This Enchanting and Historic Town in Northern California Is the Perfect Day Trip Destination

We bet you haven’t heard much about Occidental, California, a tiny Sonoma County town. Located between Santa Rosa and Bodega Bay, this quaint and welcoming town makes for the perfect day trip. Occidental, CA is less than five square miles and is 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, CA 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, California 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. If you’re wondering about things to do in Occidental, 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 to 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. Built in 1876, the spire and bell tower were added the following year. After the 1906 earthquake, the tower and spire had to be replaced by a dome. After the church was constructed, the town’s founders built a post office, general store, and other buildings which are still standing today.

The old railroad stop is now Howard Station Cafe. Visitors can stop in the cafe for breakfast or lunch. Choose from their large menu of fresh and delicious food and drink options. Or just grab a to-go coffee while you meander around the town. Check the menu on the Howard Station Cafe website.

Wondering what to do in Occidental, CA? The Occidental Community Farmers Market! Launching each May, the market is usually one day a week — a fun afternoon and early evening activity. Vendors sell fresh produce, eggs, honey, prepared food, crafts, and more! Check out the opening schedule on its website.

If you decide to stay the night there are several historic and charming inns all within walking distance from Main Street. The Union Hotel which 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.

For an overnight getaway, book your stay at the Inn at Occidental on Hotels.com. 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, California 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!

If you ever wondered what to do in Occidental, CA, we hope this helped. So, are you ready to plan your perfect day trip here? Occidental, CA has all the charm, history, nature, dining, and shopping options you could ever hope for in a small town. Now, it's time to take a day trip here!

Looking for some great snacks for your adventure? We love these road trip snack ideas!