Guidebook for Graton
Food Scene
Alice Waters' former pastry chef, Lindsay Shere, started this bakery. Best bakery in Sonoma County. 25 minute drive from Casa Ramona.
Best bar - best drinks - great food. This is THE bar scene for West County. Old English pub design elements, outside patio with bocce ball. Can be noisy - be warned and expensive.
109 residents recomanen
Underwood Bar and Bistro
9113 Graton RdBest bar - best drinks - great food. This is THE bar scene for West County. Old English pub design elements, outside patio with bocce ball. Can be noisy - be warned and expensive.
Great food and atmosphere and outdoor back patio. Known for soft polenta dishes & daily specials. Very popular for breakfast, especially weekends.
90 residents recomanen
Willow Wood Market Cafe
9020 Graton RdGreat food and atmosphere and outdoor back patio. Known for soft polenta dishes & daily specials. Very popular for breakfast, especially weekends.
Sebastopol Cookie Company
168 N Main StBest cookies, still warm from the oven.
Small, intimate Asian fusion food. Always a treat! Reservations recommended.
78 residents recomanen
Terrapin Creek
1580 Eastshore RdSmall, intimate Asian fusion food. Always a treat! Reservations recommended.
Go here for coffee and their outrageous bread. If you're a maximalist, try the sticky bun bread. Fun setting and great store nearby, Enduring Comforts.
176 residents recomanen
Wild Flour Bread
140 Bohemian HwyGo here for coffee and their outrageous bread. If you're a maximalist, try the sticky bun bread. Fun setting and great store nearby, Enduring Comforts.
You have to go here and sit outside at the mouth of the Russian River and watch the seals and birds. It's authentic, unassuming and situated on a million dollar piece of real estate. Simple menu but not top rated food. Get coffee, chai or Thai iced tea and a baked good.
92 residents recomanen
Cafe Aquatica
10439 CA-1You have to go here and sit outside at the mouth of the Russian River and watch the seals and birds. It's authentic, unassuming and situated on a million dollar piece of real estate. Simple menu but not top rated food. Get coffee, chai or Thai iced tea and a baked good.
Oh so European and a great deal on really excellent food. Outside dining on the waterfront of Petaluma River. Ambitious menu with many choices. One of our favorites, especially for lunch.
23 residents recomanen
Water Street Bistro
100 Petaluma Blvd NOh so European and a great deal on really excellent food. Outside dining on the waterfront of Petaluma River. Ambitious menu with many choices. One of our favorites, especially for lunch.
For tapas, this is the best, and the setting in a charming bungalow with the option of an outside patio and bar (with heaters) is lovely. Full bar. Interesting wine list.
68 residents recomanen
Bravas Bar de Tapas
420 Center StFor tapas, this is the best, and the setting in a charming bungalow with the option of an outside patio and bar (with heaters) is lovely. Full bar. Interesting wine list.
OK, it's in a strip mall, but some of the best Asian food around. Try lettuce cups with shrimp, chicken, peanuts and spinach salad with shiitake mushrooms, fried tofu, pine nuts and ginger dressing and salt and Salt and Pepper Tofu.
16 residents recomanen
Goji Kitchen
1965 Mendocino AveOK, it's in a strip mall, but some of the best Asian food around. Try lettuce cups with shrimp, chicken, peanuts and spinach salad with shiitake mushrooms, fried tofu, pine nuts and ginger dressing and salt and Salt and Pepper Tofu.
Regional, upscale Italian food, full bar, storefront layout and back patio with outside bar and bocce ball court, great service. One of the best Margaritas and excellent salads. One of our favorite restaurants. Seating is New York style, as in close quarters.
60 residents recomanen
Campo Fina
330 Healdsburg AveRegional, upscale Italian food, full bar, storefront layout and back patio with outside bar and bocce ball court, great service. One of the best Margaritas and excellent salads. One of our favorite restaurants. Seating is New York style, as in close quarters.
Creekside dining in a quaint roadhouse with earthy food and a nice outdoor patio. Live music at times. Eclectic. Breakfast, lunch and some dinner nights.
47 residents recomanen
Fork Roadhouse
9890 Bodega HwyCreekside dining in a quaint roadhouse with earthy food and a nice outdoor patio. Live music at times. Eclectic. Breakfast, lunch and some dinner nights.
New, innovative take on Asian noodle bar. Extremely popular and usually crowded. They now take reservations.
68 residents recomanen
Ramen Gaijin
6948 Sebastopol AveNew, innovative take on Asian noodle bar. Extremely popular and usually crowded. They now take reservations.
Close to Casa Ramona on Highway 116 on the way to Forestville. Authentic French pastries, coffee and light lunch items. Hands down the best croissant outside of France.
30 residents recomanen
Pascaline Patisserie & Cafe
4552 Gravenstein Hwy NClose to Casa Ramona on Highway 116 on the way to Forestville. Authentic French pastries, coffee and light lunch items. Hands down the best croissant outside of France.
Screamin' Mimi's
6902 Sebastopol AveThe best local ice cream with interesting flavors.
Modest place with excellent, reasonably priced Indo-Nepalese and Tibetan cuisine. Very good Naan and the eggplant Baigan Bharta is a good choice. Good wines, friendly staff.
Namaste Kitchen
7225 Healdsburg AveModest place with excellent, reasonably priced Indo-Nepalese and Tibetan cuisine. Very good Naan and the eggplant Baigan Bharta is a good choice. Good wines, friendly staff.
Best outdoors on the patio because the bar can be very noisy and the formal dining room feels somewhat institutional, (though they have improved it by adding booths). Very good menu.
23 residents recomanen
Gravenstein Grill
8050 Bodega AveBest outdoors on the patio because the bar can be very noisy and the formal dining room feels somewhat institutional, (though they have improved it by adding booths). Very good menu.
Busy place with limited seating inside, so go on a nice day. Every kind of fish dish, with specials and a fish market. Seared Ahi Sandwich and chowders are delicious. Forget The Tides. This is the place. Go before noon for shorter lines.
62 residents recomanen
Fishetarian Fish Market
599 CA-1Busy place with limited seating inside, so go on a nice day. Every kind of fish dish, with specials and a fish market. Seared Ahi Sandwich and chowders are delicious. Forget The Tides. This is the place. Go before noon for shorter lines.
Full bar, live music, good happy hour prices, decent bar food. We like the Fish Tacos and the Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Combo. Great beer selections. Lively. Happy Hour is a deal.
122 residents recomanen
HopMonk Tavern Sebastopol
230 Petaluma AvenueFull bar, live music, good happy hour prices, decent bar food. We like the Fish Tacos and the Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Combo. Great beer selections. Lively. Happy Hour is a deal.
Located right on Bodega Bay. Wood-fired oven menu with great pizzas, crab cakes, salads. Very limited selection but all is good. Go early for lunch as it gets busy after noon. Call first because hours are confusing.
39 residents recomanen
Gourmet Au Bay
1412 Bay Flat RdLocated right on Bodega Bay. Wood-fired oven menu with great pizzas, crab cakes, salads. Very limited selection but all is good. Go early for lunch as it gets busy after noon. Call first because hours are confusing.
This is new on the scene, but so far it's a hit. Kosho has umami flavor covered with their unorthodox sushi and Japanese styled entrees and sides. Don't miss the Savory Japanese Pancake and try at least one of the rolls. Excellent!
6 residents recomanen
Sushi Kosho
6750 McKinley AveThis is new on the scene, but so far it's a hit. Kosho has umami flavor covered with their unorthodox sushi and Japanese styled entrees and sides. Don't miss the Savory Japanese Pancake and try at least one of the rolls. Excellent!
Downtown Bakery & Creamery
308 Center StArts & Culture
Locally owned artist cooperative. Good prices and variety of arts and crafts.
7 residents recomanen
Graton Gallery
9048 Graton RdLocally owned artist cooperative. Good prices and variety of arts and crafts.
High quality theater in a tiny venue with a wine tasting bar. Check website for current run. Usually Thurs. through Sunday.
7 residents recomanen
Main Stage West
104 N Main StHigh quality theater in a tiny venue with a wine tasting bar. Check website for current run. Usually Thurs. through Sunday.
Sebastopol Center for the Arts
282 S High StCall for exhibits (829-4797).
Occidental Center For the Arts
3850 Doris Murphy CtSmall gallery with a local art for sale.
You could spend several hours here. There are very nice walking paths, the ruins of WolfHouse and an interesting museum located in The House of Happy Walls, the home Charmain London built after Jack's death. Lots of local history here and tales of their world travels. Much of the park is set in oak woodland and there are remnants of the innovative farm that once thrived on the property.
201 residents recomanen
Parc Històric Estatal Jack London
2400 London Ranch RdYou could spend several hours here. There are very nice walking paths, the ruins of WolfHouse and an interesting museum located in The House of Happy Walls, the home Charmain London built after Jack's death. Lots of local history here and tales of their world travels. Much of the park is set in oak woodland and there are remnants of the innovative farm that once thrived on the property.
Shopping
Silk Moon Gallery
195 N Main StBeautiful and unique imported clothing, shoes and jewelry.
Independently owned bookstore with many special events. Also sells greeting cards, maps, magazines and games.
32 residents recomanen
Copperfield's Books
138 N Main StIndependently owned bookstore with many special events. Also sells greeting cards, maps, magazines and games.
Pine Grove General Store
149 N Main StBest local consignment shop.
Artisana
146 N Main StWonderful store for locally made unique gifts and treasures. Beautiful jewelry.
My favorite store. Eclectic mixture of antiques and new items in a tiny house in Freestone. Great hats, gifts and the most gracious owner, Thea Doty.
Enduring Comforts
142 Bohemian HwyMy favorite store. Eclectic mixture of antiques and new items in a tiny house in Freestone. Great hats, gifts and the most gracious owner, Thea Doty.
Milk & Honey
123 N Main StVery nice, reasonably priced jewelry and gifts.
Best local cheese selection, bulk olive oil, unique culinary gifts and gourmet snacks as well as crepes prepared on site in a charming old house in Freestone.
30 residents recomanen
Freestone Artisan Cheese
380 Bohemian HwyBest local cheese selection, bulk olive oil, unique culinary gifts and gourmet snacks as well as crepes prepared on site in a charming old house in Freestone.
If you want to support local artists and artisans, this is a good place to go. Nothing made in China!
8 residents recomanen
Made Local Marketplace
2421 Magowan DrIf you want to support local artists and artisans, this is a good place to go. Nothing made in China!
Kindred Fair Trade Handcrafts
8852 4th StFair trade shopping.
Essentials
Whole Foods Market
6910 McKinley StWhat's to say?
If you are allergic to Amazon/Whole Foods, try this local business that has an all-organic salad bar and lots of local products.
22 residents recomanen
Sebastopol Community Market
6762 Sebastopol AveIf you are allergic to Amazon/Whole Foods, try this local business that has an all-organic salad bar and lots of local products.
Sightseeing
Great starting place for exploring the laguna and there is a nice picnic place out front and access to hiking , birdwatching and kayaking. Art shows too.
Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation
900 Sanford RdGreat starting place for exploring the laguna and there is a nice picnic place out front and access to hiking , birdwatching and kayaking. Art shows too.
A must do for the full-on winery experience complete with movie memorabilia, Italian comfort food restaurant, stunning moonrise view to the east, swimming pool with private cabanas, full bar and a great gift store.
117 residents recomanen
Francis Ford Coppola Winery
300 Via ArchimedesA must do for the full-on winery experience complete with movie memorabilia, Italian comfort food restaurant, stunning moonrise view to the east, swimming pool with private cabanas, full bar and a great gift store.
If you haven't seen the redwoods, this is the place. Good picnic areas, lots of shade or take sunny hikes in the hills with vistas of west Sonoma County.
500 residents recomanen
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve Visitor Center
17000 Armstrong Woods RdIf you haven't seen the redwoods, this is the place. Good picnic areas, lots of shade or take sunny hikes in the hills with vistas of west Sonoma County.
Drinks & Nightlife
A beautiful drive up Westside or Eastside roads past Healdsburg and up West Dry Creek Rd. This place is stunning and they have bocce and excellent wines.
27 residents recomanen
Preston Farms & Winery
9282 W Dry Creek RdA beautiful drive up Westside or Eastside roads past Healdsburg and up West Dry Creek Rd. This place is stunning and they have bocce and excellent wines.
Lovely gardens and location. Known for their sparkling wines, which have been served at The White House (not the current one.) A bike ride or a nice trek from Casa Ramona. Take note - the minimal tasting room is outside.
89 residents recomanen
Iron Horse Vineyards
9786 Ross Station RdLovely gardens and location. Known for their sparkling wines, which have been served at The White House (not the current one.) A bike ride or a nice trek from Casa Ramona. Take note - the minimal tasting room is outside.
Locally produced sparkling wine and a good tour of the process. Their Naturel is organic and delish. Beautiful gardens.
137 residents recomanen
Korbel Winery
13250 River RdLocally produced sparkling wine and a good tour of the process. Their Naturel is organic and delish. Beautiful gardens.
Great beer and a homey atmosphere at this covered outdoor music venue in an industrial park near Petaluma.
140 residents recomanen
Lagunitas Brewing Company
1280 N McDowell BlvdGreat beer and a homey atmosphere at this covered outdoor music venue in an industrial park near Petaluma.
Lynmar Winery
3909 Frei RoadGood wines, gorgeous gardens and very close to Casa Ramona.
Great beer and a pizza truck on Wednesdays, Taco truck on Tuesdays. Outdoors scene, pretty much.
33 residents recomanen
HenHouse Brewing Company
322 Bellevue AveGreat beer and a pizza truck on Wednesdays, Taco truck on Tuesdays. Outdoors scene, pretty much.
Sbragia Family Vineyards
9990 Dry Creek RdThe view, the view, the view!
This bar is only recommended because it has one of the best views of the ocean and Bodega Harbor. The food is standard, overpriced bar food, and for drinks you may want to stick to the tried and trues. The decor and lighting is nothing to write about, but the view, especially around sunset is striking. There is live music on Thursdays, some of it quite good.
46 residents recomanen
Bluewater Bistro
21301 Heron DrThis bar is only recommended because it has one of the best views of the ocean and Bodega Harbor. The food is standard, overpriced bar food, and for drinks you may want to stick to the tried and trues. The decor and lighting is nothing to write about, but the view, especially around sunset is striking. There is live music on Thursdays, some of it quite good.
Good local wines. Try their various designated vineyard Pinot Noirs.
11 residents recomanen
Paul Mathew Co
9060 Graton RdGood local wines. Try their various designated vineyard Pinot Noirs.
New. Decent cocktails in a minimalist setting. Live jazz on Sunday evenings.
The Ruin Cocktail Bar (formerly Mothers Ruin)
116 S Main StNew. Decent cocktails in a minimalist setting. Live jazz on Sunday evenings.
Parks & Nature
Walk over the coastal hills from an inland valley and end up at the beach. Picnic opportunities, birdwatching, spectacular views. Willow Creek Rd. a good walk too.
27 residents recomanen
Pomo Canyon Trail
Pomo Canyon TrailWalk over the coastal hills from an inland valley and end up at the beach. Picnic opportunities, birdwatching, spectacular views. Willow Creek Rd. a good walk too.
Iconic view of the Pacific compete with jagged rocks and crashing waves at the mouth of the Russian River. Many accessible beaches to explore south of here on the way to Bodega Bay. Stay away from the surf because sleeper waves can kill you!
59 residents recomanen
Platja de Goat Rock - Parc Estatal de la Costa de Sonoma
Iconic view of the Pacific compete with jagged rocks and crashing waves at the mouth of the Russian River. Many accessible beaches to explore south of here on the way to Bodega Bay. Stay away from the surf because sleeper waves can kill you!
You can go to either side of the creek, north or south. Sometimes a sandbar closes off the creek and you can walk across it. South has a nice, long beach walk. Beware of "sleeper waves" and do not wade into coves because you can get trapped.
11 residents recomanen
Salmon Creek Beach station
3095 CA-1You can go to either side of the creek, north or south. Sometimes a sandbar closes off the creek and you can walk across it. South has a nice, long beach walk. Beware of "sleeper waves" and do not wade into coves because you can get trapped.
You have to pay a fee to park right at the beach but this beach is very nice, even in winter because it is south facing. Popular surf spot when the waves are good, nice long beach for walking.
48 residents recomanen
Doran Beach
201 Doran Beach RdYou have to pay a fee to park right at the beach but this beach is very nice, even in winter because it is south facing. Popular surf spot when the waves are good, nice long beach for walking.
Walk along the bluffs with a view of the wild Pacific and seabirds soaring overhead. On clear days you can see Point Reyes Peninsula and the mouth of Tomales Bay. It's rugged, wild and beautiful and there is a good trail.
72 residents recomanen
Bodega Head
Walk along the bluffs with a view of the wild Pacific and seabirds soaring overhead. On clear days you can see Point Reyes Peninsula and the mouth of Tomales Bay. It's rugged, wild and beautiful and there is a good trail.
Brand new hiking trails and a spectacular view. Allow a couple of hours here if the weather is good.
34 residents recomanen
Jenner Headlands Preserve
12001 CA-1Brand new hiking trails and a spectacular view. Allow a couple of hours here if the weather is good.
Kortum Trail
Kortum TrailWalk along the coastal bluffs on a good north-south trail.
Many hiking trails. You can drive or walk the lowest level and visit the old growth trees. Drive up to Bullfrog Pond (dragonfly watching), park and hike along ridges and into the shaded redwood groves in the valleys.
500 residents recomanen
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve Visitor Center
17000 Armstrong Woods RdMany hiking trails. You can drive or walk the lowest level and visit the old growth trees. Drive up to Bullfrog Pond (dragonfly watching), park and hike along ridges and into the shaded redwood groves in the valleys.
If you start at Shell Beach and cross Highway 1, there is a trail that will take you up to a beautiful view of the mouth of the Russian River, Jenner and Penny Island. Trail winds through wildflower covered hills in the spring and dips into mysterious redwood groves.
Red Hill Trail
Red Hill TrailIf you start at Shell Beach and cross Highway 1, there is a trail that will take you up to a beautiful view of the mouth of the Russian River, Jenner and Penny Island. Trail winds through wildflower covered hills in the spring and dips into mysterious redwood groves.