Open Daily 10am - 5pm.
Sonoma State Historic Park
Phone Number
(707) 938-9560
Park Hours
Dogs Allowed?
Yes
Dogs allowed only in historic zone and developed areas. Dogs not allowed in the following areas: trails, dirt roads, backcountry areas, historic buildings, and historic gardens.
Driving Directions to Sonoma SHP
The park's main office address: 363 3rd Street West, Sonoma, California 95476-5632.Online reservations are not available for this park.
Upcoming Park Events
No events scheduled at this moment.
Historical/Cultural Site
Picnic Areas
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Guided Tours
Interpretive Exhibits
Museums
Family Programs
Parking
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
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
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.
May Events
Campfire Program Sonoma ~ Saturday, May 13, 7:00pm-8:00pm
Come out and enjoy a warm campfire, songs, and a 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.
Lecture: The Chinese in Wine Country. Thursday May 18, at 7pm
Author John McCormick will discuss how Chinese workers were critical to both the Sonoma and Napa Valley e4conomies in the late 1800’s. Come join us and learn about this often-forgotten piece of California and North Bay history. The Sonoma Mission Chapel, 114 East Spain Street. Admission at the door is, $10 for the public, $5 for SPParks members, free for docents and parks staff.
Afternoon Hike ~ Sunday, May 21, 11am–12:30pm
The hike explores the lower Montini Preserve Trail. Experience history, nature, and community lead by a Park Interpretive Specialist. This slow-paced hike is a little over one mile in length with minor elevation changes. Sturdy shoes and water recommended). Meet at the Vallejo Home parking lot at the end of 3rd Street West. All ages welcome. Free of charge, no reservation needed.
Tuesday Sonoma Market Nights!
We are back! Come by and explore our exhibit and information tables to see what’s happening in our beautiful Sonoma State Historic Park and beyond! We will have our Junior Ranger Program offering various educational and fun activities for kids along with our regular topics such as: State Parks, wildlife animals, fire ecology and much more. Our mascot: Sonomie Bear will also be on hand with a BIG smile for everyone!
School Tours and Education
Environmental Studies Program and Guided School Tours
If interested in the Environmental Studies Program (ESP) at Mission San Francisco Solano which is an all day program where students get hands-on and learn about life at a California mission. Contact Tyler M. at tyler.markley@parks.ca.gov for more information.
Guided School Tours are also avalible at Mission San francisco Solano and the Vallejo Home. For information on these 45 minute tours please contact April F. at april.farnham@parks.ca.gov for more information.
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
Docents are avaliable for both public and private tours.
For private tours please call ahead or email tyler.markley@parks.ca.gov to check for prices and avaliability.
We always suggest to call ahead to confirm if a docent is scheduled if you hope to catch a public tour of one of our historic locations.
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