This Enchanting And Historic Town In Northern California Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination
We bet you haven’t heard much about this tiny Sonoma county town. Located between Santa Rosa and Bodega Bay, this quaint and welcoming town makes for the perfect day trip. Occidental is less than five square miles and surrounded by lush forests, wineries, and small farms. It makes for the perfect day trip adventure no matter the time of year.
The town was founded in 1876 as a stop on the North Pacific Coast Railroad.
After the railway was built, Occidental quickly became an important town for the timber industry. By 1877 there were six sawmills in the area. Trains also brought vacationers from San Francisco. Today, visitors can see numerous buildings from the 1800s.
Occidental has a population of less than 900 people.
The population of the town has been shrinking in recent years– there were 1,112 people in 2010 and 1,272 in 2000. This sleepy town still has plenty to do in a day.
When visiting Occidental, you’ll want to explore the small main street in the downtown area.
You’ll find shops, restaurants, cafes, and many picturesque buildings. Stop by the Boho Bungalow for a huge selection of home goods, bath products, decor, jewelry, and more! Check out Hinterland for a curated selection of hip clothing, shoes, and accessories.
There are many places to eat lunch– from sit down cafes, nice restaurants, and the famous Bohemian Market.
The market is a great place to buy snacks for your room if you’re staying overnight, or get a made-to-order sandwich if you don’t want to linger at a restaurant for lunch.
The oldest building in Occidental is the Occidental Community Church, a beautiful and historic landmark.
But in 2022, the market was every Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.-- a fun afternoon and early evening activity. Vendors sell fresh produce, eggs, honey, prepared food, crafts, and more!
If you decide to stay the night there are several historic and charming inns all within walking distance from Main Street. The Union Hotel, opened in 1879, is now an Italian restaurant.
The restaurant is owned by the same people who own the Occidental Guest House, a collection of several charming properties perfect for a romantic overnight visit.
The Inn at Occidental is just a short walk away from Main Street.
This 16-room inn has luxurious amenities such as Frette bath towels. Some of the rooms even have fireplaces. The inn is also next to a Tesla charging station.
Occidental is one of those places you visit and immediately wonder, “should I move here?” It is such a charming town! Plus, there is a lot to do. There are three wineries within the downtown area– a perfect number of places to do an afternoon of wine tasting.
If you want to venture out of town, more than a dozen wineries are within a 20-minute drive. To get a little nature into your shopping, wine tasting trip, drive 10 minutes west to see the old-growth redwoods at LandPaths Grove of Old Trees. And 20 minutes from Occidental is Bodega Bay. This place is really perfectly situated!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Occidental, CA, USA
Northern California In Your Inbox
Thank you! You'll receive your first newsletter soon!
