Food Scene
BRUNCH. PATIO. COFFEE. SCONE PLATE. Yes, we're shouting at you (with enthusiasm).
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Lowell's Restaurant
7385 Healdsburg AveBRUNCH. PATIO. COFFEE. SCONE PLATE. Yes, we're shouting at you (with enthusiasm).
Dinner among the Sebasty cool kids in a former Frosty Freeze. Sustainable seafood, burgers, awesome local wine and beer.
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Handline Coastal California
935 Gravenstein Ave. SouthDinner among the Sebasty cool kids in a former Frosty Freeze. Sustainable seafood, burgers, awesome local wine and beer.
The scene is very white dreads and hacky sacks, but the tacos (esp smoked pork) make the grade. Excellent lunch situation. They also do beers and Revive kombucha on tap.
15 abantu bendawo batusa
Papas and Pollo
915 Gravenstein AveThe scene is very white dreads and hacky sacks, but the tacos (esp smoked pork) make the grade. Excellent lunch situation. They also do beers and Revive kombucha on tap.
The only place that delivers pizza. (Okay, not the only place. But the best place.) Salads are solid too. NOTE: it takes a while. You're not in the city anymore, Toto!
Sal's Pizzeria
8270 Old Redwood HwyThe only place that delivers pizza. (Okay, not the only place. But the best place.) Salads are solid too. NOTE: it takes a while. You're not in the city anymore, Toto!
Lives up the name. Two Thai ladies whip up some pretty good stuff in a very tiny kitchen. There is seating (esp on the patio) but it's mostly a takeout place. Get the Tiny Rolls!
Tiny Thai
8238 Old Redwood HwyLives up the name. Two Thai ladies whip up some pretty good stuff in a very tiny kitchen. There is seating (esp on the patio) but it's mostly a takeout place. Get the Tiny Rolls!
We like the salads almost as much as the (many) beers and ciders. Also worth your taste buds: deviled eggs, cassoulet, lamb sandwich. Great patio.
25 abantu bendawo batusa
Woodfour Brewing Company
6780 Depot StWe like the salads almost as much as the (many) beers and ciders. Also worth your taste buds: deviled eggs, cassoulet, lamb sandwich. Great patio.
The best of the local coffee shops for laptopping, snacking and enjoying the scene.
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Taylor Lane Organic Coffee
6790 McKinley StThe best of the local coffee shops for laptopping, snacking and enjoying the scene.
The best of the local coffee shops for actual coffee. But not much place to linger.
Ninja Star Coffee Bar
The best of the local coffee shops for actual coffee. But not much place to linger.
Nice mixologized cocktails, and the food's pretty good too – if you like bacon. A wee bit pricey IMHO. Prefer Woodfour across the street.
27 abantu bendawo batusa
Zazu Kitchen + Farm
6770 McKinley StNice mixologized cocktails, and the food's pretty good too – if you like bacon. A wee bit pricey IMHO. Prefer Woodfour across the street.
When you need a really big margarita and a combo platter with rice and beans.
6 abantu bendawo batusa
El Coronel Mexican Restaurant
1015 Gravenstein Hwy SWhen you need a really big margarita and a combo platter with rice and beans.
Chips, salsa, bean dip. Repeat. Sit-down joint with interesting seafood options
11 abantu bendawo batusa
Martha's Old Mexico Restaurant
305 N Main StChips, salsa, bean dip. Repeat. Sit-down joint with interesting seafood options
FISH TACOS. Seriously, just get these fish tacos. A key stop on our Coastal Fat A$$ tour.
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Fishetarian Fish Market
599 CA-1FISH TACOS. Seriously, just get these fish tacos. A key stop on our Coastal Fat A$$ tour.
Everything here is soooooo good. Partial to the scones. They bake like seven flavors every day. NOTE: cash only. First stop on our Coastal Fat A$$ tour.
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Wild Flour Bread
140 Bohemian HwyEverything here is soooooo good. Partial to the scones. They bake like seven flavors every day. NOTE: cash only. First stop on our Coastal Fat A$$ tour.
Really good Cali-fresh diner kinda food. Eggs and bakeys and coffee on the patio is our fave time to go, but they do dinners too. And there's often live music. A first alternate on the Coastal Fat A$$ tour.
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Fork Roadhouse
9890 Bodega HwyReally good Cali-fresh diner kinda food. Eggs and bakeys and coffee on the patio is our fave time to go, but they do dinners too. And there's often live music. A first alternate on the Coastal Fat A$$ tour.
I actually mention this place to NOT recommend it. Lots of people say it's great but we think not so much. It'll do in a pinch?
11 abantu bendawo batusa
Himalayan Tandoori and Curry House
969 Gravenstein Hwy SI actually mention this place to NOT recommend it. Lots of people say it's great but we think not so much. It'll do in a pinch?
Best food in a 25-mile radius. In the tiny-cute town of Graton. Bocce. Perfect cocktails. Everything tastes so good. Last time we were there, a local fisherman came in and slapped a huge King salmon onto the bar, straight from his boat. TLDR: they care about food.
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Underwood Bar and Bistro
9113 Graton RdBest food in a 25-mile radius. In the tiny-cute town of Graton. Bocce. Perfect cocktails. Everything tastes so good. Last time we were there, a local fisherman came in and slapped a huge King salmon onto the bar, straight from his boat. TLDR: they care about food.
Breakfast! Lunch! A more casual alternative to Underwood across the street that we think is secretly owned by the same people. Or not so secretly. The smoked trout salad is the same on both menus.
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Willow Wood Market Cafe
9020 Graton RdBreakfast! Lunch! A more casual alternative to Underwood across the street that we think is secretly owned by the same people. Or not so secretly. The smoked trout salad is the same on both menus.
Not recommending this cafe, but rather, the weekly farmer's market. Held in the downtown square every Sunday from 10 - 1:30. Magical produce, great food stalls (esp the chefs who make the duck tacos), and even the occasional petting zoo. You will also get to see just how hippie our neighbors are. Expect patchouli, the odd juggler, a jam band, and/or hula hoopers. Bone broth and nut milks always on tap.
Plaza Cafe
150 Weeks WayNot recommending this cafe, but rather, the weekly farmer's market. Held in the downtown square every Sunday from 10 - 1:30. Magical produce, great food stalls (esp the chefs who make the duck tacos), and even the occasional petting zoo. You will also get to see just how hippie our neighbors are. Expect patchouli, the odd juggler, a jam band, and/or hula hoopers. Bone broth and nut milks always on tap.
Campo Fina
330 Healdsburg AveDeeelicious Italian food, pizza, cocktails and bocce.
What would we do without Peet's? Esp enjoy their new "warm breakfast".
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Peet's Coffee
88 Throckmorton AveWhat would we do without Peet's? Esp enjoy their new "warm breakfast".
Eat cheese, order cheese, buy cheese, see how cheese is made. If you leave without a wheel of Mt Tam, you've got serious will power.
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Cowgirl Creamery
80 4th StEat cheese, order cheese, buy cheese, see how cheese is made. If you leave without a wheel of Mt Tam, you've got serious will power.
Book a table in the tiny room at the end of their pier and fall in love with whoever is sitting across from you.
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Nick's Cove
23240 CA-1Book a table in the tiny room at the end of their pier and fall in love with whoever is sitting across from you.
This place is mobbed on most weekends, and for good reason. Wine, beer, the freshest possible oysters, and grills and picnic tables you can reserve for your own oyster BBQ.
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Hog Island Oyster Co
20215 Shoreline HwyThis place is mobbed on most weekends, and for good reason. Wine, beer, the freshest possible oysters, and grills and picnic tables you can reserve for your own oyster BBQ.
We've taken to calling this place Della Fat, because if you give into your impulse to eat there EVERY WEEKEND, that's how you'll end up. Amazing breads (esp the lemon rosemary), gorgeous desserts, and an incredible brunch/lunch menu. We are partial to Stacey's Salad and the piadinas.
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Della Fattoria Downtown Café
143 Petaluma Blvd NWe've taken to calling this place Della Fat, because if you give into your impulse to eat there EVERY WEEKEND, that's how you'll end up. Amazing breads (esp the lemon rosemary), gorgeous desserts, and an incredible brunch/lunch menu. We are partial to Stacey's Salad and the piadinas.
Do not be deterred by the terrible font on their sign. Go to this downtown ice cream shop on any hot summer evening, and you'll see half of town here. It's a screamin' multi-generational scene! And they make all their ice creams and cones by hand. Flavors change every week.
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Screamin' Mimi's
6902 Sebastopol AveDo not be deterred by the terrible font on their sign. Go to this downtown ice cream shop on any hot summer evening, and you'll see half of town here. It's a screamin' multi-generational scene! And they make all their ice creams and cones by hand. Flavors change every week.
A great lunch stop on your way to Iron Horse, if you haven't eaten yet. NOTE: Iron Horse does not allow picnicking, so make sure you gobble down before you get there.
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Pascaline Patisserie & Cafe
4552 Gravenstein Hwy NA great lunch stop on your way to Iron Horse, if you haven't eaten yet. NOTE: Iron Horse does not allow picnicking, so make sure you gobble down before you get there.
Drinks & Nightlife
BUBBLY. Great CA sparkling wine in the CA sunshine with a gorgeous vineyard view. We've basically made this our local bar. NOTE: you need a rezzie, but they'll often take you same-day.
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Iron Horse Vineyards
9786 Ross Station RdBUBBLY. Great CA sparkling wine in the CA sunshine with a gorgeous vineyard view. We've basically made this our local bar. NOTE: you need a rezzie, but they'll often take you same-day.
Cider and wine tasting. Really lovely patio and yard. We love their Hops & Honey Cider.
22 abantu bendawo batusa
Horse & Plow Tasting Room
1272 Gravenstein Hwy NCider and wine tasting. Really lovely patio and yard. We love their Hops & Honey Cider.
Really great patio with totally edible food and lots of beer on tap. Nice place to lose an afternoon. Also a music venue at night. Primus fans: Les Claypool lives in town and often pops up here.
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HopMonk Tavern Sebastopol
230 Petaluma AvenueReally great patio with totally edible food and lots of beer on tap. Nice place to lose an afternoon. Also a music venue at night. Primus fans: Les Claypool lives in town and often pops up here.
We assume that if you've planned a trip up here, you're probably interested in wine tasting and already have your spots in mind. So we're just going point out the key wine centers worth a visit. The downtown square in Sonoma is one of them.
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Sonoma
We assume that if you've planned a trip up here, you're probably interested in wine tasting and already have your spots in mind. So we're just going point out the key wine centers worth a visit. The downtown square in Sonoma is one of them.
Gorgeous views. Very cool spot that's cool with the cool kids. Reservations required. A must-stop if you're tasting in Sonoma.
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Scribe Winery
2100 Denmark StGorgeous views. Very cool spot that's cool with the cool kids. Reservations required. A must-stop if you're tasting in Sonoma.
If you like Pinot, you've probably already heard of Merry Edwards. Worth a visit.
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Merry Edwards Winery
2959 Gravenstein Hwy NIf you like Pinot, you've probably already heard of Merry Edwards. Worth a visit.
Our favorite downtown square in wine country. Lots of wineries and delicious victuals.
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Healdsburg
Our favorite downtown square in wine country. Lots of wineries and delicious victuals.
Shopping
The best antique mall I've ever been to. And I know from antique malls. Many of our favorite things in the house came from this place. Highly recommend!
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Antique Society
2661 Gravenstein Hwy SThe best antique mall I've ever been to. And I know from antique malls. Many of our favorite things in the house came from this place. Highly recommend!
Another great antique place right across the street from Antique Society. Might as well visit both while you're parked.
Food For Thought Antiques, Gifts & Garden
2701 Gravenstein Hwy SAnother great antique place right across the street from Antique Society. Might as well visit both while you're parked.
Smaller antique shop with a charming selection. I've scored smaller stuff here, like Mexican silver bracelets, art, pillows, glassware, antique toys, etc.
Mr. Ryder and Company
9040 Graton RdSmaller antique shop with a charming selection. I've scored smaller stuff here, like Mexican silver bracelets, art, pillows, glassware, antique toys, etc.
Cute little shop featuring lotions, potions, candles, wax, and candies among other things, all the products of those hardworking pollinators.
Beekind
921 Gravenstein Hwy SCute little shop featuring lotions, potions, candles, wax, and candies among other things, all the products of those hardworking pollinators.
If you're partial to bookstores, you will love this place. Robust selection, lots of pleasant space and time to browse, read staff recos, and remember what bookstores used to be. Excellent children's section!
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Copperfield's Books
138 N Main StIf you're partial to bookstores, you will love this place. Robust selection, lots of pleasant space and time to browse, read staff recos, and remember what bookstores used to be. Excellent children's section!
Artisana
146 N Main StArtisan jewelry and crafts. Some of it surprisingly modern. Many pretty, sparkly things.
A food scene like no other. There's a fermentation bar. Need we say more?
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Healdsburg Taproom
105A W North StA food scene like no other. There's a fermentation bar. Need we say more?
Such a cool spot for gardeners. Incredible selection of heirloom seeds for just about any produce you can imagine – in any color! NOTE: it's not open on Saturdays.
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Seed Bank
110 Petaluma Blvd NSuch a cool spot for gardeners. Incredible selection of heirloom seeds for just about any produce you can imagine – in any color! NOTE: it's not open on Saturdays.
Stunning antique mall. Too rich for my tastes, but I can't resist a look whenever I'm in Petaluma.
Sienna
119 Petaluma Blvd NStunning antique mall. Too rich for my tastes, but I can't resist a look whenever I'm in Petaluma.
A worthy stop on the antique tip. If you like the big mirror in the living room or the blue armoire in the bedroom, I got them both here.
Attico - A Consignment Furniture Store
6791 Sebastopol AveA worthy stop on the antique tip. If you like the big mirror in the living room or the blue armoire in the bedroom, I got them both here.
I lived in San Francisco for 18 years, and I never found a clothing boutique I like as much as this one. It's not cheap (at all), but they carry some awesome indie brands. I would dress like this every day if I could.
Tamarind
180 Morris StI lived in San Francisco for 18 years, and I never found a clothing boutique I like as much as this one. It's not cheap (at all), but they carry some awesome indie brands. I would dress like this every day if I could.
In all honesty, we used to call this place the saddest toy store in the world, because it didn't have any plastic, blinky lights or Barbies. But we've come to love the felted faeries, crystals, and hand-carved wood toys. A great place to make any kind of kiddo happy, especially those in the Waldorf discipline.
Circle of Hands
3850 Main StreetIn all honesty, we used to call this place the saddest toy store in the world, because it didn't have any plastic, blinky lights or Barbies. But we've come to love the felted faeries, crystals, and hand-carved wood toys. A great place to make any kind of kiddo happy, especially those in the Waldorf discipline.
A cool indie florist with no small amount of succulents and air plants.
California Sister Floral Design & Supply
6790 McKinley StA cool indie florist with no small amount of succulents and air plants.
Pretty cool kitchen and tablewares store. The metal tray in the secret bar is from here.
Barlow Supply Co.
6770 McKinley StPretty cool kitchen and tablewares store. The metal tray in the secret bar is from here.
Harmony Farm Supply & Nursery
3244 Gravenstein Hwy NReally excellent nursery, if you're into that sort of thing.
We love our local nursery! Many of the plants and herbs on our deck came from this place. Also a great rose selection.
Grow Gardens Nursery
1841 Gravenstein Hwy SWe love our local nursery! Many of the plants and herbs on our deck came from this place. Also a great rose selection.
Essentials
Our favorite of all the local grocery stores. Great local organic produce selection, all the foodie needs met, robust wine and beer and spirits section, meats/seafood on point, Oreos avail if you need 'em. Plus a good hot bar with bean & cheese burritos worthy of your consideration.
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Oliver's Market - Cotati
546 E Cotati AveOur favorite of all the local grocery stores. Great local organic produce selection, all the foodie needs met, robust wine and beer and spirits section, meats/seafood on point, Oreos avail if you need 'em. Plus a good hot bar with bean & cheese burritos worthy of your consideration.
Second favorite of all the grocery store options, in that you know exactly what to expect.
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Whole Foods Market
6910 McKinley StSecond favorite of all the grocery store options, in that you know exactly what to expect.
If you're in the Barlow, it's a good place to grab a thing or two. We buy their meat, provided by Victorian Farmstead. All organic, local, grass-fed happy cow/pig/poultry/lamb. Every once in awhile (I think on Fridays?) we've run into a big group of local musicians playing bluegrass near the deli counter. You can buy a beer or a sammie and listen. Pretty cool. Speaking of sammies, the French Maiden(?) is pretty delish.
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Sebastopol Community Market
6762 Sebastopol AveIf you're in the Barlow, it's a good place to grab a thing or two. We buy their meat, provided by Victorian Farmstead. All organic, local, grass-fed happy cow/pig/poultry/lamb. Every once in awhile (I think on Fridays?) we've run into a big group of local musicians playing bluegrass near the deli counter. You can buy a beer or a sammie and listen. Pretty cool. Speaking of sammies, the French Maiden(?) is pretty delish.
This place is cooler than it looks. A real, indie, old school grocers with a better-than-you'd expect selection. The kind of place where the checkers know everybody's name and the lady in front of you just might pay by check. Also the closest option to our house.
22 abantu bendawo batusa
Fircrest Markets Inc
998 Gravenstein Hwy SThis place is cooler than it looks. A real, indie, old school grocers with a better-than-you'd expect selection. The kind of place where the checkers know everybody's name and the lady in front of you just might pay by check. Also the closest option to our house.
Bill's Valero
3705 Gravenstein Hwy SSometimes you need milk. Or ice. Or ice cream.
Walgreens
7800 Old Redwood HwyThe closest drug store. There's also a CVS and a RiteAid in the other direction, downtown.
Sonoma West Medical Center
The closest emergency room
Entertainment & Activities
Such a great theater! Plays a good mix of blockbusters and indie flix. Eclectic snack options, too.
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Rialto Cinemas
6868 McKinley StSuch a great theater! Plays a good mix of blockbusters and indie flix. Eclectic snack options, too.
Parks & Nature
Such a beautiful beach, with great whale spotting from March to June. A great destination/excuse for taking our Coastal Fat A$$ tour. You can take a nice stroll to walk off your scones and fish tacos.
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Bodega Head
Such a beautiful beach, with great whale spotting from March to June. A great destination/excuse for taking our Coastal Fat A$$ tour. You can take a nice stroll to walk off your scones and fish tacos.
So this place says it's a nursery, but really it's a secret park with lots of secluded spots to daydream, including a huge lake in the middle of the grounds. (Yes, you can also buy plants. Azaleas mostly.) It's not far at all from our place and worth a gander if you like secret spots amid the nature.
Sonoma Horticultural Nursery
3970 Azalea LnSo this place says it's a nursery, but really it's a secret park with lots of secluded spots to daydream, including a huge lake in the middle of the grounds. (Yes, you can also buy plants. Azaleas mostly.) It's not far at all from our place and worth a gander if you like secret spots amid the nature.
If it's sunny, this is a delightful place to dip yourself in the Russian River. Beautiful slalom through the redwoods to get here, too.
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Isitsha sikaJohnson
16215 First StIf it's sunny, this is a delightful place to dip yourself in the Russian River. Beautiful slalom through the redwoods to get here, too.
If you're up for country drives, one option is to head for Tomales Bay. You'll Cowgirl Creamery, Nick's Cove, and Hog Island Oyster Co. here in Tomales/Marshall/Point Reyes Station as you head toward Point Reyes Seashore.
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Tomales Bay
If you're up for country drives, one option is to head for Tomales Bay. You'll Cowgirl Creamery, Nick's Cove, and Hog Island Oyster Co. here in Tomales/Marshall/Point Reyes Station as you head toward Point Reyes Seashore.
Point Reyes National Seashore
Beauty hiking, picnic-ing, marveling.
Sightseeing
Just one example of all the animals you can see all over the neighborhood. This is actually a schnauzer kennel and llama breeder! And it's less than a mile from our house. It's technically down a private lane, but we've walked down it a million times. And during the dead of summer, it's a PERFECT SPOT to pick wild blackberries.
Skansen Kennels
5179 Blank RoadJust one example of all the animals you can see all over the neighborhood. This is actually a schnauzer kennel and llama breeder! And it's less than a mile from our house. It's technically down a private lane, but we've walked down it a million times. And during the dead of summer, it's a PERFECT SPOT to pick wild blackberries.
Walk past the church and all the way to the end of this street, and you will run into Gallagher the ostrich. You will also run into goats, geese, and cows along the way. When you reach Gallagher, please keep a respectful distance. If you're lucky (and keep your distance) you might get a fan dance.
Hessel Avenue
Hessel AvenueWalk past the church and all the way to the end of this street, and you will run into Gallagher the ostrich. You will also run into goats, geese, and cows along the way. When you reach Gallagher, please keep a respectful distance. If you're lucky (and keep your distance) you might get a fan dance.