Mission San Francisco Solano
Visiting the Mission
Today, the mission is part of the Sonoma State Historic Park and serves as a museum.
Location: 114 East Spain Street, Sonoma, CA 95476.
Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day).
Admission: Approximately $3.00 for adults (includes access to the Sonoma Barracks and General Vallejo's Home).
Key Features: The site includes a restored 1840 chapel, the original "Padres' Quarters" (the oldest building in Sonoma), and a courtyard with a commemorative wall honoring the Native Americans who lived and worked there.
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Historic Sites
- Museums
- Historic Walking Tours
Which park is the best for a day hike?
The largest park in Sonoma is the Jack London State Historic Park, offering organized hikes, guided tours, and even horseback hiding. There are 20 miles of trails winding through the different areas of the park, from the old Bath House and Mary's Clearing to the Historic Orchard, Woodcutter's Meadow, and Pine Tree Meadows. Park guests can explore it all starting from the main visitors' area, where a detailed park map is available. Bag lunches are recommended and the park requests that you take all trash with you for disposal or recycling.
Which historic site is best for children?
The Bear Flag Monument is a great site for kids to see. This plaque is mounted on a large boulder at the Sonoma Plaza near Sonoma State Historic Park. The people of Sonoma played a role in the Mexican American war by creating the California Republic flag in 1846 when Sonoma was part of Alta California, Mexico. The new flag symbolized that the United States of America was going to claim and fight for the area. Sonoma State Historic Park is also smaller and therefore easier to cover.