By Tom Samarati
August 2008
Sonoma CA. Bucolic, cute. A town small enough to be stress free, yet big enough to provide visitors with a full day of fun. Almost everybody comes here for the wine, but there’s more to do than just sip fermented grape juice.
I live here. Yet I’m a tourist every time I go out. I meet new people almost every day. Businesses open and close, new owners take over established storefronts. It’s a dynamic small town. You’ll feel the energy during you visit.
A Perfect Day? Obviously this a very personal call, here’s my criteria: Park the car and forget it. Walk enough to enjoy the day, but not a whole lot since this is not an exercise routine. We’re going to eat 3 great tasting meals (and maybe a snack or 2) without overdrawing the bank account. Of course we’re going to taste some wine. And we’re going to visit the more interesting gift, art, & house ware shops.
Let’s go!
If you arrive from the south, drive up Broadway, you’ll dead end at the town plaza. Turn right. We’re going to park the car for the day close to the historical Town Plaza, but not on it because there’s a 2 hour parking limit. Drive east 1 or 2 streets on Napa Street or one street north to Spain Street, where parking is free all day long.
Walk back to the west side of the Plaza. Go to the Visitor center. . Peruse the info pamphlet kiosk and ask the information hostess about local points of interest. Maybe there’s a planned event happening. You’ll get some authentic Sonoma flavor when you visit that.
Since you’ve been driving for while, you need a snack and a moment to get oriented. If you arrived early and want a breakfast try:
• The Bistro (across the street from the visitor center)
• El Dorado Kitchenette (corner of West 1st and Spain)
• Sunflower café (100 feet south of the eldorado Kitchen restaurant)
Sonoma is California’s first American capitol. The bear flag revolt happened here, back in 1846. General Fremont generated a revolt against the Mexican Government and easily defeated the Mexican defenses at Olompali near Novato & Sonoma. Walk the building on the north side of the plaza to visit the Mission, & the soldier’s barracks. A little later we’ll walk down west Spain street to General Vallejo’s home.
Now go west on Spain Street. A house décor shop worth visiting is Summer vine. Therein are wine country themed items that would make a great gift or a high quality souvenir of your visit. Prices are fair.
Cross west 1st street. There’s the Sonoma Hotel and The girl and the Fig restaurant. Highly recommended for lunch dinner. Go in and make a reservation. This is my favorite restaurant in Sonoma, it’s lusty French bistro food.
Keep walking west on West Spain St., just 100 feet past Girl & the Fig restaurant is Castle wines which is a relatively small label that makes excellent fruit forward wines. The tasting room is an old house. Small, quaint, the tasting bar is hardly bigger than your computer work desk. Bottles cost $13 to $40. Good value.
Back on the street proceed west ¼ mile to General Vallejo’s Home. This is a California state historical park. Admission price is a whopping $2. The tour of the house & grounds gives a feel of life back in the mid 1800’s.
Back to Spain Street. Are you in the mood for a picnic instead of a restaurant lunch? Go to west 5th street. Walk south one street. The Sonoma market has the best ready-to-eat gourmet deli in Nor CAL. Walk in & be amazed. The place blows Whole Foods away! There are 100’s of warm & cold items on the carts. And behind the deli cases the guys will make some of the best sandwiches you’ve ever eaten. Get your goodies, pay and walk south to West Napa Street and turn east back towards the plaza.
If you didn’t buy dessert at the Sonoma market, the next stop is what you need. 3 streets backs towards the town plaza is Fiorini’s Italian bakery. It’s small, but makes the mst delicious authentic cookies & cakes. Stella’s bakery on Columbus in SF wishes their cookies were this good. Load up for now, or get a box to take home.
Okay, back to the plaza for the picnic. On the north side of the plaza are picnic tables. Supposedly public outdoor wine consumption is not legal, but under the oak trees at the picnic tables the police never enforce the ordinance. Eat the lunch leisurely. Restrooms are back inside the visitor center.
Okay time for more exploring.
Go to East 1st street. In the El Paseo alley is Hipkiss Art gallery. This small place has comical paintings & ceramic work. The items are whimsical to the max.
The Sonoma Wine exchange has a good selection if you want a one-stop shop to sip & purchase local vintages.
Lisa Kristine Photo gallery is a worthy stop-in & look. The vibrant photos of exotic locales are mesmerizing.
Artifax has items by local artists, jewelers, & sculptors.
The Town Square (or the “TS” as locals say) is the workin' stiffs watering hole. Come back in the evening to meet some of the local denizens. Boozy Week-end evenings can get rowdy.
This side of the plaza has 2 alleyways that open up to a sundry of tiny sized shops. There are chocolate makers, clothing boutiques, jewelry. In a few minutes you can get the gist.
If you’re a British / Irish PUB lover, Murphy’s is Sonoma’s spot. It gets real lively after sundown. Get your pint of Guinness here.
Proceed south to West Napa. Turn left for a few more shops. On this street are Café La Haye (deluxe dining in a small storefront), a used bookstore, a comedy gift shop, Della Santini’s Italian family dining, Rin Thai restaurant. Check the menus for dinner possibilities.
Walk east to 4th street. When West Napa dead-ends turn left walk north 100 feet. You’re at Sebastiani winery and tasting room. This is the largest in Sonoma. The gift shop is a local favorite, lots of Italian style house gifts on display. Prices are fair.
That’s the outer limit to this walk; let’s head back to the plaza.
On the south side of Napa Street across from the plaza are more shops and one alleyway. Check out the menu at Maya restaurant. It’s Sonoma local’s favorite Mexican restaurant. Another local favorite shop on the street is the Church Mouse Thrift store. It’s a Goodwill shop on steroids. I usually find something of interest. My visits have yielded real Armani suits for $30. A 1920’s USA made accordion in perfect condition, depression glassware,
and antique curiosities.
Go west 150 feet. Cross Broadway & turn left. Go south 300 feet. The Sonoma Art museum is open Wednesday thru Sunday 11:00am to 6:00pm. Though small compared to the big city museums, the Sonoma Valley Art museum has impressive displays and rotating shows.
Go back up to the plaza. Work your way down Napa Street to West 1street. Turn left go 100 feet. Check out the Red Grape restaurant. They hand make pizza with 100% local farm fresh ingredients. The pasta all comes from the Sonoma Pasta factory located 100 feet away. This is gourmet Pasta Pomodoro food. Two adults can eat heartedly and drink a bottle of wine for $50.
Walk back north on West 1st Street. More shops and good restaurants abound. Notably Harvest Moon restaurant makes a limited nightly fresh menu; the back patio is a peaceful retreat on warm evenings. The Sign of the Bear is a good kitchen shop.
Red Wolf Art gallery is a must see for local sculpture and paintings – There’s a real healthy sense of humor to the art here.
A little further up the street is the El Dorado Kitchen. Fine dining here.
And we’ve made a full circle tour. If you ran out of day and want to stay overnight so you can explore more tomorrow, there are 2 hotels on Broadway. The deluxe accommodations are The Lodge of Sonoma, and Macarthur Place. Check the visitor’s center for a wider variety of local hotels, motels, and bed & breakfasts.
Enjoy your stay!
