One of Sebastopol’s most charming surprises, Florence Avenue is a residential street where neighbors have spent the last two decades filling their front yards with towering, whimsical sculptures built from scrap metal, old machine parts, and salvaged junk — giant chickens, spacemen, dinosaurs, and more, largely the work of local artists Patrick Amiot and Brigitte Laurent. There’s no admission, no set hours, and no formal starting point — just park nearby and wander the block for twenty minutes to take it all in. It’s a great stop with kids, a fun stretch-your-legs break on a driving day, or a quick detour on the way to or from downtown Sebastopol. Go at a slow walking pace and look closely — a lot of the charm is in the small details bolted onto each piece. Bring a camera; nearly every sculpture is a photo opportunity.
