Exploring California History in Sonoma

The charming town of Sonoma boasts the largest plaza of its kind in California, ringed with charming shops, restaurants, and half a dozen historical sites to explore.

The collection of landmarks is easy to visit during a day of strolling the Sonoma Plaza, with plenty of stops for farm-fresh food and wine tasting.

Sonoma State Historic Park

The sites that speak to this area’s fascinating history are part of Sonoma State Historic Park and are scattered around the pleasant downtown. 

In the mid-1800s, Mexico ruled much of Sonoma County, owning hundreds of thousands of acres of ranchos in this fertile region. But it wasn’t long before the U.S. government and the territory and state of California claimed this burgeoning town. The town of Sonoma is, after all, the birthplace of the California State Bear Flag.

Mission San Francisco Solano

The 21st and northernmost mission on California’s mission trail, this white stucco and red tile structure was originally founded on July 4, 1823. The parish, church, and 27-room living quarters were used by the mission padres and Native American Indian converts.

Now, this graceful building operates as a museum and art gallery, displaying beautiful watercolors of California Missions by the artist Jorgensen. Docent-guided tours speak to unique items of interest, like an 1840 prayer booklet and an anvil dating back to 1766.

Sonoma Barracks

In 1846, Americans, under the banner of California’s Bear Flag, staged a revolt against their Mexican rulers, eventually taking possession of California for the United States. Lieutenant Colonel Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo was the Comandante-General of California’s frontier forces and founder of the town of Sonoma.

The military barracks here were once home to United States soldiers, sailors, and militiamen. Over the years, the building also served as a winery, a store, a law office, and a private residence. The state of California bought the barracks in 1958, and today, the landmark displays an impressive collection of historical items, including a well-preserved cannon.

General Vallejo’s Home

This two-story, wood-frame house was the estate of General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, Military Commander and Director of Colonization of the Northern Frontier. Built around the year 1851, the structure showcases a dramatic Gothic Victorian style.

Acquired by the state of California in 1933, Vallejo’s home is now a museum authentically preserved with original furniture, historical fixtures, and tools of the time.

The Blue Wing Inn

This adobe building first rose from the ground in 1836 as a small inn and pub. Over the years, this site hosted John C. Fremont, U.S. Grant, Kit Carson, and Fighting Joe Hooker. In 1975, the Blue Wing Inn was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and today, it is in the early stages of renovation, but the unique outside can still be viewed and admired.

Toscano Hotel

This wood-frame building next to the Sonoma Barracks was built during the 1850s as a general store, library, and hotel catering to Italian (Toscano) immigrants, among others. Later, the gray, two-story, wood-frame building expanded into a kitchen, dining room, and boarding house. Docents in period costumes lead fascinating tours that include fun facts about antique cooking implements used in the kitchen.

La Casa Grande

This 1836 adobe building once housed Captain Salvador Vallejo, brother of General Mariano G. Vallejo. As one of the most important mansions in the area, it was the center of social and political life north of San Francisco Bay, where important visitors came to see various leaders of the Bear Flag revolt.

Over the years, this building served as a boarding school, retail store, and a city council chamber. The main wing of the house was destroyed by fire in 1867, leaving only the two-story servants’ wing, which still stands today and houses several thriving retail businesses.

Gourmet Food & Wine Tours

For a truly unique and satisfying guided tour of Sonoma, book this 90-minute walking tour that’s loaded with food and wine information and delicious stops. Indeed, the finale of this tasty tour is topped off with a trip to Sweet Scoops Ice Cream. Isn’t hand-crafted ice cream the best way to end any day?

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Written by Sonoma Insider Carey Sweet