Sebastopol
The town of Sebastopol is surrounded by farms and apple orchards, many with heritage apples. An agricultural area with family owned farms since the late 19th century, and the town is charming and low-key, where it feels like old-fashioned summers of years past.
Tip: On Spring and Fall Farm Trails events, we've visited some of the farms around Sebastopol – Redwood Hill Farm is a must, with adorable baby goats!
Downtown Sebastopol -
Farmers market – Year round, rain or shine, on Sunday morning stop into Sebastopol farmer's market. Delicious, locally grown fruits and vegetables, plus food vendors for snacks and lunch, listen to live music.Located in City Plaza, 10am - 1pm Sunday.
Copperfield's Books – Bookstore with large children's book section. Come in and browse any time, perfect place to come with the weather is gray or rainy.Luther Burbank Experiment Farm – In 1885, Luther Burbank bought land to try different plant experiments, e.g. cactus without spines. Wander through three acres of trees and flowers – the oldest tree, a hybrid black walnut tree is over 100 years old!August to October, on Saturday and Sunday 9am to 3pm, kids can see how apples are squished to make apple juice, and taste the (delicious result).
Bring a picnic lunch, picnic tables in the shade under lovely spreading trees.
Willard Libby Park – Park has a children's playground with slides, swings, climbing wall, pond and picnic tables.Hallberg Butterfly Gardens -
Lovely gardens, filled with plants and trees that attract both butterflies and caterpillars! Wander down paths where kids will see different kinds of butterflies such as California Buckeye, Pipervine Swallotail, White Cabbage, Monarch, Dogface (California state butterfly), Echo Blue.
To see the most caterpillars and butterflies, come in months of April – June. Picnic tables are available, bring lunch and cold drinks.
Parking is limited, so call in advance to make appointment to visit: 707.823.3420
Apple orchards - Sebastopol is noted for its apple orchards, especially Gravenstein apples.
Ratzlaff Ranch - In fall, this orchard has U-pick apples. When we visited, Rome beauty and Golden Delicious were ripe. Kids can grab a basket-shaped apple picker, head out to the orchard. Picking bags and boxes for picked apples are provided. Picnic tables in the shade. Ratzlaff is open daily, Sept. and Oct.Ratzlaff Ranch is located at 13128 Occidental Rd.
Walker Apples - To stock up on a wide variety of local apples, stop by this stand, sample apples and then buy your favorites. Open daily, August to December.Walker Apples 10955 Upp Rd (country dirt road).
More apple orchards - o find about more seasonal apple orchards, check out the Apple Trail on Sonoma County Farm Trails.Gravenstein Apple Fair -
Every August, families flock to this popular apple fair, celebrating the heirloom Gravenstein apple and farm life (many farms in the area are family owned).
On our blog, read about this seasonal event: "Gravenstein Apple Fair"
Kids can try apple fritters, apple pie, apple pie ice cream, fresh-pressed apple juice, pet farm animals such as dairy cows, mini horses, pygmy goats and pigs, run around a hay maze, and climb on tractors.
Ragle Ranch Regional Park (Ragle Rd) - This is a charming park, with lots of shady oak trees, picnic tables, and a large playground with swings and climbing structures.
Fun food
Screamin' Mimi's ice cream – On a hot summer day, it's hard to choose from so many different flavors of handmade ice cream, and not just cones, but also sundaes, milkshakes, and ice cream sandwiches!
The Barlow District – Looking for family friendly food options, join local families and kids enjoying this outdoor market area – bakery, ice cream, tacos, sushi, sandwiches, salads, pizza, and more.
