[6] The name change to Sebastopol has historically been attributed to a bar fight in the late 1850s, which was allegedly compared by a bystander to the long British siege of the seaport of Sevastopol (1854–1855) during the Crimean War of 1853–1856.

[18] The town of Sebastopol formed in the 1850s with a U.S. Post Office and as a small trade center for the farmers of the surrounding agricultural region.

In 1890 the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad connected Sebastopol to the national rail network.

[21] The town was incorporated in 1902, with schools, churches, hotels, canneries, mills, wineries, and an opera house to its credit.

Contemporary research from the U.S. Geological Survey found that Sebastopol experienced the highest intensity shaking during the earthquake.

Originally built by the Manchurian Railroad Company and exhibited in the Chicago World's Fair of 1933, the Kamakura-style temple was dismantled and shipped to Sebastopol, where it was reconstructed without the use of nails.

[23][24] In the second half of the 20th century, the apple industry struggled to compete with other apple-producing regions and gradually declined in economic significance.

With greater personal mobility and the rise of larger shopping centers in other Sonoma County communities, many residents now often commute to work and shop in the neighboring towns, and a majority of local vehicle trips end in Santa Rosa.

[25] Sebastopol once had working railroad trains on Main Street, and the tracks were removed in the late 1980s.

[26] This was documented by Analy High School students in a 1979 video Our Train Down Main: a History of the Petaluma and Santa Rosa Railroad.

The canneries and apple-processing plant are gone from downtown, and vineyards and housing developments have replaced many apple orchards, reducing the demand for freight service.

The region's last remaining apple processing plant, Manzana Products, announced in 2024 that they would relocate operations to the Yakima Valley of Washington by early 2026.

[27] Around the time of the removal of rail tracks, the Gravenstein Highway (Route 116) was redesigned with a pair of one-way streets.

[36] In partnership with the County of Sonoma and using Project Homekey funds, the former Sebastopol Inn was converted to supportive housing during the COVID-19 pandemic and renamed Elderberry Commons.

[41] Initial actions to curb the fiscal crisis included a 37% water and sewer rate increase in 2024.

[42] Local residents passed a ½ cent sales tax in the 2024 general election to prevent further deficit spending.

[43] Sebastopol is home to national food and beverage producers including Guayakí, Redwood Hill Creamery, Traditional Medicinals, and Bachan’s.

[47][49] Sebastopol is in the Russian River Valley AVA, and a variety of wineries and tasting rooms are located in the area.

[54] As of 2024, Sebastopol has two restaurants with Bib Gourmand recognition in the annual Michelin Guide: Khom Loi and Ramen Gaijin.

[57][58] The Laguna is a wetland area that is home to many species of wildlife and vegetation and divides the town from neighboring Santa Rosa.

[11] The Pitkin Marsh lily and White sedge are two rare species of plants that are found in the vicinity of Sebastopol.

Places of interest in Sebastopol include: The city council consists of five members, each serving four-year terms.

[69][70] A former mayor, Robert Jacob, who was selected by the city council in December 2013, was the owner of two medical marijuana dispensaries in Sonoma County.

Federally, Sebastopol is in California's 2nd congressional district, represented by Democrat Jared Huffman.

[79] Sebastopol Charter had the highest percentage (58%) of kindergarten students with medical exemptions to vaccines in California as of the summer of 2018.