Sonoma State Historic Park: Six Sites Around the Plaza, From California's Last Mission to the Bear Flag Barracks

Walk around Sonoma Plaza and you pass much of early California history.

The sites

The park has six sites: Mission San Francisco Solano, the Sonoma Barracks, the Blue Wing Inn, La Casa Grande, Lachryma Montis and the Toscano Hotel, according to Wikipedia. It was founded in 1909 with only the mission, and the state added the other sites over the years. Many are tied to Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo.

The history

Mission San Francisco Solano, founded in 1823, was the 21st, last and northernmost mission in Alta California. It was the only one built after Mexico gained independence from Spain, partly to keep the Russians at Fort Ross from moving inland. The Sonoma Barracks became headquarters of the short-lived 1846 insurrection known as the Bear Flag Revolt. The Blue Wing Inn, begun in 1836 as a one-story adobe home, is reputed to be the first hotel in California north of San Francisco.

Visiting

State Parks says the sites are open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Museum admission is $3 for adults and $2 for youth, and free for children 5 and under. The main office is at 20 E. Spain St. In April, the park announced a concession opportunity for a historic-style event space and lodging.