A West Sonoma Road Trip

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A West Sonoma Road Trip (cont.)

WEST SONOMA PHOTO GALLERY

Willow Wood Market Cafe in Graton, California

Eggs, spinach, pancetta, soft polenta, and Cambozola on toast at Willow Wood

Baked eggs with pesto and tomatoes at Willow Wood

Lox, cucumbers, and cream cheese on toast at Willow Wood

Iron Horse Vineyards CEO Joy Sterling and winemaker David Munksgard in the tasting area

The outdoor tasting area at Iron Horse Vineyards in Sebastopol, California

Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary in Freestone, California

A Japanese garden at Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary

The meditation area at Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary

Great loaves come from Wild Flour Bread in Freestone, California

A coffee break at My Friend Joe’s kiosk in Sebastopol, California

My Friend Joe serves coffee and kitsch

The tasting room at Lynmar Estate in Sebastopol, California

Corn soup and duck on toast at Lynmar Estate

Wine tasting at Lynmar can happen outdoors overlooking the gardens

Saint Rose in Sebastopol, California

The front room at Saint Rose, where movie nights happen

Roasted corn with nasturtium butter, chile, and lime at Saint Rose

Shrimp toast with avocado crema at Saint Rose

Braised pork shoulder with roasted fennel, hazelnut, and ratatouille at Saint Rose

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LODGING SUGGESTIONS

Here are two not-too-expensive places to stay in the area.

NEGRI’S OCCIDENTAL HOTEL

3610 Bohemian Highway, Occidental
877-867-6084

In the heart of the charming mountain town of Occidental, backed up against redwood forests, this 1950s-style motor inn gives you good bang for your buck. Considering the location, and the fact that you don’t have to stay two nights like at most bed-and-breakfasts and vacation rentals, the $84.95 price tag is a deal. (Note that that’s a winter rate; summer weekend rates are closer to $150.) The rooms are comfortable and clean, with a mini fridge and microwave, and there’s a swimming pool. Next door, owned by the same family, is the throwback Negri’s Original Italian Restaurant. What it lacks in quality it makes up for in quantity. On Saturday nights, there’s a rousing locals-only karaoke scene in the adjoining bar.

SEBASTOPOL COTTAGE RENTAL

888-596-6006

For just $100 to $125 a night depending on the season, you can rent a tastefully decorated studio apartment for two (the couch pulls out into a bed) close to Saint Rose on the outskirts of Sebastopol. The cottage is on the property of a horseback riding school and small farm, with a vegetable garden the owners will let you harvest from. Every morning, fresh eggs from the farm’s chickens are stocked in your fridge, along with fruit and rolls. There’s a hot tub on the deck overlooking a gorgeous valley with oak trees, and there’s a DVD player and video library.

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Lessley Anderson is senior editor at CHOW.