Sonoma, CA Road Trips

The city is based around the Sonoma Plaza (locals call it "The Square" or "The Plaza") which is a historic landmark. Restaurants, bars, boutiques and local businesses cluster around the Plaza, with historic houses and residential neighborhoods surrounding it on the southwest and southeast sides, and hills and parkland on its northern end. Besides being the center of the modern wine-making industry in Sonoma County, the city of Sonoma has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. Spanish colonial settlers established one of their northernmost missions in 1823 when the Mission San Francisco Solano was founded by a Spanish priest, Father Joseph Altimira. The Mission was the first, last, and only California mission established under newly-independent Mexican rule. For a brief period in 1846, from June 14 to July 9, Sonoma was the capital of the short-lived California Republic. There is a monument to the Bear Flag Movement is on the Plaza. The personality of Sonoma is different than its better-known and more ritzy neighbor Napa. "Sonoma Casual" is the fashion for fundraiser invitations, and wealthy retirees mix with wine industry celebrities and a thriving Latino population. Sonoma is also home to a large Nepalese immigrant community. It's an eccentric town that had a mayor who wore Birkenstock sandals and had long hippie hair; anti-war protesters can occasionally be seen in protests at the Plaza; and you never know when you might see a man riding a bike with a parrot on his shoulder.

Sonoma is home to the Bear Flag revolt, and the home of General Vallejo; his mansion is a historic landmark that may be seen on any day of the week. If you pay $2 you can get a pass to see his mansion, the Barracks (home of the military back in the 1800s), and the Sonoma Mission (the first church in Sonoma). These three sites are on or near downtown Sonoma plaza, one of the only Spanish-style plazas to be found in California. The Sonoma plaza is a large park which is great for families and it houses the impressive City Hall. Surrounding the plaza are various shops and five-star restaurants as well, if you feel like stimulating the economy. Sonoma Walking Tour, Sonoma Town Plaza. 2 hours. Group and self-guided. 1 Mission San Francisco Solano (Sonoma State Historic Park), 114 East Spain St, ☏ +1 707 938-9560. 10AM - 5PM. Founded in 1823 as the last of the Spanish California missions, in part by Mariano Vallejo to check the Russian's impact in Northern California. Site of the first vineyard in Sonoma County. This is where the Bear Flag Revolt took place in 1846. It was bought by the California Historic Landmarks League in 1903 and restored in 1913. Though it was the last mission, it was the third structure in California to be designated a State Historic Landmark. 2 Sebastiani Theatre, 476 1st St E (On the Plaza), ☏ +1 707-996-2020. Varies. Historic movie theatre built by wine mogul Samuele Sebastiani in 1933. Shows first run and retro films and also has great and varied live music and special events. Stop by the original ticket booth for a quirky photo op.

Charlie’s Acres - tour, 3201 Napa Road, [email protected]. In-person guided tours of the sanctuary for private groups of 2-10 people; about 90 minutes, and walking about a half-mile. Donation of $50/adult and $25/child under 13. (updated Oct 2020) Have a picnic in the park - with a cocktail in the Plaza. Sonoma is one of the few parks in Northern California that allows visitors to drink alcoholic beverages every day of the week, dawn to dusk. Bring a bottle of wine or beer, plus a sandwich or bread and cheese, and enjoy people watching and the beautiful plaza. Ramekins. Take a cooking course and then relax with a wonderful meal on site. Ramekins a local cooking school and event facility just off of the Plaza, that trains future (and hobbyist) wine country chefs. Sonoma's Tuesday Night Market (In front of and behind City Hall on the Sonoma Plaza). The most popular place in town on Tuesday from 5:30PM until dusk from May until October. There is live music and lots of farmers selling fresh vegetables and fruits and food trucks and vendors making fresh food for you to enjoy. Locals bring wine and picnics and have parties until the cowbell is rung and everyone heads home. (updated Jul 2019) Sonoma Garden Park, 19996 Seventh Street East, [email protected]. Dawn to dusk. A 6.1 acre city park features a water-wise landscape that keeps the park thriving through droughts. Brochures at the park will take you on a self-guided tour of the grounds. Free.

The city of Sonoma is home to some amazing restaurants. You can get high end French-country food, fresh seafood from the coast, and affordable Mexican that is as good as what you'd get down south. Some of these restaurants reside in Sonoma Valley, versus the City of Sonoma, so grab a car or bike and get out for a great bite to eat. 1 Sunflower Caffé, 421 First St. W. (on the Plaza), ☏ +1 707-996-6645. 7AM-4PM. Serving breakfast, lunch, and happy hour, Sunflower is popular with locals. It's been featured on "Diners, Drive-In's and Dives," but it doesn't fit into any of those categories. Casual dining inside, but the highlight is the back patio. Delicious brunch, salads and sandwiches. Happy hour is served from 3-4PM with locals wines and beers. Free wifi. $11. 2 Basque Boulangerie Cafe, 460 First St (on the Plaza), ☏ +1 707-935-7687, [email protected]. 6AM-6PM. Sonoma's favorite local bakery, the Boulangerie is a popular place for breakfast and lunch. Affordable fresh sandwiches, tasty coffee, and freshly baked bread and pastries. Try a cheesy breadstick. Grab a loaf of bread to nibble on with local cheese at the park. They back the bread in house - stop by around 8PM for a hearty smell out back. $4-9. 3 Tortilleria Jalisco, 897 W Napa St (about a 20-minute walk west of the Plaza), ☏ +1 707-935-7356. 10AM-?. Super cheap, no thrills Mexican food you expect when visiting California. For lunch and late night there is a taco stand set up outside that serves into the evening. Fast, cheap and filling. $5-10. 4 Mary's Pizza Shack, 8 W. Spain St.

People come to Sonoma usually for one thing: to drink. There are few very bars in Sonoma the town, as most establishments are tasting rooms or restaurants with bars. The few local bars in town bring out primarily local color, but live music and special events can frequently be found by checking local free papers and websites. 1 Murphy's Irish Pub & Restaurant, 464 1st St E (on the east side of Sonoma Plaza), ☏ +1 707 935-0660. The Irish pub of Sonoma. Full menu, live music, beers, and a fun, family-friendly environment. They also have Trivia night on Wednesdays where the locals compete for first, second, and last place. Prizes usually include wine, so bone up on your current events! (updated Jul 2019) 2 Steiners Tavern, 465 1st St W (on the west side of Sonoma Plaza), ☏ +1 707 996-3812, [email protected]. 6AM-2AM. Founded in 1927, described by a local as "the only real bar in Sonoma". All the classics of a bar: live music, jukebox, pool, TV's, and heavy pours. Lots of locals and it can get pretty rowdy sometimes. It opens at 6AM if that tells you anything. 3 HopMonk Tavern, 691 Broadway (about a 10-minute walk south of the Plaza), ☏ +1 707 935-9100, [email protected]. 11:30AM-late. A contemporary beer garden that is part of a local chain (two other locations exist) that was started by Gordon Biersch. Food is just mediocre but the beer is adequate and features HopMonk's own beer (if you like Biersch's beers...) and other regional and international brews.

Sonoma is home to many fine hotels and bed and breakfasts. There are virtually no "budget" hotels in Sonoma proper, but, you can find affordable options via private home rentals or couchsurfing websites. Another option is to stay in Santa Rosa, which is about a 30-40 minute drive north of Sonoma. 1 Sonoma Valley Inn, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, 550 2nd St West, ☏ +1 707 938-9200, toll-free: +1-800-334-5784, fax: +1 707-938-0935, [email protected]. A locally owned and operated Best Western. A few blocks from Sonoma Plaza, this hotel is pet friendly and has a pool, jacuzzi rooms and free breakfast. Free wifi and laundry facilities you can use. Expensive for a Best Western - but not your typical, either. $128-250. 2 El Dorado Hotel, 405 First St. W. (on the Plaza), ☏ +1 707-996-3030, [email protected]. Centrally located, the El Dorado Hotel is the most high end overnight property on the Plaza. Very modern rooms (27 in total) with free wifi, coffee/tea, and you even get your own reusable water bottle for your stay. A super hip solar-heated pool overlooks the restaurant and will make you feel like a star while those dining watch you sunbath. $145-300. 3 El Pueblo Inn, 896 West Napa St, ☏ +1 707 996-3651, fax: +1 707-935-5988, [email protected]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. A comfortable inn with a Santa Fe feel. Further from the Plaza, a cab, car or bike would be ideal. The more affordable mid-range option compared to its neighbouring Best Western.

There are no major freeways that go through or even close to Sonoma. The best way to get in is from California State Route 12 which goes directly through the city. Route 12 intersects with Highway 101 in Santa Rosa and I-80 east of Napa near Fairfield. Additionally, State Route 116 connects the city to neighboring Petaluma, to the west, and also connects to Highway 101. Those traveling from downtown San Francisco or SFO should take Highway 37 to Sears Point in southern Sonoma, then take State Route 121 north, into the valley. Sonoma County is served by direct flights to Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS IATA) from Seattle/Tacoma; Portland, Oregon; Denver; San Francisco; Los Angeles; Orange County; Las Vegas (seasonal); Phoenix; and Minneapolis (seasonal). From that airport, it's about a 45-minute drive to Sonoma, except during commute hours. You can also fly into Sacramento (SMF IATA) or Oakland (OAK IATA) Airport as well as San Francisco International Airport. From any of those airports, it's much faster to take a car than public transportation, which is limited to buses.

Unless you plan on staying at Sonoma Plaza and making it the focus of your visit, Sonoma is a car-dependent city, also offering bike tours and locally owned taxi service. If you're staying at a hotel or resort the concierge can organize transportation for you, or you can arrange your own with some of the many options available in town. Many visitors rent cars, and take advantage of tour services for bringing them to and from wineries without risking drunk driving. Sonoma wine tour services include: Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley, ☏ +1-877-946-3876. A refurbished, gasoline-powered trolley that travels throughout Sonoma starting at $99/person. Sonoma's mild climate and beautiful scenery make it great for walking or riding a bike. If you want to rent a bike or take a bike tour, there are three places in town: Wine Country Cyclery, 262 West Napa St., ☏ +1 707-996-6800. Sonoma Valley Bike Tours 520 Broadway, ☏ +1-877-308-2453. Sonoma County Transit connects Sonoma to the surrounding towns in the county. Their website has information about how to purchase passes and taking your bicycle on to buses. If you find yourself stranded at a winery after too many tastes of Pinot Noir, it may be handy to have the number of someone who will pick you up. Sonoma Taxi, ☏ +1 707-889-1266. A Sherpa-owned and -operated taxi service.