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Sonoma Plaza – Sonoma Plaza is an oasis on a hot summer's
day. Relax on the grass under leafy shade trees, on park benches and outdoor
tables, or in the large playground with climbing structures and
swings for little kids. Toss the breadcrumbs from your picnic to the ducks
chugging around the little pond. (If you're picnicking on the grass, look
out for ducks waddling your direction, hungry for handouts.) |
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You never can tell what you'll find at the plaza. On the weekends
you might see a beautifully groomed two-humped camel (the owner will let
you pet it), an ox roast picnic, or vintage cars. On July 4th, a big old-fashioned
celebration with parade. April – October, there's a farmers market,
Tues. 5:30pm to dusk. Ask at the Visitor Center about a calendar of events. |
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Tip: In the plaza, stop into the Visitor Center, and pick
up the sheet "Seven Flags Over Sonoma." Flags from Spain, England,
Russia, Mexican Empire, Republic of Mexico, Rebel Bear flag, and flag of
the United States have flown over Sonoma. |
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Sonoma State Historic Park – |
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 Mission
San Francisco Solano de Sonoma – The Sonoma Mission is the 21st
and last California mission, situated along El Camino Real (the "Royal
Road") that starts with the first mission in San Diego. Mission San
Francisco Solano was founded on July 4, 1823, and functioned as a working
mission until 1834. Originally, besides the mission quadrangle – the
church, living quarters and workshops – there were orchards, vineyards,
pastures for livestock. |
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The entrance to mission is through the padre's quarters,
where you can see a diorama of the mission quadrangle (it was considerably
bigger than the buildings you see now), paintings of all the California
missions, and artifacts of mission life, the mission bell, a tallow vat,
a grinding wheel. |
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The chapel was built in the 1840's as the local church for
the Mexican soldiers and their families. The chapel, made with adobe bricks,
was constructed on the site of the original wooden mission church. The plaster-walled
interior of the church is painted with the Stations of the Cross and on
either side of the altar are life-size figures of Mary and Jesus. Although
the chapel has been restored, it's typical of an early 19th century California
church. |
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Wander out into the outdoor courtyard, complete with beehive-shaped
bake ovens, a fountain and shady spot to rest under the olive trees, and
huge clumps of prickly pear cactus (the nopal cactus is edible and was planted
for food). |
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Sonoma
Barracks – In 1836, General Vallejo, the commander of the presidio
in San Francisco, sent in a contingent of Mexican soldiers to keep an eye
on the Russian colony at Fort Ross. The soldiers wore blue uniforms with
red trim and dashing wide black hats, carried pistols, swords, muskets,
and rode horses with vaquero style saddles. One room in the barracks is
a re-creation of the soldiers' living quarters and lifestyle. (On weekends,
you'll see volunteers wearing the soldier's uniform.) Don't miss a copy
of the California Bear Flag, a hand sewn flag raised in 1846 as a declaration
of the "California Republic." |
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Toscana
Hotel – Poke your head into the lobby of the Toscana Hotel, which
dates back to 1852. Charming Victorian setting, an upright piano, pot-bellied
stove, upholstered armchairs, and tables set up for a poker game. |
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Depot Park – Depot Park surrounds the old Sonoma
train depot, now a small museum. The unused tracks are still there, and
a rust red caboose and dusty orange freight cars sit out front. The park
is a great place to run around or have a picnic (there are tables and barbeque
grills). Toddlers can play in the small playground. Fridays 9:00am –
noon (year-round), pick up fresh fruits and vegetables at the farmers market
in the nearby parking lot. |
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Pet the Clydesdales – Two adorable
Clydesdale horses live in a mini-farm on the corner of E. Spain and 2nd
Streets. The horses will come up to the fence and you can pet them. Entertaining
for toddlers. (Go up 2nd St., east side of the street, and you'll see the
horses.) |
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Bartholomew Park Winery (follow 7th St. East
to Castle St.) – You'd never guess that a five minute drive from
the plaza in Sonoma, you'd find yourself on a hilltop, surrounded by vines
and wooded hillsides, as far as you can see. Along with wine tasting, of
course, the winery has lots of wooden picnic tables shaded under
the oak trees, and miles of hiking trails. Just follow the Trails
signs from the picnic tables, to the gate in the fence. From there you can
take a three mile (round trip) along the creek, through the redwoods and
mazanita, with views and a lake. This is particularly nice in spring, with
the wildflowers, yellow mustard, and fruit trees in bloom. |
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Train Town (on Hwy 12, south of Sonoma Plaza) – Take a 20 min. ride on the Sonoma Train Town Railroad, a pint-size
steam train that rolls through a 10 acre park, past a waterfall and small
lake. Along the way, there's a stop at the petting zoo, where you can feed
fluffy llamas, goats, sheep and rabbits. Train Town also has amusement rides,
perfect for little ones – a carousel, ferris wheel, "Dragon coaster,"
and "Chattanooga Choo Choo Chairs." |
