The downtown square of the city of Sonoma is not only a great place to visit, it’s great place to learn. This is the heart of California, with amazing history from the times of indigenous tribes of the Pomo, Coastal Miwok, and Wappo tribes to the Spanish settlement around their northernmost Mission run by General Mariano Vallejo (and his wife, Benicia) to the Bear Flag revolt when California was it’s own country/republic for 22 days. As well as a long history of farming and vineyards. Did you know that General Vallejo was the first commercial grape from and wine maker in California?
Downtown Sonoma can wait a minute though: Just 20 minutes from town, near Glen Ellen, you can start with a hike around Jack London State Park. There are over 29 miles of trails here! You can just take the small walk around the historic range, walk a half mile up to London Lake and the Bath House, or see the Pig Palace or the Museum. Lots of great History here, and great walks. Click here for the trail map. When Jack London bought his original 130 acre ranch (which grew to over 1400 acres), he did so to escape the city where he lived (Oakland), which is exactly what I’m suggesting you do! London said about the farm: “All I wanted was a quiet place in the country to write and loaf in and get out of Nature that something which we all need, only the most of us don’t know it.”
When you’ve filled yourself with the spirit of one of California’s greatest writers, maybe it’s time to fill yourself with some great food. So head on back into Sonoma Square and try any one of my favorite restaurants. The Red Grape has great wood-fired pizzas and pasta, The Girl and The Fig is big-city-quality French-California cuisine, the Sonoma Cheese Factory has a great deli and BBQ burgers, while the Hopmonk Tavern has fantastic brew-pub style food. Try the Reuben, Chicken Philly or Nashville Hot Fried Chicken Sandwhich!
On this particular trip, we ate at the El Dorado Kitchen, on the north-west corner of Sonoma Square. It has a great menu with something for everyone. We shared things like the leek soup with smoked salmon and chives, the lobster taquitos, and the fresh ceviche. Everything was delicious. The old El Dorado hotel is charming, and the restaurant is cozy comfortable with a great dining room and open kitchen as well as a large back patio for al fresco dining.
If you want to walk off a few calories, you could end your day with a short walk across the square to the historic Mission. The Mission San Francisco Solano was the Northernmost post on the Spanish Mission Trail. The State Park here houses the historic barracks, General Vallejo’s house, and of course, the Mission itself. Lots of great free historic stuff to wander through in the barracks building, or pay the $3 for the self-guided full Mission tour.
Also peek into the historic Toscano Hotel, or swing through the Swiss Hotel (hang out at the very old school bar!) or Ledson Hotel. All very cool. Watch for the plaques throughout the town which give you historical information. When you need a snack to take hime, grab some cheese or artisan salami from the Sonoma Cheese Factory. If you want some great vino, stop by for a tasting at one our two favorite Wineries for PinotNoir and Chardonnay: Three Sticks, which is housed in the historic Adobe home built by General Vallejo’s men, the oldest remaining adobe in California, or go see our favorite tasting room hosts Michael and Jeanette at Walt Wines (which I’ve discussed in a prior post called “The Carneros Resort, the Oxbow Market, and a Knock-Out Pinot Noir”). Enjoy this amazing town full of history, fun, and great food, and come back often!
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