Sonoma barracks
Sonoma barracks
Sonoma is a gem of a town. By simply exploring the boundaries of its main square you glimpse some of Californiaā€™s interesting past. On the squareā€™s northern edge sits the Sonoma Barracks, Mexicoā€™s provincial headquarters for its northern frontier under the command of General Vallejo. The adjacent wood-frame Toscano Hotel has been restored and on weekends guides lead interesting tours through the rooms.
Sonoma Square
The nearby Mission San Francisco Solano de Sonoma, the last Franciscan mission built in California, was restored in the early 1900s. The long, low adobe building across the way, the Blue Wig Inn, originally built to house soldiers assigned to the mission, enjoyed a more colorful existence as a saloon and gambling room during the Gold Rush days.
In addition to the historic sites on Sonomaā€™s plaza, there are numerous shops, restaurants and boutiques to investigate, including some wonderful specialty food stores where you can purchase picnic supplies.
Sonoma Mission
Round and about there are some excellent wineries to visit. Among them Buena Vista, Gloria Ferrer, Viansa and Benziger in nearby Glen Ellen.
Stay in town at the delightful Inn At Sonoma or enjoy a countryside retreat at Beltane Ranch in Glen Ellen.
