What a foodie paradise is doing in Bay Area town with 7,000 residents

Barney Aldridge
2025-07-25T14:03:00-07:00

The Barlow Market in Sebastopol feels like a hidden gem in Sonoma County

By Susana Guerrero,Senior Food Reporter

Near the cross section of two California state highways in Sebastopol is an outdoor market that feels like an oasis among the vast, empty pastures of this tiny Sonoma County town.

For the past 15 years, The Barlow Market has been a local haunt for Sebastopol’s 7,521 residents — and also a perfect day trip for visitors from around the Bay Area.

On a recent Monday, I found myself at the bustling 12.5-acre outdoor shopping district after making the two-hour drive from my home. When I exited the congested Route 101, the road gave way to rural hillsides dotted with grazing cows before I reached a banner that read “The Barlow” in all caps. Though it was a Monday afternoon, a decent-sized crowd was wandering throughout the center’s more than 30 artisan shops and restaurants. People sat around outdoor tables, savoring street-style tacos and delicate baked goods. My first stop was an easy choice: Acre Pizza.

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