When I grew up in the region the Plaza in Sonoma was a great place to visit with my friends and many a summer afternoon was spent there.  Coming back all these years later, from the surface it doesn’t appear to have changed much; it’s the same square with its beautiful park, the mission and barracks in their arrested state of decay and many of the same shops and stores are still there, owned by the same families who have been there for decades. 

But the Plaza has changed, gone are the free roaming chickens that had called the Plaza home for as long as I can remember.  The small, family owned shops weren’t considered “boutiquey” or “quaint” in those days, the hotels just seemed like old buildings to us kids, not historic and had certainly not been renovated to be the modern and trendy establishments they are today.  There had been no ‘Paris Tasting’ in those days and although there were several wineries and vineyards in the area (jokingly referred to as  Sonapanoma” in a wine country commercial of the time), it was only beginning to aspire to be recognized on the world stage.  In fact, one of the counties great agricultural claims to fame was the largest turkey ranch in the world, the Nicolas Turkey Ranch out on Napa Road.

Still the center of the community as it has always been, it is impossible to miss that Sonoma is the center of a thriving wine region.  There are no fewer than 18 wineries that offer tastings in the area and several wine shops.  In addition, there are numerous hotels and spas, restaurants and shops; upscale shops that offer clothing, furniture, kitchen wares, jewelry and lots of wine related items.  The Sonoma Cheese Factory on the Plaza is a personal favorite that, in addition to great cheese offers gift items, wonderful food and even has a wine tasting bar in the back. 

When you are wandering around the plaza be sure to check out all the little alleys and side streets, there is more here than just a quick look around will reveal.  There is something to explore in every corner.  Plan to spend a whole day and into the evening in and around the town center, there is that much to do.  Make sure to walk through the park and look at the memorial of the Bear Flag Revolt and go through the mission and barracks.  It is worth the time to experience a place where such a big part of California history and the origins of winemaking in the north state took place.  Don’t miss the Wine Hardware store less than a block down Broadway.  This is a must for the true wine lover. 

While we were there we had dinner at Murphy’s Irish Pub because sometimes after a day of wine tasting a good micro brew tastes pretty good. The food was good, but it is not a four star restaurant, it is a pub with a great selection of beers and wines.  If you are lucky you will be there for one of their live music performances.  It can be great fun.  Below is a list of the tasting rooms we found in or near the Sonoma Plaza:

Mayo Family Winery
489 First Street East
Sonoma Plaza, Sonoma, CA   707-996-9911
Daily  11:00  to 6:00
The tasting room for Mayo is located on the corner of 1st St East and East Main Streets on the south east corner of the Plaza.  A store and tasting room in one, it has a beautiful full length, dark wood bar and a great gift shop specializing in wine and kitchen products. Continued