Sonoma

Sonoma can refer to the historic town of Sonoma in the Sonoma Valley of Sonoma County, California, as well as to the surrounding county and the wine-producing region centered there. The city sits about 40 miles north of San Francisco and is the site of Mission San Francisco Solano, the northernmost of the California Missions, founded in 1823. The town’s central business district revolves around the historic Sonoma Plaza.

The broader Sonoma Valley and Sonoma County lie in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. The climate is generally Mediterranean, with cool to moderate temperatures, fog in summer, and dry summers, favorable to wine grapes grown in a mix of valleys and coast-influenced sites. Soils are diverse, including volcanic loams, sandstone, and alluvial sediments.

The economy is dominated by wine production, tourism, and agriculture. Sonoma County is one of the United States’ leading wine regions, with numerous appellations such as Sonoma Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley, and Sonoma Coast, producing varieties including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine industry supports a network of wineries, tasting rooms, and agritourism.

History: Long before European contact, Coast Miwok and Pomo peoples inhabited the region. Spanish missionaries established Mission San Francisco Solano in 1823. In 1846, Sonoma was the site of the Bear Flag Revolt, and for a brief time served as the capital of the California Republic during its independence from Mexico. California soon became part of the United States after the Mexican-American War.