Historic Sonoma Plaza
Sonoma plaza is the perfect mix of a rich historical tradition and modern sophistication. Located in the center of one of the most elegant wine-growing regions in the world, the city of Sonoma’s historic town square manages to have retained its small-town personality in the middle of a burgeoning wine empire. Complete with spas, upscale eateries, a relaxing open-air plaza, and a California mission, this town focal point is a true testament to the blend of old times and modernity that characterizes the entirety of the Sonoma Valley.
The plaza has a rich history and was involved in much of the state of California’s development. Though the square is now the formal town square of the city of Sonoma, the region has humble beginnings in the form of several Native American settlements. The Miwok, Pomo and Wintun people all occupied the area, taking advantage of the same fertile soil and good weather now adored by wine connoisseurs throughout the world. However, the town, directly adjacent to where the town square now stands, soon became known as “El Pueblo de Sonoma” after the settling of the spot by Mexican church leader Father Joseph Altimira. The Mission San Francisco Solano was built but promptly taken over by the Mexican army, prompting the creation of a military barracks (that still stands facing the modern town square today) and the basic layout of the town square itself. The commanding officer Guadalupe Vallejo spearheaded this construction, crafting the town much as would be a traditional Mexican village: with a large town square at its center. However, Vallejo’s military presence here did not last forever.
In 1846, revolutionaries calling themselves members of the “Bear Flag Republic” took power from the mighty Vallejo in a coup at the center of this historic town square. The individuals represented Colonel John Fremont and ordered that they were officially declaring the independence of California from Mexican rule. Their tactic worked, and the short-lived Bear Flag Republic was headquartered at this square until earning statehood in 1850.
