Sonoma State Historic Park

Park Information

Park Contacts
Administrative Office: 707-769-5652 |  Mission San Francisco Solano: 707-938-9560

Vallejo Home:  707-938-9559  |  Photo, Film & Special Event Permits: 707-939-6188 sonoma.events@parks.ca.gov

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About Sonoma SHP

Unlike most parks with a single plot of land and a continuous boundary, Sonoma State Historic Park is a scattering of historical sites consisting of six midtown locations near Sonoma's Plaza.  Off the Sonoma Plaza are: Mission San Francisco Solano, the Blue Wing Inn, Sonoma Barracks, the Toscano Hotel & Kitchen, and the Servants Quarters (the remains of La Casa Grande).  General Vallejo's Home, also called Lachryma Montis, is less than a mile west of the Plaza. It was the estate of General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, Military Commander and Director of Colonization of the Northern Frontier and founder of Pueblo de Sonoma.  The headquarters of Vallejo's Petaluma Adobe Rancho is also preserved as a separate unit of the State Park system and can be visited the same day with paid admission to Sonoma State Historic Park.

Facilities

Free Public parking is located behind the Sonoma Barracks off of First Street West.  Public restrooms are located in the Sonoma BarracksCourtyard.
The Sonoma Plaza offers a variety of restaurants, shops and the Sonoma Valley Visitor's Bureau.  Dogs are not allowed in historic buildings. Dogs on a leash are allowed on the bikepath between the Mission and the Vallejo Home. Collecting or destroying anything in the park, including mushrooms, is prohibited.

Exhibits
The Sonoma Mission houses historical exhibits, an art exhibition, museum chapel and courtyard while the Sonoma Barracks across the street houses additional historic exhibits among several museum rooms along with our association's bookstore and gift shop. The Vallejo Home has furnishings of the Vallejo family, historic and serene gardens, a resevoir and a Visitor Center and Museum in the adjacent "Chalet".

Visitors to the park can also stroll through the streets surrounding the town’s historic central plaza or travel via the city's hike and bike path on the west side.

Seasons/Climate/Recommended clothing

The weather in Sonoma is ever-changing; layered clothing is recommended.  Hot, dry summers with cool, wet winters.

April Events

 

Special Events March 2023

Women Pioneer Historians of Sonoma Lecture~ Thursday, March 16th, 7:00pm

In honor of Women’s History Month, April Farnham will be discussing early women historians of Sonoma. These pioneering women tell a unique story of Sonoma’s past that reflects their family backgrounds, education, occupation, and social status as well as political influences. Lecture will be held in the Sonoma Mission Chapel. Admission at the door: $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for SPParks members.

Campfire Program Sonoma ~ Saturday, March 18th, 6:00pm-7:00pm

Get your Spring off to a great start by enjoying a campfire, with songs, and marshmallow roast at our monthly program. This is an experience that’s fun for everyone! Enter through the wooden gates and proceed into the Sonoma Barracks Courtyard for a short educational talk, singing a few traditional tunes, and a tasty marshmallow/s’mores roast! All ages welcome, free of charge. Steady rain cancels.

Mountain Lion Lecture: Thursday, March 23rd, 7:00 pm. Doors open at 6:30pm

Our evening lecture welcomes Dr. Quinton Martins, Ph.D., Biologist and Researcher studying Mountain Lion activity in the area. Dr. Martins will give an overview of these beautiful animals and discuss the latest research and findings. Learn how we can coexist with the wildlife around us. Sonoma Barracks AV room. 36 East Spain Street. Admission at the door: $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for SPParks members. Children 12 and younger and docents free of charge.

Seasonal Marshlands of the Park. Sunday, March 26th, 11:30am-2:30pm

Explore the park’s open space as it turns to natural wetlands. Discover what plant and aquatic life exist in the vernal pond areas. Look for the State Park vehicle along the bike path off of 3rd Street West. This roving program runs continuously between noon and 3pm. Suggested: Rain boots or waterproof shoes. This free event is part of the California State Parks Junior Ranger program. No reservation required. Steady rain cancels.

School Tours and Education

Volunteer in Parks Program

Curious about volunteer opportunities? Sonoma State Historic Park and Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park are closely related cultural history sites that thrive witih activity through a variety of volunteer roles.   

Opportunities exist in docent tours, museum curation, bookstore sales, landscape maintenance, demonstrations, period clothing program and special events. Visit Sonoma Petaluma Parks, Inc. for events to attend and introduce yourself.  We want to meet you!

To express your interest in the Volunteers in Parks Program (VIPP) with California State Parks, choose a link below to apply and specify your park of interest. Send application or additional inquiry to the VIPP Lead at tyler.markley@parks.ca.gov

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Docent Tours are limited at this time.

Please call ahead to confirm if a docent is scheduled.  Self-guided tour sheets are always available.

Mission San Francisco Solano: 707-938-9560        Vallejo Home:  707-938-9559

 

Site	Day of the Week	Time
Sonoma Mission Tours	Friday, Saturday and Sunday	11am to 3pm
Sonoma Barracks Tours	Saturday and Sunday	11am to 3pm
Vallejo's Home Tours	Saturday and Sunday	1pm to 3pm
Toscano Hotel & Kitchen Tours	Saturday and Sunday	1pm to 3pm

 

Private Group Tours are available by reservation in advance through Sonoma Petaluma Parks, Inc. (SPParks)
Private Group Tour Reservation