Day Out in Sonoma Part II: Historic Sites

In our last look at the town of Sonoma we focused on the historic Sonoma Plaza, picnicing, and places to pick up lunch supplies. The Plaza itself is surrounded by the historic remains of the old Mexican town of Sonoma, which dates back to the founding of Mission San Francisco Solano by Father José Altamira in the 1820s. Sites include the mission itself, the remains of General Mariano Vallejo's Casa Grande, the Sonoma Barracks, the Blue Wing Inn, the Toscano Hotel, and Lachryma Montis, Vallejo's Victorian home, which is located a short distance from the Plaza. The park is a great way to learn about California history, especially since Sonoma is the site of the 1846 Bear Flag Revolt which proclaimed the California Republic and marked the beginning of the end for Mexican domination of the state.

The park buildings are open daily from 10 am to 5 pm (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day). Admission is a paltry $2 for adults, and kids are free. Your ticket will also get you into the Petaluma Adobe, in case you're headed in that direction later on. Guided tours are offered, too. Check with the park's website for more information and times.

The Barracks features a small museum, a reconstructed barracks room showing soldier's quarters from the 1840s, a theater, and a gift shop, where you can purchase your admission tickets. In addition to the tours mentioned above, they occasionally present demonstrations such as musket and cannon firing. Next to the barracks is the Toscano Hotel, which offers daily tours of this 19th-century hotel and kitchen.

Head across the street to Mission San Francisco Solano. Sonoma's mission is the last and northernmost mission on the old El Camino Real. It's also the only misssion founded under Mexican, rather than Spanish authority; it was established in 1823 after the Mexican War of Independence, which lasted from 1810 to 1821. There's a small gift shop and admission desk at the entrance. Much of the building is devoted to exhibits, including mission artifacts, rooms depicting mission life, and paintings and models of other California missions. The mission chapel has been restored to it's early 19th-century appearance and features a colorful altar and paintings. In back, there's a large and pleasant courtyard with a fountain and restrooms in the far corner. Church services are occasionally held in the chapel.

Further afield is Lachryma Montis, the home of General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, the last Mexican commandante of Northern California. Lachryma Montis ("Tear of the Mountain") is a carpenter gothic Victorian house built in 1851–1852. There's also a brick warehouse, referred to at the "Swiss Chalet," that serves as a visitor center. Tour the house on your own or take part in one of the guided tours. There's also a pond and surrounding gardens, which make it a pleasant spot to linger. There's a picnic area behind the house, too. Lachryma Montis is off of West Spain Street between First and Third Streets West. To get there on foot or via bicycle, follow the paved bike path that runs through town. It's just east of the Plaza near Depot Park. Head west on the bike path until it intersects the tree-lined road to Lachryma Montis. Turn right and follow the road to the house.