About Sonoma
Located just 50 miles northeast of San Francisco and 20 miles southeast of
Santa Rosa, the City of Sonoma is a small, historic community of some 9,500
residents. Right in the heart of Wine Country, the town is ringed with
world-class wineries and scenic vineyards. It offers an unmatched quality of
life, combining the pace and friendliness of small town living with cultural
and recreational opportunities normally associated with much larger
communities.
The center of Sonoma life is in its old-fashioned town square which
houses City Hall and a beautiful park replete with bandstand, duck pond
and areas for picnicking. Branching out from the square are streets
lined with boutiques, restaurants, wine tasting rooms and small local
inns. Radiating out from the center of town are quaint residential
neighborhoods where residents and tourists alike are found walking
their dogs, riding bikes and enjoying the pace of Wine Country
living.
It is hard to capture the essence of this unique blend of rural
community living with sophisticated lifestyle. Regular farmers’
markets run concurrent with amazing art exhibits at Sonoma Museum;
the Sonoma Jazz+ Festival attracts world-class artists while the
Community Center sponsors the Ox Roast and Fourth of July parade.
Some of the state’s largest wineries and five star restaurants co-exist
with family wine makers and casual cafes.
Sonoma has a rich history and its cultural heritage is valued by
both tourists and residents alike. The Mission San Francisco de Solano
was established in 1823 and shortly thereafter in 1835, the pueblo (or
town) of Sonoma was first recognized. In a revolt against Mexico’s
control of California Sonoma was declared the capital of the "Bear Flag
Republic" on June 14, 1846. The town's status as the nominal capital
of California lasted only 25 days, ending with California's annexation
by the United States and in 1881, Sonoma was incorporated as a city
(for the second time). Evidence of Sonoma’s role in California history
can be seen in and around the City at the Mission and at General
Vallejo’s home.
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