Sonoma
The historic heart of the Sonoma Valley, built around California's largest town plaza and the state's northernmost mission.
About Sonoma
Sonoma is the historic seat of the Sonoma Valley, laid out in 1835 by General Mariano G. Vallejo around an eight-acre plaza — the largest in California — and the site of the 1846 Bear Flag Revolt. Incorporated in 1883, the town of about 10,739 people wears its past openly: the northernmost California mission, adobe barracks and 19th-century storefronts all frame the square. Today the plaza doubles as a wine-and-food destination, ringed by tasting rooms, restaurants and cheese shops that showcase Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Its position makes it a relaxed base for touring the broader county, with the cool Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley within easy reach. Slower-paced and more walkable than Napa's touring towns, Sonoma pairs deep California history with an unhurried tasting culture.
Practical details
Wine tourism notes
The town of Sonoma anchors the Sonoma Valley with an eight-acre central plaza lined by tasting rooms and restaurants; it is a gentle, history-rich gateway to the cooler Sonoma Coast and Russian River appellations to the west.
Regional cuisine
Historic wine-country fare centered on the plaza — Sonoma Jack cheese and other local dairy, salumi, seasonal produce, and bistro cooking paired with nearby Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Farmers' markets and heritage bakeries reinforce the town's food identity.
Canonical attractions
- Sonoma Plaza (largest in California)
- Mission San Francisco Solano
- Sonoma State Historic Park
- Bear Flag Monument
- plaza-side tasting rooms
Editorial notes
Ideal for travelers who want history alongside wine; the plaza is fully walkable, and many wineries lie a short drive up the Sonoma Valley or west toward the coast.