Shopping in Sonoma County

Whether you're looking for quaint or quirky, simple or sophisticated, Sonoma County's charming downtowns are chock full of locally owned boutiques. Shopping here is all about experiencing a locale.

Pick a place and be amazed at the galleries and boutiques that offer hand-crafted or unique items.

There's something so alluring about shopping on vacation: The thrill of the hunt for a bargain; the crafty little bag that's one of a kind; the watercolor that's so delightful it sang to you from the wall of the gallery.

While this is by no means a complete list, these locations will tempt you to explore.

Petaluma

Don't miss Petaluma's iron-front buildings, which earned the downtown district a place on the national historic register. This area boasts antiques, boutiques, and unique shops. Take a stroll along the Petaluma River and find a local café for a quick bite. Suggested stops:

• Think 'green' and buy antiques at the Vintage Bank Antiques. Three floors of treasures for every taste and budget. Located in the historic American Trust Company building.
• Check out the country's largest retail military shop at Military Antiques & Museum, with 4,000 square feet of retail space plus a 2,000 square foot museum housing the owners' personal collections. It's all in the basement: upstairs you'll find the Petaluma Collective, where more than 20 dealers present their wares.
• A bit north of downtown is Petaluma Village Premium Outlets, a must for the serious shopper looking for designer outlet stores like Tommy Hilfiger, Ann Taylor, BCBG Max Azria, and Nike.  Groups of 15 or more can book a tour and get a VIP coupon book upon arrival.

Sebastopol

You know you're in for a treat when you're greeted by a giant Holstein cow in the fields along Highway 12, as you drive into Sebastopol. This and other junk sculptures scattered around town are the work of artists Patrick Amiot and Brigitte Laurent. In fact, three-block-long Florence Avenue, where they live, has become an outdoor art gallery where you can walk from whimsical sculpture to whimsical sculpture.

Charming and walkable downtown Sebastopol offers an eclectic mix of unique shops featuring crafts, health food, clothing, books, house wares, New Age items, and toys, along with restaurants, pubs, and art galleries. 

About a half mile northeast of downtown Sebastopol, The Barlow is a 12.5-acre industrial park featuring restaurants, wineries, breweries, galleries, and unique shops. Many of these businesses make their products onsite, letting you watch the production process while you sip, nibble, or browse. 

Other suggested stops:

• You may want to create your own souvenir. Pick up supplies at Art & Soul. Better yet, sign up for a workshop. 
• Gallery 300 presents traditional, modern, and functional art by local painters, a milliner (hats), and other artisans in a casual setting that includes two on-premise studios. 
• California Carnivores is an extensive plant nursery that specializes in carnivorous plants, which lure, trap, and then devour insects. With more than 11,000 square feet of growing space, this place offers the largest carnivorous plant selection nationwide.

Bodega and Bodega Bay

• Buy a kite or surfing gear in Bodega and Bodega Bay. If your sweet tooth is hungry, some salt-water taffy may be just the thing. These two towns so inspired Alfred Hitchcock, he used them to film his masterpiece, 'The Birds.' Wine tasting and noshing on fresh seafood is on the menu here. 
• Is there a better combination? Candy & Kites, in Bodega Bay, is the largest selection of sport kites and single-line kites on the North Coast. The shop also sells flags, windsocks, toys, books, gourmet salt water taffy, and novelty candy. (Also in Bodega Bay, Second Wind offers kites, flags, windsocks, games, puzzles, and a large selection of salt water taffy and old-time candies.)

• The Artisan's Co-Op gallery, in Bodega, showcases local art and craft: water-color paintings, photography, apparel and accessories, fused glass, jewelry, hand-woven rugs, hand-spun yarn, greeting cards from local artists, and much more.

• Gourmet Au Bay serves up more than 200 award-winning California wines,  an international gift boutique that offers unique glassware and jewelry, and coastal cuisine from its wood-fired oven. Enjoy 'Wine Surfing' both indoors and outdoors at the Sonoma Coast's only waterfront wine tasting bar, bottle shop, and gift shop.

Duncans Mills

Duncans Mills is a shopper's delight, with a wonderful mix of stores and galleries, and several delicious eateries. Suggested stops:

• Pig Alley has delightful jewelry and gifts. The hardest thing will be deciding what pieces you want. Maybe you should pick two.

• Studio Nouveau offers the largest collection of liquid metal jewelry worldwide, as well as exotic chocolate and romantic home and personal accessories.

• Antiquarian presents an enchanting selection of fine antiques; this is also the home of Florabunda, offering cut flower, niche plants, and creative flower arranging services.

• Stop for coffee at Gold Coast Coffee and Bakery, where they roast their own beans and the wood-fired oven offers up pizzas and pastries.

Windsor

The most difficult thing about Windsor's Town Green and the greater downtown area is making a choice of where to eat and shop. From a bookstore, florist, and gift shop, to an amazing candy store and tantalizing restaurants, this small town lives big.

• You'll find a great piece of jewelry at Images, which offers one of the most diverse selections of handmade jewelry and accessories in the area.
• Pages Books on the Green: What would a vacation be without losing yourself in the pages of a book? You'll have a hard time just choosing one.
• Unleash your inner 8-year-old at Cravin's Candy Emporium. Think of your favorite candy from your childhood; it's almost guaranteed you'll find it here. For those wanting a cool treat, the gelato bar in the front is a good stop. And in the back watch the originalWilly Wonka and the Chocolate Factory movie on a continuous loop from the movie theater chairs installed in a corner.
• Spruce up your hotel room with a fresh bouquet from Atrellis Flower and Gift Shop, which features flowers, plants, and wine country gifts.

Santa Rosa

Historic Railroad Square is home to coffee shops, restaurants, antiques stores, and the former railroad depot, which is now the visitors center. And if all that shopping makes you tired, four hotels (AC Hotels by Marriott Santa Rosa, Courtyard by Marriott, Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country, and the historic boutique Hotel La Rose) are located here. Suggested stops in Railroad Square:

• Walk through the door into the bright and interesting shop that is Whistlestop Antiques. Find a wide variety of antiques and collectibles including furniture and country pieces, pottery, art, china and glassware, estate and costume jewelry, books, and more.

• Crafters will be in heaven at Cast Away Yarn Shop, which focuses on natural fiber yarns and fine quality materials for knitting, crochet, weaving, and more. This bright and airy story is filled with colors and textures.

• Japanese cabinets and storage chests are a specialty at Green Fish Trading, which has been importing quality Japanese antiques and collectibles to Sonoma County for more than 12 years.

• For a quick coffee, try out A'roma Roasters, the oldest roastery in Sonoma County. The staff cares about their products and customers.

• Head to Jackson's Bar & Oven for lunch. The team serves up "wine country eats" in a great atmosphere.

Another shopping hot spot in Santa Rosa is Montgomery Village, where you'll find upscale boutiques, restaurants, and cafes. Be sure to check out Sonoma Outfitters, Wine Country's leading outdoor equipment and clothing store for more than 30 years. It specializes in outdoor equipment, outdoor clothing, footwear, and travel accessories and gear.

Located slightly north and west of downtown proper, Coddingtown is easily accessed from Highway 101, and covers all your shopping bases, including a very popular Nordstrom's Rack and Macy's on one end and an extensive Whole Foods and JC Penny on the other with a midpoint anchor of Target. It's easy to make your way to your favorite shops and to enjoy some really excellent food at Sea Noodle Bar.

A cosmopolitan air radiates from the action around Courthouse Square – considered to be the heart of Santa Rosa. With all the hustle and bustle, it's definitely a happening spot in Santa Rosa, day or night. Make a weekend of it and stay over at the brand new, four-star boutique Hotel E. Suggested stops around Courthouse Square:

• Santa Rosa Plaza offers two stories of name-brand stores and restaurants. 

• The Made Local Marketplace gives artists and craftspeople a market to sell their wares. It's one way to ensure your Sonoma County trinket is from Sonoma County!

• Venture out into this busy downtown to try Sonoma County's second libation: Microbreweries. Russian River Brewing Company and Third Street Aleworks will tempt your taste buds with refreshing brews and tasty pub fare. Of note, Russian River Brewing's Pliny the Younger was voted the number one beer in the world by Beer Advocate magazine. 

• Sift Dessert Bar entered its team in Food Network's Cupcake Wars – and won. You won't be disappointed in any of their cupcakes.

While driving around Sonoma County, stop in one of several country stores. You'll discover locally made jams and sauces, wines from the immediate area, gift items and, even lunch at places like the Dry Creek General Store in the Dry Creek Valley.

Each town and area has its own unique character and collection of shops, restaurants, coffee shops, brew pubs, and wineries nearby. The difficult decision will be which one to visit first.