What a community treasure. First off, the grounds are gorgeous, totally lush with native plants and…read morewildflowers, and I went in July so it was pollinator heaven, you couldn't look anywhere without seeing blossoms just oozing pollen. I felt like I had stepped back in time to visit the original Secret Garden. The woman who met us near the apple orchard was charming and seemed to have an encyclopedic understanding of the life of insects and their relationships to plants. The grounds are old, which is a part of the magic- butterflies painted on old barns, rambling wild roses, passage ways flanked by goldenrod and seemingly ancient bay trees. I have never seen so many quails, hummingbirds and bees! Best of all, my daughter and I wanted to wander, we aren't necessarily tour types, and the docent seemed to get this right away. She just let us go do our thing. We are signing up for one of the Moth Nights, now that we know about it. I read other reviews about folks feeling disappointment in not seeing butterflies, and as a naturalist, I have to laugh. One, butterflies are like all of us, they have times that they are around and other times they are not. Some live locally, some just pass through. Depending on the time of day, where you are standing, etc, you may see a ton or none. Welcome to nature. As for people wanting posters- no thank you! So tacky. Buy a guide book, observe, schedule a tour. Personally I don't want this garden to have the feel of a museum, I want to wander, wonder, observe, and hopefully, leave with a feeling of curiosity that I can continue to explore.

I love Hallberg Butterfly Gardens (see previous review). But while they get five stars for concept…read moreand purpose - butterfly conservation and education - they get one star in execution. In all the times I've been here - and it's many over the years - I have never seen a single employee on the property. There is no one available to answer questions, tell you about butterflies, or even discuss events. We signed up for an event today, and there was not a single person on the property. We wandered around for an hour and found NO ONE. Oddly enough, you can't get in touch with them via phone, either, because no one ever answers. Try for yourself and see. There's no outgoing info when you call, and you cannot leave a message. Amazingly, there aren't even posters displaying the different types of butterflies you might see, or how to identify them. Given that this place focuses on butterfly education, you would think they would offer some education...? Moreover, the place is falling apart - it's run down with poor signage. There's also a massive amount of disorganization: we signed up for one event on 7/2, and got confirmation for an event that already happened weeks ago. There was no info contained in the email beyond the gate code and the time to show up. We didn't know if someone would be leading the event or if we would be meeting people there. (Answer: no and no.) Hiring a part-time assistant to organize public events that attract people here would be a worthwhile investment, one would think...? I am ALL about natural spaces and supporting science education, and have always supposed the Gardens -- but if this place wants to make money and keep fans, they need to prioritize, even minimally, the people and events that support their existence.

My girlfriend and I were lucky enough to stumble upon Sam's studio while we were in the area…read morechecking out some antique shops. Sam was gracious and engaging, I loved picking his brain about his work. His art is captivating and thought provoking - everywhere you look there's something new to discover. Go in with an open mind and prepare to go down the rabbit hole!

I stumbled upon the Rabbit Hole Art Gallery & Studio last weekend while visiting Sebastopol. I…read moredropped in and met with Sam and was amazed by his incredible artwork - it's really amazing how versatile and diverse his work is. He's truly a talented artist and the Rabbit Hole has a very open, welcoming feeling to it. Sam was there to answer any questions and shared the background on some of my favorite pieces. If you're in the area (or even if you're not), it's definitely worth a visit! I'll be a regular visitor and can't wait to see what Sam's up to next.

The Springs wONEder Project has transformed the otherwise dreary stretch of Highway 12 that is…read morenorth of the town of Sonoma. Plain Jane's is no longer plain. Armando's Auto makes a typical oil change look less typical. El Brinquito's piñata chicken statue is the true El Pollo Loco, adding color to the community. The Sonoma Salon&La Tienda Iniquez have become glorious, colorful works of art. La Michoacana, which once had a bland beige exterior, is now a fiesta for the eyes (along with the mouth) The Springs wONEder Project is the brain child of Sebastopol artist Rico Martin. He had long experience doing ad campaigns&rebranding with companies like HBO, Cinemax, the Discovery Channel, the AIDS Walk, and he helped make "the Springs" north of Sonoma into a vibrant area. Martin transformed this often bypassed stretch of road. Tragically, Martin passed away recently not far from Mt. Shasta- http://www.sonomanews.com/news/7258514-181/family-says-rico-martin-dies?artslide=0 One can only hope that the wONEder Project lives on, as vibrant as the brilliant buildings that have sprung up in the Springs.

The City of Sebastopol is a great place to visit for so many reasons. It has a small-town charm…read morewith an artsy and laid back vibe to it. The downtown area has artsy type stores and there is also the Florence Avenue Junk Art walk, which is an open-air gallery of sculptures that showcases the town's quirky, fun, and creative spirit. The downtown area is a fun place to walk around and explore all that it has in it. I personally love the restaurant Goldfinch and they are open for both lunch and dinner. There are lots of farm to table restaurants that are absolutely delicious! The city is known for their gravenstein apples and even have a fair every year. There is a decent amount of produce grown in Sebastopol and the surrounding areas so the food here is always fresh and there are also farmer's markets if you want fresh produce. A popular spot in Sebastopol is the Barlow, which is a 12 acre market full of local breweries, wine tasting rooms, restaurants, shops, and so much more! It's a fun place to walk around and explore. Region is a fun self-serve wine tasting room and you can sample local wines there. Sebastopol and other small towns surrounding it are known for their exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. You will find these wineries tucked away and are one of the many great things about Sebastopol.

Sebastopol is a sleepy little town in West Sonoma County. It's perfect for a weekend getaway, even…read moremore so on a weekday, when it isn't as touristy. Sebastopol has the flavor of a hippie haven- it's got a Grateful Dead memorabilia store, complete with Jerry Garcia's old fridge, since they vacationed there. Many Rivers Books&Tea is a combination teahouse/New Age bookstore. The original Copperfield's bookstore is in Sebastopol. It's such a unique place that in a strip mall, the vegan/vegetarian Slice of Life http://www.thesliceoflife.com/ right beside the vegan/vegetarian Infusions Teahouse/Sonoma Chocolatier http://www.infusionsteashop.com/ and both do a healthy business. California Carnivores specializes in carnivorous plants in a B horror movie atmosphere. An antique emporium shares space with a bakery. It's a City Different. Sebastopol got its name during the Crimean War- fitting, since the Russians settled at http://www.fortross.org from 1812 to 1841. One of the drawbacks of Sebastopol are its one-way streets, steep hills.. when driving there, it's important to be aware of one's surroundings. It takes skill in maneuvering. Sebastopol is a highlight in the Russian River area!

My first time to their location in Sebastopol. I typically go to the one in Healdsburg and enjoy…read morethat location quite a bit. I always come to listen to music- specifically jazz, which they feature quite a bit. The outdoor setting at this location is very nice. I could see it conducive for events or group reservations. I came with a friend to hear the music and there's plenty of seating. There's a huge redwood tree near the table which offers shade and there are also umbrellas in the sunnier locations. They were making pizza in their own pizza oven today- however for a 10 inch pizza I thought $22 was a little bit much. There are definitely a nice variety of Pinot's offered. However, I was in the mood for something chilled and I opted for their Rose of Pinot. I was pleased with the size of the pour but not sure I would order that variety again. I do appreciate that you can bring your own snacks there

All right, I'm a little obsessed with Furthermore Wines…read more Our group of 8 had an AMAZING experience here. Dave was our host, and he was so knowledgeable, so personable, and so fun. He took excellent care of us and truly spoiled our group at our tasting. We did a small tour on the grounds and learned a lot about their process and the pinot noir process in general. We all loved the wines so much that everyone bought at least 1 bottle, and two of us signed up for their wine club. In fact, we had such a good time, that our group came BACK to share a bottle of wine in between our reservations. Dave took care of us and we were happy to spend some more time with him. It is such a great place -- the wine is incredible, service is excellent, views are gorgeous, and you feel you are right where you belong. Cheers!

The pasta is sublime and the service is friendly. We just moved to Sebastopol from the foodie Bay…read moreArea and we are thrilled to have found Portico.

Small intimate restaurant is comfortable but make a reservation, it is quite small. Great service,…read morevery timely. He was there when needed otherwise invisible. Everyone at our table of four were pleased with their entrees. They have some very interesting gelatos for dessert. Do try the cardamom version!

Such a unique experience with warm, welcoming, cozy ambiance with something for everyone to offer…read more Staff are kind, friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable. I had the honor to speak with the owner as he shared about the chocolate that they craft and create so beautifully and naturally. He has a kind soul and was patient and informative. His joy and knowledge made this experience even much more exciting and enjoyable. So inspiring. We had the chance to try out the creative unique delightful chocolate such as the Black Forest cherry, ginger cardamom, honey saffron, and hazelnut elderflower. Thank you for being apart of the Sebastopol community and bringing delicious unique chocolate and tea and drinks experience. I can't wait to be back with my loved ones!

How does this store not have a five-star average review? The chocolate is amazing and the…read moreproprietors could not be more kind and friendly. This is an award-winning chocolate shop. Go out of your way to come here. The dining room is comfortable, clean, and definitely the place you want to hang out for a while.

The best hospitality I've seen so far. Great food and nice ambience. Ordered the meza platter and…read moreeven though I don't like eggplant, their eggplant in pomegranate molasses is to die for. Also melt in your mouth clafoutis

Folks. This place is a hidden gem when it comes to a family oriented dining experience with…read moreservice, and the food is simply amazing. Fresh, home grown ingredients, freshly made, in a quaint and relaxing atmosphere. Brian and Meek (spelled that wrong) have something very special here. The desserts were original, unique, and delightful! Vegan options make this place very versatile with no compromise on taste at all! We hosted a retirement party for girlfriend's mother and it's away from the hustle and bustle of the Barlow for a truly intimate experience. Thanks again to La Bodega and next time we'll come for their wine!

We highly recommend Canneti Roadhouse. Every dish we tried was super fresh, super well prepared,…read more and extremely delicious. We sampled multiple menu offerings, and were impressed by and enjoyed all of them. The staff and service were excellent. Warm, welcoming, friendly, and competent. Chef Francesco and Chef Ryan obviously know what they are doing, and they do it extremely well. If you want a great meal and a great experience, this is the place.

The 4 of us arrived at 6:20 on Saturday night. There were 4 guest at another table and perhaps that…read morewas a sign of things to come. Our waiter was quick to serve water and great us with menus. We ordered 2 romaine salads shared by 3 of us. 2 Cioppino's and 2 black Linguini's along with an order of Focaccia. I didn't have the salad, but my wife said it was fantastic. On the other hand her black linguini was not good. Presentation was on parchment paper with noddles and a pile of mussels and 2 clams. According to her it tasted the way it looked...boring and a bit bitter. My Cioppino's was wasn't much better though the fish sauce was pretty good, ever thing else was over cooked and again, only 2 clams. My bowel was only about three quarters full, and out guest bowl was almost over flowing. Worst part was that I only got 1 whole shrimp one shrimp head. On the plus side, the lemonade was actually fresh squeezed with just the correct amount of sugar...yeah. When we left there were only 4 more guest. All in all a very bad experience and expensive at $250.00 plus a generous tip of the wait staff. Hope they don't have to share it with the chef.

A friend had booked us a tasting experience at Halleck and its easily one of our top tasting…read moreexperiences yet! The property is beautiful with a nice little open area and views for days! Even the drive through the trees feels enchanted. David was the best. He took us on a journey and you could tell he knew his stuff. We also had a chance to meet one of the owners which was a nice bonus. The experience itself is intimate because you're with multiple people at your table but you get to experience it together. The food pairings were also delicious. Ok wine time. This was THE best Gewürztraminer I've ever had. Like, you could have a bottle of this easily on your own. We even took a few home to try with Indian food, and it was delicious. Another hit was their Zin which was interestingly like a strawberry rose but again, very easy and tasteful to drink. I cannot wait to go back because I need more of that Gewürztraminer!

Alison was amazing! She was so welcoming and explained all the wines so well. This was my first…read morewinery experience and it set the bar high for any future experience. Also loved that David made an appearance! You could really tell that they are passionate about what they do and it really elevated the experience!