Sonoma
Historic character, celebrated food and wine, and a remarkable range of ways to live.
Centered around its historic eight-acre Plaza, Sonoma combines the pleasures of a small town with the sophistication of one of California’s best-known Wine Country destinations. Restaurants, tasting rooms, boutiques, markets and community events create an unusually active center of town.
Residential character changes quickly beyond the Plaza. The Eastside is known for established neighborhoods, architectural variety and convenient access toward larger estate parcels. The Westside offers its own mix of historic streets, residential enclaves and easy connections to the valley. At the edges of town, acreage, vineyards, views and privacy become increasingly important.
That diversity makes micro-location especially important. Two homes with similar square footage can offer very different lifestyles — and command very different values — depending on the street, setting, land and condition.
Landmarks & Points of Interest
Sonoma is where California as a state effectively began, and its historic eight-acre plaza still anchors daily life. The town blends deep Mexican-era and early-American history with a walkable downtown of tasting rooms, restaurants, and boutiques.
Sonoma Plaza
Laid out in 1835 by town founder General Mariano Vallejo, this is the largest town plaza in California and a National Historic Landmark. Its eight tree-filled acres hold City Hall, a duck pond, and hosts farmers markets, concerts, and community events year-round.
Mission San Francisco Solano
The last and northernmost of California’s 21 Spanish missions, founded in 1823. It sits on the plaza as part of Sonoma State Historic Park and is a cornerstone of the town’s founding story.
Bear Flag Monument
Marks the site of the 1846 Bear Flag Revolt, when settlers declared the short-lived Republic of California—a pivotal moment in the state’s path to becoming part of the U.S.
General Vallejo’s Home (Lachryma Montis)
The Gothic Victorian estate of Sonoma’s founder, now a museum within the state historic park, offering a window into 19th-century California life.