Sonoma State Historic Park

Sonoma State Historic Park is centered around Sonoma Plaza. More than a dozen buildings important to early California history can be explored. The Toscano Hotel and Sonoma Barracks are on the plaza. The hotel, built during the 1850s, resembles its turn-of-the-20th-century appearance. The two-story, partially restored adobe barracks once housed Mexican general Mariano Vallejo's troops. Following the raising of the Bear Flag in 1846, the building was used by U.S. troops.

The 1823 Mission San Francisco Solano de Sonoma was the last of the California missions, which were located a day's journey apart along the coast. Destroyed and rebuilt several times, it contains exhibits about mission life as well as the Jorgensen watercolors of the Missions of California. Gen. Vallejo's former home, Lachryma Montis, contains family furnishings, and there are gardens on the grounds. Near the house is the Chalet, a building originally used to store wine and produce; it is now the park's visitor center. The mission can be seen on a self-guiding tour.

Several guided tours are available.

Time: Allow 1 hour minimum.