The Sonoma Mission on an unusually cloudy day. It is the northernmost of the 18th-century Spanish and Mexican mission churches. Only a simple chapel and one part of the original complex are still standing. The mission is on the northeast corner of the original Mexican plaza. City Hall is in the center of the plaza, and the historical buildings are nearby. The plaza still appear to be the center of commercial activity, with many of the restaurants and shops in the immediate vicinity. I stayed for a second time in the Sonoma Hotel, a late 19th-cebtrury building on the northwest corner of the plaza. Each evening I dined in a restaurant within walking distance.
Sausal Winery on CA 128 in the Alexander Valley specializing in zinfandel
a large 20th-century house in Petaluma
view of the vineyards from Chateau Souverain
I had a lunch of grilled salmon on their terrasse on August 12
RESTAURANTS in the Town of Sonoma
The Girl and the FIg. W Spain St next to the Sonoma Hotel. Enjoyed their prix fixe on the popular enclosed patio behind the restaurant. August 10.
La Salette. Down a passageway on the east side of the plaza. The cooking and decor are Portugese. Fresh anchovies to start followed by slow-cooked lamb shank. August 11.
Plaza Bistro. A sophisticated place on the east side of the plaza with a busy bar and some tables on the street. Tomato salad, then halibut over a Parmesan risotto. August 12.
The Girl and the Fig. Salmon special at a table in the main dining room. August 13.
The General's Daughter at W Spain and 4th is also recommended. It is in a house that General Vallejo built for his daughter, hence the name.
Viansa Winery operates a restaurant on the northeast corner of the plaza (opposite the mission). (Closed as of late 2006.) It is locally popular but may not serve quite as sophisticated cooking as the others. The winery itself is southwest of town on CA 121. The main building is the tasting room and sells take-out food. There a lots of picnic tables around it with stunning views. Go for lunch on a sunny day.
WINERIES in and around Town
Buena Vista. 18000 Old Winery Road. Founded by Agoston Haraszthy, considered to be the father of winemaking in Northern California.
Gundlach-Bundschu. 2000 Denmark Street. Founded in 1858 by Jacob Gundlach and operated by his descendents. Specializes in German varietals.
Sebastiani. 389 Fourth St. E. Still owned by the Sebastiani family, originally from Tuscany.
Ravenswood. 18701 Gehricke Road. Specializes in zinfandel.
SONOMA COUNTY WINERIES
Clos du Bois.
Simi. 16275 Healdburg Ave. on the northern edge of Healdsburg.
Dry Creek. 3770 Lambert Bridge Road.
Chateau Souverain. Just west of US 101 at the Independence Lane exit. Tasting room and cafe.
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