serene pastures...
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...
Find Things to Do in Occidental
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The Occidental Arts & Ecology Center (OAEC) is an 80-acre research, demonstration, advocacy and organizing center in Sonoma County, California that develops strategies for regional-scale community…
Weddings and Receptions are magical events here at Inn at Occidental. You may choose to hold your ceremony right here at the inn in our lush garden courtyard with fountain, or perhaps you would like…
Weekly farmers market every Friday from mid-May through the end of October, 4pm until dusk in downtown Occidental.
Established in 2012, Boho Bungalow is a home and gift boutique that sits in the heart of picturesque downtown Occidental on the Bohemian Highway. The historic town attracts visitors from the greater…
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…
St Philip the Apostle church is a Roman Catholic church located in Occidental, California. In the late 1800s the Catholic population of the Occidental area was served by the Church of the Assumption…
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…
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…
Welcome to Negri’s Original Italian Restaurant where you’ll enjoy authentic Italian recipes passed down through four generations of our family for you and your family to enjoy. Here at Negri's, we…
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,…