"I firmly believe, from what I have seen, that this is the chosen spot of all this earth as far as Nature is concerned." - Luther Burbank, world-famous horticulturist, speaking about Sebastopol, California.
Located about an hour north of San Francisco, near California's popular wine country, about 7,000 residents call this small city nestled between Bodega Bay and Santa Rosa home. Once a plum and apple growing region, wine grapes now reign supreme here. Despite the agricultural switch from orchards to vineyards, Sebastopol is still home to the annual Apple Blossom Festival and Gravenstein Apple Fair. No one is sure from where Sebastopol's name harkens. One story tells of a bar fight in the late 1850s, which was likened to the long siege of Sevastopol during the Crimean War. Must have been quite a brawl.
Generally speaking, people and grapes enjoy the same climate
"I firmly believe, from what I have seen, that this is the chosen spot of all this earth as far as Nature is concerned." - Luther Burbank, world-famous horticulturist, speaking about Sebastopol, California.
Located about an hour north of San Francisco, near California's popular wine country, about 7,000 residents call this small city nestled between Bodega Bay and Santa Rosa home. Once a plum and apple growing region, wine grapes now reign supreme here. Despite the agricultural switch from orchards to vineyards, Sebastopol is still home to the annual Apple Blossom Festival and Gravenstein Apple Fair. No one is sure from where Sebastopol's name harkens. One story tells of a bar fight in the late 1850s, which was likened to the long siege of Sevastopol during the Crimean War. Must have been quite a brawl.
Generally speaking, people and grapes enjoy the same climate. There's no bad time of year to move to Sebastopol. There may be some rain if you move in the winter, and summer days can be sunny and hot, but with no real storm season or snowy season, you can move here any time. Warmer months find more tourists coming to the general region to sample California's finest vintages, but they are mostly daytrippers unlikely to be in competition for rental space. You may face some tourist traffic along highways 101 and 12 which provide access to Sebastopol, but that's about the only thing to watch out for.To make yourself stand out among other renters angling to steal your dream digs, come prepared when searching for an apartment or house to rent in Sebastopol. You should allow about a month to find the perfect pad and you should have with you documents such as your proof of income, credit history, and the contact information for prior landlords who can vouch that you'll pay your bills on time and are generally neighborly.
One local told us that this town is so small neighborhoods are generally defined by what they are near (i.e.: "that neighborhood by the Safeway.") That said, here are some areas to check out, though we recommend spending a day or two driving and walking the whole area to find your favorite: Downtown: The historic core of Sebastopol is a great place to look for 1 bedroom apartments, or larger floor plans, along with smaller, older rental homes bursting with charm. You'll enjoy easy access to Highway 12 along with great restaurants like K&L Bistro and HopMonk Tavern. Swain Woods: Located south of downtown, this desirable neighborhood is a great place to look for a house to rent or condo rentals. You won't find many apartments here, however. It's a nice walk to Ives Park from this area, but a longer hike or short car ride to shops and retail. Ragle Ranch: Along the western edge of town, Ragle Ranch is largely residential with plenty of walkable fast food, but fewer choices in the way of local eats. Outdoor enthusiasts should put this area at the top of their list for its proximity to Ragle Ranch Regional Park, featuring miles of walking and hiking trails and wildlife watching along Atascadero Creek. Rental apts can be found here, but you're more likely to have luck with scoring a house to rent.
First inhabited by Coast Miwok and Pomo, Sebastopol formed in the 1850s and boomed with the Gold Rush that led so many to California in search of treasure. Gold wasn't going to pan out here, but apples did, and the Gravenstein apple industry brought economic growth to the region through the early 1900s. Most of the town - like most of the region - was reduced to rubble in the 1906 earthquake which hit neighboring Santa Rosa hardest (more so than even San Francisco, which gets all the earthquake cred). But don't worry, it's all been rebuilt since.
This town is quirky and fun -- that can't be denied. Exhibit A: they host a Ukulele Festival each year. Beyond the quirky, however, the everyday life here makes Sebastopol a worthy destination. Beyond the natural wonders of this area, illustrated in their apple fairs and miles of straight-lined vineyards, Sebastopol is making its name as an emerging arts community. Spaces like Aubergine, a vintage clothing store, cafe, and concert venue have become the place to be in this tiny town. The venue harkens back to the 1960s and 70s counterculture that took root here and has stayed put since. (Jerry Garcia? He's from Sebastopol.) Many Rivers Books and Tea and Rosemary's Garden herb shop are popular local stores that are born from this earthy, alternative culture. Also indicative of this vibe, the 20 or so pieces of outdoor sculpture lining Florence Avenue that repurpose found materials and turn a mostly residential area into a gallery. As you could probably guess, with all the wine produced here in the West County area of Sonoma and neighboring Napa Valley, there are a lot of people making food to match. Peter Lowell's Restaurant features organic, farm-to-fork Italian fare. Slice of Life pizza offers vegan, soy based pies. Eight Cuisine & Wine helps you put together the perfect pairing. Whatever your stomach might want, you'll be able to appease it without leaving town.Retail is mostly local here. You'll find chain grocery stores but not much in the way of big box retail. Fortunately, Santa Rosa is only a 15 minute or so drive east and offers whatever you can't find in Sebastopol. Twenty-five minutes in the other direction and you'll be at the famed Bodega Bay with some of California's most stunning coastal views.
