05 May A traveled trail to Spirit Weavers
Each year Women travel from all across the world to attend The Spirit Weavers Gathering. This year we have sisters coming from Australia, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Chile, China, Germany, England, Canada, Bali, Israel, Dubai, Netherlands, and Latvia!! The home of the gathering, Northern California is truly a gem with so many incredible place to stop and visit.
Romance finds a home in this idyllic coastal region, where ocean fog rolls in from the ocean to blanket hushed redwood forests, and whales spout offshore. Along the coast, artists set up their easels to paint scenes of crashing surf and whitewashed cottages wrapped in rose-filled gardens. It’s also a place where a new generation of farmers and lovers of the land focus on preserving this unique and beautiful landscape.
The Mendocino Coast is just 15 minutes away from the gathering site with a spectacular drive through the redwoods. Navarro Beach is a favorite for driftwood collectors and the infamous Mendocino Town is 40 minutes away.
Local food and wine are always in reach along the route to Spirit Weavers. If you do end up stopping at any of the wineries please open your wine after the gathering. : ) Here is our list of a few of our favorite places to stop, shop, eat and explore!
If you are wanting to grab food for the weekend before the gathering and will be coming from inland here are a few of our favorite spots off Highway 101.
From San Francisco:
Santa Rosa Community Market
1899 Mendocino Ave
Santa Rosa, CA
(707) 546-1806
Coming from the North:
Ukiah Natural Foods Co-op
721 S State St, Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 462-4778 *Located just off the 101 close to the 128 where you will travel towards the coast to reach Spirit Weavers.
Boonville is the closet town to the gathering site. Its about a 20 minute drive from the land. They do have a small local and organic food stand, Boont Berry Farm which you can’t miss. Its great only for grabbing a quick snack or a few lunch items.
Places to eat for lunch:
Stone & Embers Wood Fired Pizza
9000 CA-128 Philo, CA 95466 (707) 895-3471
Boonville General Store
17810 Farrer Ln,Boonville, CA 95415 (707) 895-9477
Mosswood Market
14111 CA-128,
Boonville, CA 95415
(707) 895-3635
Places to stop along the 128:
The most lovely store and a must see: Farmhouse Mercantile
Farmhouse Merchantile
14111 CA-128,
Boonville, CA 95415
(707) 895-3996
Local and Organic: The Philo Apple Farm
The Apple Farm
18501 Greenwood Road
Philo CA 95466
Yorkville Market
26701 CA-128,
Yorkville, CA 95494
(707) 894-4091
Arts and Crafts:
Pepperwood Pottery is located right past Boonville on your way to the gathering on your right hand side off Highway 128 at mile marker 14.68 which runs along the beautiful Navarro River. Lots of beautiful pottery and unique hand built houses.
Rookie-to-Gallery
14300 CA-128,
Boonville, CA 95415
(707) 895-2204
If you are taking the Coastal Route from SF up to the gathering, it is about a four hour BEAUTIFUL scenic route along highway 101. The roads are windy but worth it!
Bolinas:
The Peoples Co-op
14 Wharf Road
Bolinas, CA 94924
415.868.1433
Bodega Bay:
The Birds Cafe
1407 Hwy 1
Bodega Bay, CA 94923
Jenner:
Cafe Aquatica
Cafe Aquatica
10439 Hwy 1
Jenner, CA95450
and our favorite SEA RANCH CHAPEL!
Heading North on Highway 1 from Jenner, the beginning of The Sea Ranch is located at Sonoma County Mile Marker 49.90 (about 45 minutes from Jenner). Continue North to Mile Marker 55.66 – a little over five miles. The Sea Ranch Chapel is on the right side across the highway from a street named Bosun’s Reach. (All of the street signs on The Sea Ranch are vertical white posts.)
And if you do choose the Coastal Route, you will get to experience the most magical of drives which will be through the redwood forest right before you reach the Spirit Weavers Gathering site! Enjoy!
Main Photo from last years gathering by: Frossini
