Occidental, California

Experience Occidental

An enchanting setting, quaint shops with handcrafted gifts, and our luxurious country bed and breakfast – all in one town!

During your visit to Inn at Occidental grab a copy of An Historical and Anecdotal Walking Tour of the Small (but Fascinating) Village of Occidental, California, and take some time to stroll our quirky town and drink in its history and charm. Many of the boutiques and shops offer mementos of your trip, and if you’re a pasta lover — well this is the place to be!

Its Wacky History

Occidental was originally named “Howard’s Station” after a criminal named Christopher Folkmann. Wait…what? The town’s first settler was a Danish sailor, who was hiding in the area after stealing a military boat. He changed his name to Bill Howard and settled here in 1849. The town was named after Folkmann’s assumed identity until 1876 when it became “Occidental.”

When Italian immigrants arrived here in the 1880s to work as farmers, coal miners, and loggers, the town experienced its first boom. Many of the original families still live in Occidental, which explains why its two-block main drag has two family-style Italian restaurants.

Occidental Today

A charming vacation destination nestled among Sonoma wine country’s redwood forests, Occidental is an ideal location for the inn. Enchanted by Pacific ocean breezes and the scent of local vineyards, guests will agree that the inn is the perfect place from which to discover all of the great activities and attractions that Western Sonoma has to offer.

Dozens of artists call Occidental home, and their artwork can be found in many local stores, along with a variety of other unique treasures. Take a leisurely stroll in our small town center and browse intriguing shops like Mad Hatter toy store, Hand Goods, Galleria, and Vintage by Design.

Music lovers won’t be disappointed as the town boasts a variety of concerts throughout the year. Presented by the Redwood Arts Council, performances feature world-renowned musicians and vocalists as well as local artists, and the styles of music vary greatly from vocal ensembles to jazz, from chamber music to folk music from around the world, and more. Perhaps your visit will coincide with a concert given by the Occidental Community Choir, an acclaimed vocal group that performs its own original music.

Check with an innkeeper to see what’s happening during your visit.