Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
For a handy-dandy reference on the road, pick up a copy of Karen MacNeil's The Wine
Bible(2001, Workman Publishing) or Jancis Robinson's The Oxford Companion to Wine
(2006, Oxford University Press) to carry in the car.
Sights
Sonoma Plaza
SQUARE
Smack in the center of the plaza, the Mission-revival-style
city hall
, built between 1906
and 1908, has identical facades on four sides, reportedly because plaza businesses all de-
manded City Hall face their direction. At the plaza's northeast corner, the
Bear Flag
Monument
marks Sonoma's moment of revolutionary glory. The weekly
farmers market
(5:30pm to 8pm Tuesday, April to October) showcases Sonoma's incredible produce.
Sonoma State Historic Park
HISTORIC SITE
( 707-938-9560;
www.parks.ca.gov
; adult/child $3/2; 10am-5pm)
The park is comprised of multiple sites, most side-by-side. The 1823 Mission San Fran-
cisco Solano de Sonoma anchors the plaza, and was the final California mission. Sonoma
Barracks houses exhibits on 19th-cenutry life. The 1886 Toscano Hotel lobby is beauti-
fully preserved - peek inside. The 1852 Vallejo Home lies a half-mile northwest. One tick-
et allows admission to all, including
Petaluma Adobe
(
707-762-4871;
www.petalumaadobe.com
; 3325 Adobe Rd, Petaluma;
10am-5pm Sat & Sun)
, Vallejo's ranch, 15
miles away.
Mission San Francisco Solano de Sonoma
HISTORIC BUILDING
707-938-9560;
www.parks.ca.gov
; 114 E Spain St; adult/child $3/2;
10am-5pm)
At the plaza's northeast corner, the mission was built in 1823, partly to forestall Russians
at Fort Ross from moving inland. This was the 21st and final California mission - the
northernmost point on El Camino Real - and the only one built during the Mexican period
