The Bohemian Connection of the Bohemian Highway
Freestone Occidental Monte Rio


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The Bohemian Highway is one of the most scenic drives to be found anywhere in California. This special 10 mile roadway winds through towering redwoods, gorgeous pastures, rocky ravines, and three charming townships forgotten by time: Freestone, Occidental and Monte Rio. Explore all there is to do along Sonoma's Bohemian Highway using the Bohemian Connection's navigation along the left. Below are the Bohemian Highway top picks for 2008:





Osmosis is the perfect getaway for tranquility and renewal. There is nothing quite like being warmed to the core in the cedar enzyme bath while gazing out over the stunning hills of Western Sonoma County. This rejuvenating heat treatment from Japan will leave you supple, relaxed and perfectly poised to savor a world-class 75-minute massage. You may elect to have your massage in the privacy of an enchanting creek-side pagoda that resembles a Japanese teahouse or enjoy an organic aromatherapy facial that will cast a radiant glow on your skin and spirit. No visit to Osmosis is complete without lingering afterwards in the Kyoto style meditation garden, where time stands still and a feeling of peacefulness fills your being. Osmosis is one of the most celebrated day spas in the country located on 5 secluded acres in the coastal hills of Sonoma wine country just 60 miles north of San Francisco. Nearby you will find many fine inns, B&B's and restaurants. The spectacular Sonoma Coast and redwood forests are just minutes away. Osmosis has been providing exceptional spa services since 1985. Convenient on line booking or call (707) 823-8231 www.osmosis.com




The Rio Villa is a quiet place on a bend in the Russian River. Just 10 miles from the Sonoma Coast, this quaint resort offers a variety of accommodations for couples, families and individuals traveling for relaxation, or on business. The grounds are meticulously manicured and aglow with the color of flowers and the aroma of herbs. What's more... although surrounded by majestic redwoods, the Rio Villa is the only resort along the Russian River totally bathed in sunshine and with a private beach. A unique spot on a beautiful river. www.riovilla.com



Without a doubt, Sophie's Cellars has become a destination for wine connoisseurs and interested wine tourists alike. The huge selection of limited production artisan wines is unmatched in Sonoma County. Sophie's Cellars specializes in Pinot Noir, and carries more than eighty of this versatile varietal. John Haggard, Sophie's Cellars' wine expert, spends each Wednesday in the vineyards meeting with winemakers and is delighted to help visitors plan the perfect wine tour through the backroads of Sonoma. With a collection of the finest local and imported cheeses, fresh baked breads, pies and chocolate truffles, Sophie's Cellars is the perfect place to pick up your picnic. SophiesCellars.com has also become the number one destination for Sonoma Wine online, though if you're in the Russian River, be sure to visit one of the area's most comprehensive and friendly wine stores. www.sophiescellars.com



The Village Inn is a comfortable, casual inn located on the Russian River. They have 10 guest rooms, most with private balconies or decks overlooking the Russian River. They have have ample space on its lawn and terrace overlooking the Russian River for all guests to enjoy. They offer complimentary continental breakfast each morning for all their guests. Their restaurant offers classic American cuisine, a full bar and award winning wine list. The Village Inn offers unsurpassed views of the Russian River and mountains from all public areas and most of the guest rooms. Whether getting away for a quick day trip, a long weekend or an extended vacation, the Village Inn is a special place to rest your head, enjoy a good meal and just relax amongst the abundant year-round foliage, river wildlife and serene setting. www.villageinn-ca.com




Bistro des Copains is a destination to enjoy the food of Provence created from the abundance of fresh, seasonal, and local Sonoma ingredients. In the summer, the dishes are evidence of the wide variety of fresh foods found in the local farmers markets. Fruits and vegetables, flowers, spices and herbs, olives, honey, and cheese abound. In winter the dishes, while still varied, are heartwarming and robust to ward off the cold winds of the Mistral. But no matter the season, cuisine Provencal delights the palate and satisfies the soul. Only the wine, an array of local whites, reds, and rosés, rivals the food in tempting the taste buds.
"...makes[s] you feel like you just 'popped your head into the South of France'." The Zagat Review. www.bistrodescopains.com



Hand Goods was established in 1970 as a small outlet for local artisans. Over the years the shop has represented hundreds of talented painters, jewelers, furniture makers, sculptors, potters, photographers, knitters, designers and just about every kind of artist and every sort of medium there is. Today they continue to feature fine arts and crafts made by over 200 local Sonoma County artists and craftspeople. From fine hand cast jewelry to dramatic raku and pit-fired ceramics, from whimsical blown glass ornaments to local handspun wool, Hand Goods delights it's visitors with an exceptional collection of handmade gifts. Hand Goods offers a large assortment of Zapotec rugs and numerous fair trade and fine handcrafted items from around the world. Hand-carved masks from Nepal, sterling silver, jade and amber jewelry from the orient, Peruvian sculpture, Vietnamese handcrafts and much more add to the stores locally made arts and crafts. Plus, there is an excellent selection of cards, books, journals and award winning novels. Visitors appreciate and enjoy the variety, the quality and their constantly transforming inventory. Open Everyday from 10-6. 3627 Main Street, Occidental. (707) 874-2161



Howard Station in Occidental is located in a historic Victorian building on the south end of town. They specialize in breakfast and lunch, with a health conscious flare as well as provide sumptuous classics like eggs benedict and homemade corn beef hash. Howard Station Cafe has something for everyone, whether it's vegan muffins made daily, fresh smoothies, juices or lattes, to burgers pilled high with bacon, sauteed mushrooms and onions. They serve every day from 7 am to 2:30pm, and until 3pm on Saturday and Sunday.



Secluded beneath towering redwoods in the charming hamlet of Occidental, the Inn at Occidental is centrally located to the spectacular vineyards and orchards of Sonoma wine country, the stunning beaches and cliffs of the Pacific Coast, and the delightful, meandering Russian River. Each of the 18 guest rooms is distinctly decorated. There is also a private, two bed room vacation cottage. Select the the accommodation that sparks your imagination and discover a treasure trove of heirlooms, whimsical folk art and rare, antique shop finds. Start your morning with a mouthwatering breakfast, beautifully prepared and presented. Some other amenities offered by the Inn are personalized dining and tour recommendations, complimentary evening wine/hors d oeuvres, onsite high speed wireless internet access, fireplaces, Jacuzzi tubs, decks and complimentary parking. www.innatoccidental.com



Alex Mountjoy is an Occidental real estate broker who specializes in West Sonoma County properties, land and estates. The West Sonoma County region offers spectacular landscapes and tranquil settings yet is centrally located to the Pacific Ocean, the Russian River, historical towns such as Occidental and Sebastopol and the metropolitan center of San Francisco. Often compared to the wine-producing regions of Tuscany, the West Sonoma County landscape is characterized by vineyards which grace the inland hills, interspersed with pastureland, apple orchards and forests of oak, redwood, bay and fir. Real estate in this region has benefited from forward-thinking open space preservation and land use policies which have favored large parcel sizes and restricted development. If you enjoy food and wine, you will find many small organic and niche producers and markets here, as well as top-notch restaurants. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy world-class cycling in the coastal hills, hiking, and boating. West Sonoma County is one of the most beautiful places in the world to live or enjoy a second home. As a real estate broker specializing in country properties in this area, Alex Mountjoy brings to all transactions the fullest integrity, honesty, experience and commitment to your well-being. e-mail: a.mountjoy@earthlink.net. direct: (707)874-2009. As a service to the community, Alex maintains a directory of select Sonoma County resources, The Mountjoy Directory. www.alexmountjoy.com



The Occidental Bohemian Farmers Market (OBFM) has been operating as a certified farmers market since 2002. Their primary mission is to preserve the vital agricultural tradition of the community and connect their community members to the food they consume; three-quarters of their market is reserved for farmers and food providers. They also offer a variety of services and locally-made artisan goods to shoppers each week, as well as live music and educational tables. The Occidental Bohemian Farmers market is open Fridays 4pm until dusk, June through October. www.occidentalfarmersmarket.com



Renga Arts, located in Occidental produces and sells functional art made of reclaimed, salvaged, and recycled materials. What do they mean by "functional art?" Renga Arts is the first to acknowledge the functional value of most decorative arts, such as painting, photography, and sculpture. Renga Arts strives to offer creatively inspired objects of everyday utility. Needless to say, a wealth of items fit into this category -- birdhouses, furniture, bowls, jewelry, and more. Renga Arts represent a growing number of talented and inspired artists and vendors, both local and international, that create clever handmade products for you and your home. Most of their products are individually unique, which makes it difficult to offer them for online sale. In spite of this, they do offer a select group of items in their online store. Their product line is constantly being updated and expanded as they develop their network of artisans and suppliers. Make sure to stop in and visit on your next trip along the Bohemian Highway. And, if you happen to visit the area on a day when they are not open, just email (info@renga-arts.com) or call in advance (707-874-9407) and they will arrange to be open for your visit. www.renga-arts.com



Sonoma Fine Wine specializes in procuring the highest-quality, most sought-after wines from the United States, France, and Italy, with special emphasis on Northern California. Their ideal location in the heart of Sonoma County's Russian River Valley appellation enables them to develop relationships with premium vintners and tiny micro-producers, thus providing you access to many hard-to-find allocated vintages and high-rated cult wines. Much of their selection is unavailable at other stores, at any price. Sonoma Fine Wine serves as your inside man. They call themselves wine consultants for a reason. Their goal is to procure wines that suit your taste! (Of course, they only sell wine they love too, generally tasted with a meal-the best way to assure a wine's quality.) Their modus operandi is to determine what excites you in the wine world, keep track of it, and then offer you the very best wines in your price range, as they are released. They keep thorough notes on all your feedback to further refine their service. After all, life's too short to drink bad wine! www.sonomafinewine.com



Verdigris is a favorite shop in the charming and historic hamlet of Occidental. "1 Light Art Lamps" are featured at Verdigris and are the creations of Howard Dernberger, whose inventiveness and artistry bring his work forward while maintaining the integrity of the vintage or antique piece as found. His lamps join function to the art of collecting. An everyday object of necessity becomes a pleasant addition to the settings decor. They both show light as needed and act as a nostalgic and meaningful reference in the collectors life. Verdigris also features work by other local artists; including blown glass hummingbird feeders and other glass objects, hand-painted terra cotta wall hangings and plant markers, and out of the ordinary ceramics such as beautifully glazed "Pinot Noir Leaves". Verdigris is also known as a good source for pottery and ceramics, new and old, from around the world, with pieces from Peru, Morocco, the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand. Accessories include smaller tables and creations including the near gone and forgotten turned into functional art. Verdigris presents a wonderful mix of old and new in a variety of styles. Your browsing can be enhanced by the staffs' knowledge of the provenance of each piece chosen for the shop, and found in places both near and far. Tel: (707) 874-9018 www.1lightartlamps.com