Staff were incredibly friendly!…read more The upper pond was lovely. Lots of spots to sit down. Perfect place to bring some snacks and hang out. The flowers were pretty. A lot of the trails were shaded!

The Sonoma Botanical garden was much bigger than I thought it would be. At 67 acres, I think it's…read morethe largest in the bay area, The garden felt more like an arboretum with trails and lots of trees rather than a stroll garden with flowers. The first time I went I didn't realize you could look at a map beforehand because it's not a simple find on their website but I suggest looking beforehand to see what it offers (plan your visit-visitor information-download map). The rose garden here was underwhelming. This one was quite small and didn't look like it was maintained. If you want to see roses I'd recommend the nearby Cornerstone gardens, which have a much better rose garden, and they don't charge an entrance fee. I loved the pond with the lily pads and the Asian garden with all the greenery and small bridges. I also loved how garden was right next to a vineyard. Sonoma is beautiful and warm and it's nice driving up the 12 looking at wineries and admiring the scenery.

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.

What a local gem! I…read moregrew up in Sonoma County and I was just about today years old when I discovered this spot. Louise Hallberg was the original matriarch who created this property and lived to be over 100! In her 60's she began to cultivate and grow this beautiful space. It's truly a labor of love that is still preserved today. Donation based, you can schedule a self guided tour to view the gardens. We scheduled online and brought a picnic which was a wonderful idea and perfectly lovely afternoon in the meadow. We didn't see a lot of butterflies but that's ok. The property is lovingly tended by many volunteers. Truly a hidden gem in West County.

Just off of the bike path and in Depot park, this quaint museum offers local history, rotating…read morehistorical exhibitions, and a side room completely dedicated to Sonoma railroad history. Books and postcards on Sonoma history are available for sale on premises. I've immensely enjoyed the exhibitions. (Especially the one on the history of the Springs) Highly recommend!

The Sonoma Depot Park Museum is a hidden gem. Despite its close proximity to the Plaza, with the…read moremission&the presidio, it's relatively uncrowded. It's open only from Friday to Sunday. The volunteer docents are very friendly, and there's plenty of history on railroads in Northern California, the Bear Flag Revolt, the local Miwok/Pomo Indians, and a current exhibit on the Sonoma Valley hot springs as a tourist attraction until Prohibition. The Depot Museum also has 3 dioramas with creepy mannequins depicting the Bear Flag Revolt, an 1860s schoolhouse, and a typical children's nursery from the Victorian era.They're not that different from the ones at the Sharpsteen Museum in Calistoga, or the Bl. Junipero Serra one at the nearby California Missions Museum behind Cline Cellars. The Depot Museum is a fascinating, fun little destination. Educational and interesting.

The Sonoma Valley Museum of Art has two fascinating exhibits- Mexican art books (with subjects like…read moreSor Juana Ines de la Cruz&Mayan mythology) and Jack London's photography. One gets the international scope of Jack London's travels- from the leper colony in Molokai to the ravages of the Russo-Japanese War, along with the devastation of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake (that awakened Jack&Charmian in their Glen Ellen home) They give tours, local schoolchildren contribute to the exhibits, they have a small research library- but it looks like the Museum Cafe has been replaced with a gift shop. It IS surprisingly good for a small museum. The $10 admission is worth it. Their gift shop had an amazing coffee table book about the visionary art of New Mexican artists. If you have challenges finding them, they're next to a frozen yogurt/boba spot. A peaceful, artist oasis off hectic Highway 12.

This museum offers a wide range of contemporary art show including, but not limited to, sustainable…read morefashion, traditional masters, different looks of religion and beliefs of the world, to intriguing and though provoking public art and educational programs.

Came to see what it was all about on their monthly volunteer day (1st Saturday of every month rain…read moreor shine) & let me tell you, this is seriously incredible! I got no work done the 1st half of the day because I couldn't stop looking at everything. It's like an Antique shop but everything works! I'm so used to seeing really cool old things but they don't work. Everything works! Then you walk the property & see the train (which works!) & Tractors, old cars, Concord Grape vines from the 30's, giant compressors... It's like Steve got real sized versions of all the toys he ever loved. Come by to see the place, stay to help out & make sure to check out the Upstairs of the barn where there is an old Chevy Truck (which Steve learned how to drive in & took his license test in).

This place is a true gem. This is the type of place that can only be found in an out of the way…read morelittle town in the middle of nowhere...and lucky for us, we have just such a back-woods hamlet in our beloved Penngrove. This "museum" has just about every type of motor/engine you can think of but unlike a good number of museums, most of the exhibits at this one are still in working order. From old tractors to working vintage printing presses to one of the actual engines from Howard Hughes' famous Spruce Goose. And get this...there is a mini train (but big enough to ride on) that runs around the property!!!! They usually have one or two days a year that they are open to the public so keep your ear to the railroad tracks because you won't want to miss it. Usually there is an open house during the summer sometime. Along with the Petaluma Military Museum (300 Petaluma Blvd N) this is one of my favorite places to spend an afternoon soaking up some of the marvels from our country's industrial past.

Came here for a Friday afternoon skate. It was $10 for 2 hours, and the skates were included…read more The ice was well maintained, and the bathrooms and locker/cubby area felt clean. I fell a couple of times (a little rusty!) and the employee was quick to come and ask me if I was okay and even helped me get up. I didn't have time to stop at the Snoopy Cafe, but it was packed full of families enjoying hot chocolate and little treats in between ice-skating.

Had the Snoopy hot chocolate and it was exactly what you want on a chilly day--like a warm hug in a…read morecup. Rich, comforting, and just the right amount of sweetness. The whipped cream on top adds a lovely, creamy texture that makes every sip even better. Simple, cozy, and absolutely satisfying!

The West County Museum is the little Museum that could!…read more Did you know that the building that currently houses the Hopmonk is the former Powerhouse building for the electric train that ran through Sebastopol? Did you know that Graton has been known by as many as 12 different names such as Peachtown and Hicksville but in 1906 it went by Gray's Town, after James H. Gray who helped its advancement. It was later shortened to Graton. I love this little spot in Sebastopol that showcases local West Sonoma County history. West County includes Sebastopol, Graton, Forestville, Occidental, Guerneville, Bodega Bay, Bodega, Jenner, Rio Nido, Valley Ford, Freestone, etc. This area has a history rich in farming and natural beauty. Exhibits at the museum change every few months and have included the history of apple production, the local cemeteries, local photographers and Luther Burbank. Ever wondered what Sebastopol looked like when the train went through town? Or what it was like to live on an apple farm as a 12 year old day laborer? Or what kind of curious tools were used in the picking and packing industry of days gone by? This is your spot. The train car behind the museum is filled with archived artifacts and photographs that are used to supplement the exhibits at the museum. Inside there are numerous local themed books for sale along with postcards, jewelery, etc. Photographs, maps, and drawings cover the walls. The building itself is the former train depot building, now on the National Register of Historic Places. This place is all volunteer run. All the docents are very friendly, knowledgeable and usually long time Sonoma County residents. Ask them anything! Watch for short hours. 1-4pm Thurs.-Sun. For more history go across the street to the post office. Check out the Works Progress Administration sponsored mural of Sebastopol life.

The prior review suspiciously looks like it came from a volunteer who worked there, since it was…read moretoo detailed for an outsider to know all this. They recently had an exhibit for a year about Hippies which was interesting, but there too long. Most exhibits are there for only 3 or 4 months. The museum is so small, that if you don't read every single thing, you can go through it in 15 minutes or less. That's all it takes. At least it's free, since it's definitely not worth paying for.

What a great place to go to if you're a fan of Halloween. Tickets were easy to buy online and You…read morecan choose to use ticket any of the nights that they are open. Wait time in line is surprisingly short, about ten minutes on a Saturday night. The staff do he's an amazing job crying the hell out of the guests. I was screaming my head off. Seriously thought I was going to lose my voice. But I didn't. My throat was a little sore though. A fun Halloween activity for adults and teens. Definitely not for kids or easily frightened individuals.

I had been to this haunted house years ago which I enjoyed and this past year brought a group of…read moreteens who had a good time! Definitely for us big kids, too! There was a decent line before it opened and I'd say it didn't move too quickly when it opened but it was still definitely worth the wait! There was some scary entertainment while we waited, too. I think they said you walk through 45 rooms! So, I think the price for tickets is worth it. I would recommend buying them in advance at Costco, they usually has them, save some bucks! I hope we can make here every year!