Sonoma-Bodega Adventure 4: Sonoma Plaza and Sebastiani Winery

Sonoma Plaza, at eight acres the largest plaza in California, is the historic center of the town, surrounded by busy food establishments and gift businesses, as well as old (very old) buildings with history leaking from its walls.

As a National Historic Landmark, it plays an important role in the area’s society and tourism efforts. You’ve seen the California flag, haven’t you, with the bear and the star? That happened here during the 1846 Bear Flag Revolt that blossomed into the Mexican-American War.

Sonoma Visitor'ss Center

 

The first place to stop at the Plaza is the Sonoma Visitor’s Center. They have information coming out of their ears, and one can start tourist-gift buying here. That’s where I got some t-shirts for people back home. If you need a place to stay for the night (if you’re passing through), they can help you. If you’re looking for a place to have dinner, they can help you with that as well.

 

Sonoma City Hall

The next destination for me was the fountain in front of the Sonoma City Hall. It’s a beautiful place. I entered the building, but other than a couple of plaques and paintings, there’s not much to see inside. It’s a working city hall, not set up for tourists.

 

Wandering around the plaza and especially the rose garden is pretty delightful. There’s a small amphitheater and a duck pond, a play area for the kids, and lots of paths and flowers hidden amidst the forest of trees.

Mission San Francisco Solano

Just diagonally across the street is the Mission San Francisco Solano, founded in 1823 and named for Francis Solanus. During the mid-1800s, it was used as a saloon and liquor repository.  After falling into disrepair, the mission was restored by the California Historic Landmarks League in 1913.

 

Geodes at the Sonoma Rock & Mineral Gallery

We took a break in the hot sun to have a cold slushy thing at Ben & Jerry’s (for some reason, it seems a little ludicrous to say that when talking about a historic California site. Anyway, we wandered around the little shops, stepping into the Sonoma Rock & Mineral Gallery to check out some fossils, rocks and beautiful geodes.

 

Finally, we headed over to the Sebastiani Winery a couple of blocks east of the Plaza, mostly to hang around in their air conditioned tasting room on their comfy couches. It’s a lovely place, as these pictures will attest:

Sebastiani Winery Gifts

 

Wine-Tasting Room

 

Fountain and Entrance

 

Coming up next: The Best Western Sonoma Valley Inn.