The charming community of Sebastopol is the center of Sonoma County’s apple industry, and is also a wine producing area. Many of the farms selling fresh produce are included in the Sonoma County Farm Trails Guide; a favorite of locals and tourists. Sebastopol is located at the western edge of the Santa Rosa Valley, about 56 miles north of San Francisco, at the crossroads of Highway 12 and Highway 116, also known as the Gravenstein Highway for the many apple orchards located here.

Sebastopol is an active community with a variety of interesting retail shops and restaurants, and is well known for its many antique shops. The town is small enough to have a distinct country feel, yet large enough to provide all the basics of everyday living. Quiet, intimate and friendly are words used to describe this lovely town which is surrounded by agricultural land. In the springtime, Sebastopol is flooded with the fragrance from thousands of acres of apple orchards which seem to bloom all at once.

There are three parks, five playgrounds, a public swimming pool, seniors center, five screen movie theater and golf course all located in town. In addition the Center for the Arts provides many activities for kids and adults, and the city has built a new downtown plaza with fountain, benches and a small pavilion. Sebastopol’s Ragle Park, which covers 225 acres, is home to the annual Gravenstein Apple Fair held in August, and a favorite spot for bicycling, horseback riding and picnics. Not to be outdone, Ives Memorial Park, with its duck pond, picnic areas, playground and public swimming, hosts the Apple Blossom Festival in April.

School rankings are generally in the top 20th percentile statewide. In 1993, voters approved a parcel tax to fund school programs, and Analy High School was selected as “distinguished” by the state in 1994. Gene Karas, of Analy High School, was selected the 1995 California Teacher of the Year in Industrial Technology for his classes which include robotics and rocket science.

The Russian River is a popular summer resort area. Nearby towns include Guerneville, along the Russian River, Forestville, Monte Rio (home of the Bohemian Grove), Duncans Mills and Cazadero. The coastal towns of Bodega Bay, Jenner and Sea Ranch are picturesque seaside communities with a distinct New England flavor.

This area has wineries, resorts, redwood forests, campgrounds and all manner of outdoor recreational activities. The Russian River is famous for canoeing, swimming, fishing, rafting and sunbathing, and has provided many families with wonderful memories of days spent together along its banks.

Highway 116 winds it way north from Sebastopol to Forestville and Guerneville, the gateway to 752-acre Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve with its majestic virgin redwood groves. Camping, hiking and horseback riding are also available in the park. The nearby Austin Creek State Recreation Area provides a 4,200-acre area of mountain and backcountry hiking. Redwood Lake Campground has primitive campsites and fishing. Local pack companies offer horseback trips into this rugged country.

Distance to San Francisco 58 miles

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