Sonoma

View map

Sonoma’s historical roots go back to the time when California was mostly under Mexican rule. Its Spanish colonial past is still visible in the way the city is laid out (Sonoma Plaza) and in its architectural style. Sonoma’s main attractions are the Mission of San Francisco Solana, Sonoma Plaza, the Statue of the Bear Flag Revolt, and the Presidio of Sonoma.

The town was founded in 1823 at the most northern end of the “royal road,” or Camino Real, connecting the 21 California missions from north to south.

In 1924, Giuseppe Musante began selling Calistoga Sparkling Mineral Water. The company, purchased by new owners in the 1970s, continues to thrive.

Notable persons from Sonoma are:

• General Vallejo, the last Mexican Governor of California.
• Agoston Haraszthy, the father of California’s wine industry and founder of Buena Vista, who created the first winery west of the Mississippi and who is credited with the introduction of Zinfandel to North America.
• General Hap Arnold, the commander of the United States Air Force in WWII.
• Chuck Williams, founder of—yes, you guessed it—Williams Sonoma.
  

Do you still use Microsoft’s Windows XP operating system? The iconic rolling hills and blue skies wallpaper included with the software were photographed just southeast of town by photographer Charles O’Rear, a resident of St. Helena.