Located in the heart of Sonoma County's wine country, off Highway 116 between Forestville and Sebastapol, this rural town of approximately 700 households is an eclectic assemblage of professional artists, musicians, writers, teachers, craft artisans, students, farmers and day laborers. Some are new arrivals, others have resided here for decades, but all are united by a strong sense of community. A former air raid siren enthusiastically announces each day's noon arrival, courtesy of the fire department. Graton may be small in size, but its main street (with only two stop signs!) packs a big punch when it comes to shopping and dining.
After you've purchased your treasures at Mr. Ryder & Company Antiques and Art, you will want to enjoy the offerings from other local merchants. At Far West Trading Company, located at 9060 Graton Road, proprietors Gary Hagen and Lou Rosenberger have created an environment where contemporary art shares space with Asian furniture and porcelains, South American pottery, Persian rugs and pillows, carved objects of bone, wood and stone, fine Japanese and Korean incense, gifts and TeaBar brand loose-leaf teas, herbs and yerba mate. The Trading Company concentrates on fine quality antiques and reproductions of traditional Asian pieces which are compatible with the American lifestyle. The Company's art collection is an evolving mixture of Asian and local Sonoma County artists. Their loose-leaf teas, herbs and yerba mate are imported from China, Japan, India, Egypt and Argentina. Ask to touch and smell; or taste a brewed sample when you visit this shop.
Far West is open Sunday 10ish, Monday 11ish, Thursday 11ish, Friday and Saturday from 11 til 8. Also open by appointment. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. (707) 823-4880. For more information, or to order teas online, visit their web site at www.farwesttradingcompany.com.
After you've enjoyed your tea, step through the Tea Bar's connecting door to The Red Table, a wildly eclectic shop offering a wonderful mix of antiquities and imports, where you'll find everything from brightly painted antique shutters to a life-sized golden sphinx.
The Graton Gallery, located at 9048 Graton Road, features an outstanding collection of fine art created by award-winning Sonoma County artists Susan R. Ball, Soo Noga, Pam Powell, Rik Olson, Ruth Robinson, and Henry White. In addition, the creations of 27 fine local craft artisans are on display here. Be sure to take a moment to enjoy their whimsical outdoor sculpture garden. Winter hours are 11-6 Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; 10:30-7 Friday and Saturday; 10-5 on Sunday; closed on Tuesday. (707) 829-8912.
Hungry yet? It's easy to work up an appetite while shopping. Fortunately, Graton is home to several of Sonoma County's finest and most popular restaurants.
Underwood Bar and Bistro, located at 9113 Graton Road, is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday -Saturday from 11:30 till 10 PM, with a late night menu served Friday and Saturday till 11 PM. Open Sunday for dinner only from 5 -10 PM. The bar remains open till midnight Tuesday - Thursday, and closes at 2 AM on Friday and Saturday. Closed on Monday.
In addition to entrees with emphasis on French and Mediterranean cuisine, Underwood also serves a delectable assortment of tapas (small plate dishes), such as seared tombo tuna, mussels with smoked chorizo, and a very tasty Spanish charcuterie plate. They also offer a variety of oysters on the half shell. The incredible king-sized nickel topped bar heightens the European ambiance. Reservations recommended. (707) 823-7023.
Located across the street at 9020 Graton Road, Willow Wood Market Cafe is open Monday - Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 8 AM til 9 PM, and Sundays from 9 til 3 for breakfast and brunch. The ambiance is informal and bustling, the walls are decorated with works by local artists, and the gourmet fare is delicious and wholesome, with emphasis on American contemporary cuisine. Be sure to try the polenta and the ginger bread cake. Willow Wood also has a "country store area" where you can purchase wines, preserves, cards by local artists, and quirky oddball gifts. (707) 823-0233.
If Mexican fare is more to your liking, you can't miss at Mexico Lindo. They're open daily from 9AM til 9PM, with music on Wednesday evenings, and their menu features traditional Mexican entrees, combination plates and side dishes. Mean quesadillas here, and their chicken tacos literally melt in your mouth. Located at 9030 Graton Rd. (707) 823-4154.
Pinnacle Market, located at 9056 Graton Road, offers local whole foods and farm fresh produce, as well as an eclectic assortment of artisan cheeses, breads and meats. Proprietor Janna Anderson will be more than happy to let you taste-test the market's seasonal fruits and vegetables. Pinnacle is open Tuesday - Sunday from 11 AM till 7 PM.
Why not make Graton your next day-trip destination? Come discover us!
Located in the heart of Sonoma County's wine country, off Highway 116 between Forestville and Sebastapol, this rural town of approximately 700 households is an eclectic assemblage of professional artists, musicians, writers, teachers, craft artisans, students, farmers and day laborers. Some are new arrivals, others have resided here for decades, but all are united by a strong sense of community. A former air raid siren enthusiastically announces each day's noon arrival, courtesy of the fire department. Graton may be small in size, but its main street (with only two stop signs!) packs a big punch when it comes to shopping and dining.
After you've purchased your treasures at Mr. Ryder & Company Antiques and Art, you will want to enjoy the offerings from other local merchants. At Far West Trading Company, located at 9060 Graton Road, proprietors Gary Hagen and Lou Rosenberger have created an environment where contemporary art shares space with Asian furniture and porcelains, South American pottery, Persian rugs and pillows, carved objects of bone, wood and stone, fine Japanese and Korean incense, gifts and TeaBar brand loose-leaf teas, herbs and yerba mate. The Trading Company concentrates on fine quality antiques and reproductions of traditional Asian pieces which are compatible with the American lifestyle. The Company's art collection is an evolving mixture of Asian and local Sonoma County artists. Their loose-leaf teas, herbs and yerba mate are imported from China, Japan, India, Egypt and Argentina. Ask to touch and smell; or taste a brewed sample when you visit this shop.
Far West is open Sunday 10ish, Monday 11ish, Thursday 11ish, Friday and Saturday from 11 til 8. Also open by appointment. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. (707) 823-4880. For more information, or to order teas online, visit their web site at 
The 
Underwood Bar and Bistro, located at 9113 Graton Road, is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday -Saturday from 11:30 till 10 PM, with a late night menu served Friday and Saturday till 11 PM. Open Sunday for dinner only from 5 -10 PM. The bar remains open till midnight Tuesday - Thursday, and closes at 2 AM on Friday and Saturday. Closed on Monday.
Located across the street at 9020 Graton Road, Willow Wood Market Cafe is open Monday - Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 8 AM til 9 PM, and Sundays from 9 til 3 for breakfast and brunch. The ambiance is informal and bustling, the walls are decorated with works by local artists, and the gourmet fare is delicious and wholesome, with emphasis on American contemporary cuisine. Be sure to try the polenta and the ginger bread cake. Willow Wood also has a "country store area" where you can purchase wines, preserves, cards by local artists, and quirky oddball gifts. (707) 823-0233.
Pinnacle Market, located at 9056 Graton Road, offers local whole foods and farm fresh produce, as well as an eclectic assortment of artisan cheeses, breads and meats. Proprietor Janna Anderson will be more than happy to let you taste-test the market's seasonal fruits and vegetables. Pinnacle is open Tuesday - Sunday from 11 AM till 7 PM.