Sonoma Plaza Reviews

Having been born and raised (mostly) in Sonoma there have been a few changes to the Plaza. The children's playgrounds have been modernized. When I was in high school in the 1960's, I did all the welding on a covered wagon type jungle gym for the "big kids park". It was there for many years until the upgrade. The City has the same façade on all four sides as the plaza merchants ALL wanted it to face their businesses. The large doors were for the fire engine as it also housed the Fire Dept. at one time. General "Hap" Arnolds collection of model airplanes was still there when I was a kid. When the City decided they needed more office space the collection was sent to the Air Force Academy in Colorado. I know many Sonoma stories, and have even heard the Fire Bell on top of City Hall being rung once when Chief of Police Macintosh went up in the Copula and rang it for the Vintage Festival.
Well worth a walk in the park AND a visit to Mary's Pizza on the north side of the plaza is a MUST!

Whether you come here in the middle of winter when people are out walking and chatting or on the busiest day or night in the summer (July 4th parade) or Sonoma City Park Night, you will love the square. In the summer, there is Tuesday night market from May to Septermber. All the vendors come out and share their wares. People bring blankets at night and enjoy the music. There is dancing, laughter, and lots of fun.
There are restaurants surrounding the square as well as all kinds of cute little shops. It's a place you will enjoy and can keep going back to. It's different every time Love it!

The Sonoma plaza has it all: huge ancient trees (check out the huge eucalyptus), monuments, a fountain with white ducks paddling away and lots of benches. Just a great place to relax and regroup after shopping or a place to enjoy a meal al fresco. The visitor bureau is on 1st street east. City hall, an architectural treasure is off E. Napa street. On the first Tuesday of the month, there is a farmer's market. Shops and restaurants galore line the outside of the plaza. Lots to do and see.

Wife and I spent an afternoon strolling the shops here. Great time. Very clean and down home. We thoroughly enjoyed our time here. We even bought a few things.

We stopped in Sonoma briefly for an hour or so while on a Napa Valley wine tasting tour. We discovered a small heavily decorated alleyway - Sonoma Plaza - hidden gem next to the ice cream store. The Plaza had a fountain that was foaming with chemicals and a chocolate / wine store. There was nobody around and the doors were closed. We tried to open the choc store door but it wouldn’t open. It was lunchtime. Bit disappointing so we took a photo and went for ice cream. The town is very pretty and relies on tourists passing through.

Going back in time to great american towns, full of fun and beautiful. Loved this place. There are many restaurants, wine tastings rooms and bars, the architectural design makes you feel a lot younger.

This plaza was just a few miles down the road from where we were staying so we ended up here quite frequently at night after venturing out to various different places during the day. Very pretty, fun to wander from shop to shop, good selection of restaurants available, ice cream shop, cheese and wine tastings also here, a few of our favorite places during our trip were actually found here! Loved it and definitely would recommend stopping to walk around at least once :)

There is a lot to see in wine country and this is one of the centers. A good place to buy some food for a picnic, or do some gift shopping. Lots of great places to eat. Very pretty.

Great town plaza, lots of very good restaurants, wine, cheese, chocolate etc...Friendly folks, even some peaceful DACA protesters on the plaza. We had fun!

So many things to do here and it is not big. Many wine stores and restaurants around the plaza, also a barracks museum very interesting to visit and go back in time. Many cute shops to explore too!

I love the Square in Sonoma and keep returning year after year. Not only are there are great restaurants stores and bars, there are also great wineries to go in and have a tasting. There are also all the roads that lead in and out of the square that also have wonderful bakeries and different stores to wander through. We have also gone into the market and bought a bottle of wine and food and had a picnic in the center of the square which is surrounded by trees and a beautiful park. Shop till you drop but make sure you drop with a glass of wine in your hand!

Great plaza middle of town. Sonoma Cheese Factory for tasting jack cheeses, Sonoma Chocolate Co for hand made fabulous chocolate like no other anywhere, many boutique shops and tasting rooms. Great for family adventure. The fort and mission San Francisco are right on the square. Plan to spend a few hours and have lunch and shop. Loved our visit.

This is the downtown of Sonoma. A square, a block on each side, surrounding a park and courthouse etc. All around are shops, restaurants, etc. Lots of lovely places to pop in during a lovely stroll around the square.

This tiny town square is wonderfully picturesque, we were passing through during a visit to the valley for a winery tour. There are a fair number of amenities around including a cinema, kids play area, shops, wine tasting bars and restaurants. Worth a look if travelling nearby.

I love the Sonoma Plaza! The entire atmosphere is lovely for couples and families. I recommend having a picnic in the park.

We went to Sonoma on Valentine’s Day and it was 68 degrees of beautiful sunny weather. The whole town is full of history, historical sites with friendly volunteers and quaint little shops. We even saw a couple of friendly Clydesdale horses. We had a romantic walk through town and then ate a late lunch at one of the many restaurants in town and just enjoyed the day.

Lovely place to spend some time. Surrounded by shops and restaurants. We could have spent much more time there if we had arrived earlier in the day.

We really enjoyed a lovely walk and shopping in Sonoma Plaza. Lots of interesting shops and many places to stop for a glass of wine or a cold beer. Enjoyable

We stopped here for lunch when touring the Sonoma wineries. It has a wide range of restaurants, shops and banks, a good ice cream shop and free wine tastings. There is enough here to keep you engaged for a couple of hours.

The Sonoma Plaza provides a rich experience for people watchers, foodies, and shoppers. The Tuesday evening (begins at 5:30pm) farmer's market has food trucks, fresh fruits and vegetables and a few stalls with things to buys such as soap, honey, bread and hand made jewelry. Wonderful community setting with music for families and picnics. Many great restaurants and interesting stores around the plaza as well. Well worth a visit.

Beautiful historic plaza flanked with shops around the four sides. Many of the shops are tasting rooms which is a shame as there is only so much wine a person can drink in a day. Wish there were some more variety with the shops but I hear the rents are just through the roof so only wineries can afford to be here.

My husband and I enjoyed browsing the shops and had a delightful lunch at a basque bulangerie! At night time the central building was outlined in Christmas lights- it was lovely!!!

So many attractions!
My 'musts' are Red Grape patio for onion rings and say "dig deep" clam chowder bowl.

Then cooking supply store ,The Sonoma Bear, with lots of Inexpensive little gadgets like red silicone slip on handle for cast iron pans,,, and the lightest little metal pancake flipper,,, and and and ,,, the ladies all are very helpful and patient.

Then Sonoma Cheese Factory , from SW corner, up W side, to N side, for a delish deli sandwich, tri-tip and a roast beef. ;))
Wish they had Orangina liters...

So much to see and do !!
So many good-bye get wine tasting rooms within walking distance.
Even a super giggle expensive restaurant, girl & kumkuat ;o

Free lots by Red Grape or around square or behind Sonoma Cheese Factory,,, thank you Very Much ,lovely friendly superduper Sonoma!!

Beautiful town square close to the Sonoma Mission. With clothing boutiques, locally crafted jewelry, wine tasting rooms, and locally crafted novelties, you have your pink of shopping. Also, the green areas are perfect for a picnic. Bring your camera and use your photography skills with the historical buildings as your background, then enjoy a relaxing lunch and/or dinner at one or two of the many restaurants.

The Plaza itself is actually the town square. Tree covered area provides shady spots to sit on warm days. Plaza has a pond with ducks. Truly in the center of town it is surrounded by a number of shops and restaurants so it provides a pleasant place to simply wander around.

The Plaza itself makes the Town of Sonoma a great place to visit or live.

I did not know much about the Bear Flag Revolt until I visited this Plaza. For a short time, June 14, 1846 until July 9, 1846 California was it's own independent nation. You can read about it here and then do some more research into the whole story. This is a large shade and landscaped plaza in Sonoma. What a treat to have something like this in your town. I enjoyed a walk through while touring the area. Spend some time here in the now and in the past!

Always a must stop while in Sonoma. Shopping & restaurants galore. Historically beautiful buildings as well

We were staying at the Swiss Hotel on the Plaza, so enjoyed a couple of laps around the square shopping in the boutiques and even visited two tasting rooms! I bought a pair of jeans in the little Chico's boutique, we had dinner one night at the hotel and the other night at the Red Grape (great pizza). Roche is a perfect place to taste wines and sit around outdoors by the fire pits meeting other travelers. We also visited Roessler---nice folks and very knowledgeable. The little park and duck pond with fountains was a plus for good photo ops too! This was fun!

Sonoma Plaza is such a fun place to visit. So many restaurants, numerous wine tasting rooms on the plaza, local shops, great ice scream store, small movie theater all located on four blocks in the center of town. Also, a great local hike called the Sonoma Overlook trail just a few blocks from the town square. A number of hotels just a few blowks from the plaza so you really don't have to drive when you stay here.

We stayed in December and the Plaza is all lit up with Christmas lights on all of the trees. Absolutely gorgeous. Can't wait to visit again.

From the old Spanish barracks to the museum and architecture there is much to see and visit in Sonoma. The majestic trees in the plaza give shade and also add to the beauty of the surroundings.

So much history along side modern shops. Worth a visit. The plaza has a pond, which had ducks in it, on one side of the plaza and a statue commemorating the rising of the Bear Flag, which happened in the plaza. There are many benches and picnic tables, along with 2 play structures and swings for the kids to play on. We walked around the town and stopped here eat the lunches we brought and run around before we drove home.

Thoroughly enjoyed strolling through this plaza, enjoying the restaurants and the ice cream in the evenings! Beautiful park as well

A great little square in a very quaint town. Lots of stores and restaurants around it. Big trees with lots of benches to sit and relax or enjoy an ice cream.

I'm not that much into historical stuff usually, but there are definitely some interesting historical things around the square (see if you notice the cool thing about their town hall). And there are lots of picnic tables, water features, paths, etc.

Lots of history in Sonoma town but I felt it was very much underplayed. Not enough places that serve good food and drink. And nothing on the square itself utilizing the green space better.

Very small little square but great place to walk around, lots of history from when the town first settled, great places to eat and taste wine!

We were here on our honeymoon and every day would walk the 1.5 miles through town to the Sonoma Plaza. We just loved it. You can find everything here and it's so quaint. I love the little alleyways with tucked away tasting rooms, shops, restaurants and bars. Such a fun little town! Everybody is also so nice!

Wonderful place to,visit. Time has forgotten the plaza and it’s great. Lots of little shops, outdoor dining and a beautifully treed park like area in which to visit, relax and eat. Many quaint hotels and bed and breakfasts. Enjoy!

Great plaza to grab lunch or coffee and enjoy nature. Beautiful water fountain and nice landscaping. Shops are around the entire square.

This huge town square is delightful in itself, with various events at different times of the year. And it's surrounded on all 4 sides by shops of all varieties -- touristy but tasteful. And between many of the shops are alleys that lead into even more shops. Lots of opportunities for food and wine tasting of course!

When I saw this park, I tried to find the name of the park. There were no signs. We went to the Visitor Bureau Sonoma and asked the name of the park: Sonoma Plaza.

I was amazed of so many flowers in this park. It even had a rose flowers. I was taking lots of pictures.

There was a beautiful playground and a pond with a fountain.

There was a monument in that park as well.

This is a must see! Beautiful!

Quaint location with a dozen wine rooms, restaurants and unique shops. Great place to live if you can afford $1M or so for a cottage off the square.

As a Sonoma resident I cannot say enough good about the ambiance of the Plaza and surrounding quaint architecture! Tuesday evening 'Farmers Market is one big community party.

So much to do in the plaza and it's totally walkable. Did I mention the Art Walk? Best walk I've ever had! Vendors/businesses in the Plaza offer local art to view and buy, they also offered yummy nibbles and in some cases a free glass of wine or two.

We were in Sonoma the weekend before, just to walk around and saw a gazillion tasting rooms, all within walking distance of the plaza. We booked a room, came back the next week and tasted as much as we could. Tastings run from $20 to $40. There are some excellent vineyards unknown to me. There are still a gazillion more that I need to taste. The Plaza itself is full of great shops and restaurants. Close by is Mariano Vallejo's House to visit and in town there is the Mission Museum and Barracks. Breathing History and Breathing the Aroma of Wine - two of my favorite things.

The square is a great place to go. There are numerous great reastaurants to go to. There are specialty stores as well as couple of bars and cheese place. Good times to be had here.

We walked around the plaza and grabbed a slice of pizza from Mary’s after we did an olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting at Figone’s. Couldn’t leave without a bag full of their amazing olive oils and balsamics!

Like many old or historic town, the Plaza at Sonoma was the center of life in old Sonoma. The Mission and military barracks are just off the plaza. This is still a beautiful plaza with shops and restaurants surrounding a central park. (Park is posted "No Dogs" however).

When you come to Sonoma County, you need to focus your visit on this plaza where you will find food and wine and culture. And you can plan your wine tastings from here. Very pretty.

Picture postcard quintessential town square with Sonoma City Hall in the centre surrounded by a park with restaurants and shops around the perimeter. A wonderful sight.

Very nice small town with interesting places to visit and relax. I recognized recommended visiting the Colonial Sonoma Plaza, Mission San Francisco and the Barracks.

I really like this place, it's got a small park in the middle, funky little pubs, historic sites, a rare nightspot, wine shops with tastings and a bunch of boutique shops for wine stuff, clothes, etc.

I bought my favorite necktie ever here.

Oh yeah..... a lot of outstanding restaurants.

Stay at one of the many walking distance B&B's. Borrow a bike. Soooooo relaxing.

This is a neat place to visit that is right in the middle of Sonoma. Close to all kinds of places to eat and wine tasting places.

We walked through the plaza many times on or way to shop, have dinner, and get ice cream at Sweet Scoops. Plentiful shade and benches, lots of people enjoying the park but it never felt crowded. Truly the heart of Sonoma!

My wife and I visited as part of a wine tour. We really loved the grassy square surrounded by cute restaurants and shops. It was relaxing and fun. We had a fantastic lunch at the vegetarian restaurant and delicious ice cream at the ice cream shop.

We regretted not scheduling more time to spend in the town of Sonoma. For every place there is to shop, there is a place to eat, and a place to taste. You really don't have to go anywhere or go far when you stay in Sonoma to have a wonderful, extremely relaxing vacation. The people are so friendly, and the town so beautiful. There were so many "rabbit holes" between buildings that took you to hidden places that were as much fun as the one on the street. Can't wait to go back.

When you come to Sonoma, there's always different wineries to visit but the place to relax and enjoy an afternoon or a day is the Plaza. You can get breakfast at the best bakery in town The Basque where all the locals go. There are a lot of wine tasting rooms, shop for jewelry or just take have a lunch at the park. There is something for everyone here at the plaza.

Perfect size. Lots of interesting shops and restaurants surrounding the leafy square. Bucolic setting well worth a visit.

My wife and I visited Sonoma Plaza the other day. It was very much a fun experience.

We had been here before, maybe 10 years ago, but we enjoyed the updated shops and restaurants. It had changed greatly in 10 years.

My wife bought some earrings from a store on the plaza and I enjoyed the calm environment.

Intersperse your wine tasting with some walking in Sonoma. Try a walk around the plaza with at stop at the Mission and then, using the same ticket, visit Vallejo's Home. From there venture up the Montini trail for the views and for a look at the old quarry. If you like hiking proceed to the Overlook Trail for a beautiful view where you can see San Francisco on a clear day. Other enjoyable hiking spots can be found at Jack London State Park in Glen Ellen or try the Regional Park for a lovely walk. Carry water and a snack - or a bottle of wine, a loaf of bread and some cheese to enjoy along the way. Your wine country experience would not be complete without some walking and you'll wonder if you are in Tuscany, France or Sonoma Valley!

We went to Sonoma Plaza. The area was festive with the lights in the park area. We went for a festive holiday dinner at the Swiss Hotel Restaurant and Bar. There are a variety of wine tasting rooms, boutiques, theater and historic mission to see at the Sonoma Plaza.

We spent a good few hours walking around the square, eating in the restaurants, sampling the ice cream and shopping in the local shops. The green in the middle is very pretty and a lovely place to relax.
Parking can be challenging but spaces open up fairly often, just keep your eyes peeled!

very nice place to be we love this town it feels like time stoped and once you are here you feel like you are part of this place

Pleasant area to walk around and view historic buildings. Central building tourism office is friendly and helpful, lots of guidance on drives and wineries. Wide variety of shops and restaurants. Worth a stop

Great place to shop, eat or just lounge in the park. Parking can be challenging but once you find a spot there is a lot to explore.

Staying here while our home is under repairs. I come here every morning about 8:00 for the first of my three walks. Getting to know the layout of the plaza and all the shops on the perimeter. Very few people out at this time of the morning which is nice. What people that are out walking are friendly.

Very clean park with no homeless people hanging around or sleeping near any of the buildings. Lots of places to sit and enjoy the fresh air and scenery. A nice way to start my day.
Other walks are after breakfast and later in the day. Try to vary my route to include the surrounding neighborhoods and local attractions.

First stop was the visitors center. Staff could not have been friendlier or more helpful. While we were there we met a woman from Wine Country Chocolates. We followed her back to her store where she gave us a tasting and tour of their beyond yummy creations. Plenty of shopping, tastings and restaurants surround the plaza. Much nicer vibe than Napa. Wish we didn’t live on the east coast, would love to be a regular to this charming downtown.

I got the feeling while browsing the stores that they have not kept up with the times and the plaza has seen better days. While trying to find stores listed on a directory, we encountered shops that have gone out of business. There were some gems, and i reviewed them separately, like The Sonoma Cheese Factory.and the Chocolate Cow. You have to hunt around for parking on the streets.

Unexpectedly lovely plaza...go on a Tues evening for the farmers market. Music, fresh veggies and a couple basic food trucks (tip: bring your own picnic basket and chairs and enjoy a summer night here!).

The park in the plaza is a lovely place to have a picnic or enjoy a bottle of wine with friends. Great playground area for the kids. There are still a number of nice shops, despite the fact that the retail area has been somewhat taken over by wine tasting rooms. The plaza is historic, as it was laid out by the towns' founder General Mariano Vallejo. You can take your picture with the general at the bench style monument on the Spain St. side of the plaza. There are also many good restaurants, most requiring reservations on the weekends if you hope to get a table.

I was amazed at the “old architecture” and the shops. Nice area to just take a stroll and take it all in.

Free parking around the square, Inner square is a large park -- cool and green with playground, water feature. Exterior square has a number of very nice (non-chain) restaurants, shops and inns.

Really nice cookware store - not Williams-Sonoma :)!

We came to Sonoma one day and visited the welcome center in the vintage Carnegie Library and pick up information. It became clear to us that we needed a whole day at least to see Sonoma so we walked the plaza and returned to where we were staying in Napa. The next day we got a early start and we're there for the opening of the mission. We visited the barracks and walked to General Vallejo's home. (One $3 fee at the mission pays for all.) It wasn't hot and we were the only ones at the Vallejo house. It was great to see CA history and the place where wine culture began. Some of the large eucalyptus and magnolia trees were original to the house. The house reminded us of our first home in Redlands, ours not having the gorgeous antiques and such but we love the CA Victorian homes. The area behind would be perfect for a quiet picnic. It was charming and had places to sit and view the water. We walked back to the plaza and searched for lunch. It was a Sunday and everywhere was full of tourists. We would recommend a picnic.

Very European in feel. Lovely setting. There's a couple good shops to enjoy and we regretted missing the chocolate tasting!

Beautiful area with lots of nice shops and businesses right in the heart of Sonoma. If you have a little time it is worth exploring.

Love Sonoma !!! My home away from home ! Stayed on the plaza at Swiss Hotel for a week and basically toured the Plaza ! So much to see, wine tasting, chocolate, great shops, restaurants, and loved Tuesday Night Farmers night ! If you have not been highly recommend it ! Till next visit !!!

The plaza is a must see for any history buff. Great place for a family or a couple, nice place to have lunch or dinner.

Something for most everyone. Beautiful town square/park and LOTs of small shops around the outside of the park and hidden is pathways from the sidewalks. Lots of choices in food.

Wonderful Town Square. The park with the gorgeous rose garden was beautiful. Fun shops and restaurants. We had a great lunch at Hopmonks

Stopped down to check out the farmers market after dinner Tuesday night. Lots of vendors selling crafts and plenty of food trucks, even beer and wine for sale. The band that was playing was pretty good. We had a great time. Plenty of shops around the outside of the park, I wish we had more time to check them all out.

We strolled all 4 sides of the plaza, which had never ending array of stores, restaurants, and wine tasting spots. They were great fun to check out. The whole block wide park it beautiful, paths thru the middle, a neat playground for kids, a small opened arena seating and stage for concerts, public bathrooms, and beautiful flowers, plants, and trees. Very relaxing to sit in and enjoy our ice creams.

It is difficult to visit Sonoma County and not visit its centre. City Hall is at the epicentre and has lovely Spanish-influenced architecture. A quiet afternoon can be spent strolling the square's shops, restaurants, wineries and grounds. Very quiet. Romantic and a great place for couples to visit and spend time away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Like the plaza with the park in the middle. There is ample parking! Nice to have all these boutiques and restaurants around the plaza. Unique as well to have these court yards going from the plaza behind, their are some nice wine tasting places and nice restaurants! Really all nicely organized and worth to be seen!

Everyday life revolves around these wonderful town plazas with small quaint shops and delicious cafes and restaurants - and Sonoma is no different! Delightful in every sense of the word.

Such a great little town- beautiful park and surrounding. Hang out with friends, have a picnic or take a refreshing nap!

Perfect spot for wine tasting, dining, shopping. Bonus on Tuesday evening is the Farmers Market with food trucks and music. A perfect way to close out a day. Bring a chair or blanket and your beverage of choice. Beautiful park surrounds the City Hall building with clean bathroom facility on east side of plaza.

The shops and boutiques had many beautiful and unique gift The layout of the plaza was great. There were small restaurants and cafes where you can taste wines. As you continue your way through you will run into boutiques to shop. Location was right in the middle of town, you are within walking distance to different places and things to do. I recommend if you are staying in town this is one place to go.

Sonoma Plaza is where you could spend a few days. Visit the old fort and learn the history of the area. Around the square are lots of great restaurants and shopping. If you come from out of town you will have a great time at the square. On Tuesdays we have the open market. It's lots of fun. However some of the restaurants around the square are closed. Lots of people, music, food, gifts, to buy. Come alone or with a group. You will have fun!

Rare it is in the US to find an old town with a more or less intact center square.
Sonomans are very proud of it and don't let chain restaurants be located in their beloved historical Plaza.
The California Flag was born there and Sonomans declared themselves The California Republic, an unrecognized breakaway state that, for twenty-five days in 1846, and militarily controlled the area to the north of the San Francisco Bay.

A great place to spend a day, perusing the many cafes, restaurants, boutiques and the omnipresent bar.
A park in the center with large old trees is a wonderful respite to the high noon summer sun.
Every Tuesday the Plaza fills with local farmers and families in the afternoon till dark.
Worth a trip, be aware that already too man people know of it... ;)
Oh, btw, I lived in that town for 27 years.

We've been to Sonoma Plaza area many times. This time we went for dinner at the Swiss Hotel. Before dinner we walked the plaza area. There were Christmas lights in the park area. There are various boutique stores, wine tasting rooms, cafes, restaurants, Sonoma Cheese Factory, and other places to shop and dine at in the area. There is also the Sebastiania Theatre. There is also the historic buildings and mission to see.

As the largest town square in the US, open containers allowed during daylight hours, an amazing summer farmers market on Tuesday evenings, lots of shops, restaurants, historic landmarks and wineries with in the block, it is hard to beat.

So many good restaurants. It’s quaint old California. Much nicer than Napa. Only complaint is that I wish the stores stayed open later like till 9pm so you could shop after dinner.

Most of these shops open after 10:00 and close by 6:00. You can stroll the square and enjoy shops selling home interiors, clothing, & of course, wine tastings.

We were staying at the Best Western Sonoma so could walk to Sonoma Plaza. The City Hall and viitor center is located in the lovely park area. Surrounding the plaza area are boutique stores, restaurants and cafes, and wine tasting rooms It is a charming downtown feature.

To end our wine country tour, we made a stop in Sonoma for a coffee and a walk
around the plaza. Beautiful roses and well manicured gardens. Loved the old cinema and wandering the streets reading the historical signs. Quite a different feel to this town. Much more western.

Sonoma Plaza is anchored by many fun shops and multiple wonderful restaurants. The beautiful woodland setting of the Plaza is filled with benches, picnic tables and other park amenities. Walk to and from your local vacation rental and enjoy one of the greatest American hometowns anywhere.

This is a little niche right off the main square, brick paved and full of cute little dress shops, shoes, sundries, and nearby is a killer bakery. Do G!

The plaza is a very historical place and with the time to read the signs. The main of Sonoma is around the square, it well light at night and seems safe to wander around.

Super cute park and public space with the coolest farmers' market with live music and tons of food vendors (I think every Tuesday night). Worth walking through just to see the locals, who flock to this event with picnic baskets and wine, which is permitted in the public park on this evening. Fun!

In the heart of downtown Sonoma, this plaza is a small oasis for the bustle outside. Specialty shops and many tasting rooms abound here. Well maintained and quiet.

We enjoyed our afternoon still around the plaza. It’s a nice mix of shops, tasting rooms, and restaurants.

The plaza is full of fun stops for eats or wine tastings with all types of fun characters who will entertain you as long as you will allow. The plaza is always a stop for me while I'm in Sonoma! You will have fun at any stop in the plaza!

Nice shops and tasting rooms. Family run stores that are more accessible than higher end store found in Healdsburg. Nice Irish bar and hotels on the square. An original mission on the square.

interesting little find, some nice stores, and a great feel. with a terrific candy store and ice cream locale

You can't miss the center of a historic California town, always starts with a plaza. This one as well. Lovely, tree-lined, draws you in, really creates a center to the various sweet restaurants, shops, and wineries surrounding it. Ask about its history while there.

The birth place of the California Flag, Sonoma, is still true to itself. The plaza, although often filled with tourists, is still a lovely place for a picnic and a glass of wine (allowed within the confines of the park).
Sonoma in 1846 declared itself independent from the US and Mexico... well, it lasted 14 days till the feds took it back but at least they tried... the spirit of independence is still there.
No franchise is allowed on the Plaza, local business only, and
Tuesday nights are filled with fun since a rich farmers Market populates the plaza with veggies, fruits, delicacies and Music.
Go, carpool, park a few blocks away, stroll... enjoy... repeat...

This place is a heart of Sonoma wine county and full of shops, tasting rooms, restaurants and historic landmarks. Food and wine is outstanding and it is hard to pick the best restaurant as they all offer the most delicious food. Locals judge the business by the reputation now, and that brings the competition to the absolute different level - customer service is incredible pretty much everywhere. Exploring the plaza is an absolute joy - it is small enough to spent a whole day and eventful enough to stay for a week or more, as you can explore the numerous famous wineries and landmarks of the Sonoma and Napa counties, coming back to the cutest little square where you can spent the rest of the day cozying in a park or small restaurant. Tuesday market will offer the freshest local produce, food and life music.

Town was awesome with plenty of shops restaurants and wine tastings. Seemed to be ample parking. Nice place to dine or spend a few hours exploring

The Plaza in Sonoma has something for everyone. Luncheon, Barbecue, sandwhich shop, steak or ice cream for the kid in all of us.

This is where it all started for California, the Bear Flag Revolt. there is a statue to commemorate the event and with the barracks and mission across the street, the plaza is full of history as well as fun places to wander during a trip to Sonoma. Lots of shops, restaurants, often festivals taking place in the plaza that can be fabulous.

Great little shops. Bought cheese and olive oil after tastings. Parking was very accessible. Excellent Mexican restaurant named Maya.

Sonoma Plaza is right in the heart of Sonoma. It is a nice shopping area filled with small stores, restaurants, chocolate shop and an ice cream store.
It is a nice area for walking. It is also close to the Sonoma Mission and historic section of the city.You get the flavor of California’s past.
The only problem we had is that several of the stores weren’t open on Wednesday. Otherwise it was a pleasant experience.

We visited Sonoma Plaza during our wine tasting tour in the Sonoma/Napa Valley area with Tower Tours.

This was our lunch stop where we stopped for an hour and a half.

This plaza has many restaurants, wine tastings, galleries and retail options.

After lunch at the Girl and the Fig we had a short walk around this historical town with historical buildings.

It was rushed and we would have loved to have spend more time here.

Truly loved the plaza and so much history - missions to amazing shops and restaurants- beautiful town hall in center and even at night - trees glowing with Christmas lights. So beautifuk here and a must see if in Sonoma county.

The Sonoma square is awesome! You could spend a couple of days just visiting the tasting rooms in that area. There are also a number of great restaurants.

Shopping (clothing stores for both men and women), many restaurants, a book store, home accessories shop, and tasting rooms are all within walking distance around the Plaza. Street parking available.

Whether you're local or a tourist the Sonoma Plaza is a great place to spend the day. The plaza itself is beautiful, expansive lawns, lots of shade trees and places to enjoy a picnic on a nice day. Surrounding the plaza are tons of restaurants offering all sorts of cuisines at different price points. There are numerous shops to check out and General Vallejo's fort is right there on the Plaza, and is an interesting stop for adults and kids alike. If you bring or rent a bike Sonoma is very bike friendly and there are some easy bike paths around and through town.

We love this square. It offers something for everyone! Wine tasting is mostly FREE still, shops are great and restaurants offer a bit of everything you want from Sonoma.

Sonoma Plaza is a terrific place for the kids to play, feed the ducks, or learn about history or for adults to just relax. There are numerous shops on all sides, pubs, restaurants, wineries, or an ice cream shop.

Park the car, and walk around a little, you won't be disappointed.

Loved both ice cream shops.There is parking behind the shops as well which I later found out.Great visitor center..wear the Sonoma sticker they give and get a free cookie at the sandwich place across the street.Great food there too!

After having a lovely family lunch, we crossed the street to visit our favorite plaza. Something new has been added since we last were here, two years ago.

Sonoma was founded by General Vallejo over 180 years ago, yet there did not seem to be a statue of him in any prominent place. That changed in June 2017, when a life sized bronze statue (by sculptor Jim Callahan), was placed sitting on one of the benches bordering the plaza. The General, who had a penchant for reading and writing, is shown holding a book, “Recuerdos,” which is the title of his memoir. The statue is almost directly across from the barracks, which housed his troops and the site of his original two-story home, Casa Grande, which, later, was lost in a fire.

The entire Plaza is beautiful, and very worth while taking a look at. Parking around the Plaza is tight, however, behind the barracks, there is a huge free parking lot. I don't think many people know about it, as every time we have gone, there were lots of empty spaces, while everybody is circling the Plaza to find a space.

The Plaza is very quaint and picturesque. We did not spend much time there but did enjoy a stroll through before a dinner reservation nearby. The photos accurately represent it.

Perhaps the best plaza in California, as befits the birthplace of the state. Dozens of shops and restaurants surround the plaza, which often is the site of art shows and other events. The Sonoma Mission, northernmost of the Spanish missions is across the street.

A pretty square with a wide array of businesses. Wine tasting, eateries, pottery and the lady in the tourist info was soooooo helpful and passionate about her area. Sonoma well worth visiting!

Located in the center of Sonoma, the Plaza is surrounded by great shopping, restaurants and historical features. They hold many family friendly events on the plaza and a great place to relax, people watch and enjoy the outdoors.

Excellent and beautiful preservation of historic buildings and sites! Peppered in amongst the buildings are little shops, restaurants and wine-tasting rooms. You can spend the entire day exploring just around the plaza.

Lots to see and do here and an easy walk to take it all in if the weather’s good. I was impressed particularly with the cheese emporium and the kitchen shop. Could have done some major damage to my budget at either one if I hadn’t been concerned with how to bring it all back home on the plane.

There’s a beautiful park in the center of the plaza with water fountains and benches—a great place for kids to let off steam if they’re along for the ride.

Would love to come back someday and see more of it. We were only there for about an hour but if you have some shopping money you could easily spend a few hours shopping and eating there. Definitely worth a visit.

What a lovely place to walk to and through. It is full of trees, picnic tables, and a quiet coolness. Enjoy.

The square is a good size and very well kept. This town has a lot of local gatherings. Great shops and over 40 tasting rooms. No real need to drive to winery's. Love this town.

Lovely walk with great shops, also offering a bit of shade as you walk along the way, but truthfully all of Sonoma is gorgeous!

This a wonderful place. Especially in Spring and Fall. Plenty of great food and drinks at every corner. Sebastiani winery is a close walk. Come enjoy the Sonoma square

A quaint square with great hotel/inn, restaurant, and especially wine tasting options. It's a relatively small square but you could easily spend an entire day wandering from store to store. I will recommend A girl and a Fig as a place to eat just based on the picnic lunch we enjoyed earlier in the day.

A typical historic plaza area, but quite pretty. There is a lovely park area right off the historic town hall and it is filled with flowers and a series of ponds and a water feature, there are ducks and it is well done. The other thing that sets this plaza area apart are all the winery tasting rooms. Many, many of the wineries in the area have tasting rooms on or just off the plaza. Lots of fabulous restaurants, in fact we ate at five of them during our time there and did not have a single bad meal. Our hotel had a free shuttle to the plaza and that made visiting the tasting rooms easy and fun, we did not have to have a DD. I would recommend a visit to the Plaza if you come to Sonoma. It is a relaxing and pleasant way to spend the day, or a great place to eat with it's plethora of cafes and restaurants.

Lots of restaurants, shops, wine tasting right on or near the Square. The visitor center is worth a visit for maps of the area and recommendations. Th best find is Figones Olive oil that gives tastings!

It was very quaint and the food was wonderful. The ambiance was serene and peaceful.It was a pleasure just to sit , relax, and enjoy a good meal.

Beautiful town square with period buildings around with an explanation of the history of some of them. Lovely grassy park in the middle of the square to picnic or watch the world go by and enjoy the architecture.
Great for a bit of time out.

Another spot to visit it is a typical tourist attraction place. You can do with or without. There are many other attractions that aer more attractive and better fits a vacation .

Can be busy and difficult parking but nice place to explore and hang out if you're in Sonoma but nothing exceptional and many of stores just selling over priced touristy stuff.

First visit to Sonoma plaza and what a cool place. Great wee restaurants and additional wine tasting rooms. Lovely place for lunch.

Unique historical place, home of the Bear Flag Republic. OK, only 25 days in 1846. Wander around Plaza, look at the statues, go into Visitors Center, do some shopping, eating and wine tasting. No Parking Meters and lots of Public Lots, Tesla Supercharger and EV charging too. Home of first William Sonoma store too.

Great place to visit as center of Sonoma. The plaza has tons of wineries, shops and restaurants for visitors to explore.

It was little windy and chilly, so could not enjoy the charming town as much as we hoped. Sonoma Plaza has something for all ages. Historic places, playgrounds, grass, restaurants, and wine tasting cellars. We stopped by the cheese factory and surprisingly my sons enjoyed cheese so much we ended up purchasing several, along with a local brewed beer. The visitor center lady was very friendly too.

We had been coming here for decades, but had not visited in the last ten years. It seems that the trees have even grown taller, and the grass is so much greener. Less ducks than before, but everything has pretty much stayed the same.

First, we walked the streets surrounding the Plaza. The shops are incredible. So many choices of completely unique items. I could shop and shop here. Then, we visited all our favorite areas in the Park. The rose garden was as beautiful as always. To sit by the duck pond on this quite warm day was refreshing. Lots of benches everywhere, and the Park has always been clean. This Plaza is the largest one in California, and the focal point of Sonoma.

In the 1970's, we used to come here every June for their pig roast (on a spit). Was that ever an event! They still have their outdoor "auditorium", where we once saw a most wonderful performance of Gilbert & Sullivan's "H.M.S. Pinafore". Wonder if they still have those outdoor performances? We wanted to visit City Hall, but it is closed between noon and one (lunch), and we had other things we wanted to see, so we did not hang around.

Give yourself lots of time to walk around this lovely area.

Highly recommend walking through this area on your first day (before the wine tours and vineyard visits!)

Sonoma had a lot of picture perfect areas. Lots of shops and art work. We also visited the home of General Vallejo and the mission. If you are not in to history, you probably would not enjoy that part. Our favorite little town was Yountville which is north of Napa.

Situated around the town square there are a large selection of restaurants and art stores as well wine tasting and boutiques all set in the historic town of Sonoma

Have a walk at the sonoma plaza. Go and see their wonderful roses garden. You have everything in walking distance. Worth to spend few hours wlaking around and go eat at the many restaurants available.

There is a nice mix of shops, wine and restaurants to visit. Since you are in Sonoma you have quite a selection of wine tasting choices but this area is also rife with history, retail and a even a bit of nature.

This is a charming walk around this old capital building surrounded by a park with mature trees. Lots to see, shopping, dining and people watching.

Revisited this area after the tour and discovered more places to see. The entire square block of Sonoma has so many places to see.

Lots of stores, the restaurants are great, go no further! However, almost all of Sonoma closes at 9 or so. There's a speakeasy on the corner that looked great but it was late....

Sonoma Plaza is the very attractive central square of the pleasant wine town of Sonoma. There is a really good and informative tourist office, who can also provide you with coupons and discount vouchers for tastings at wineries. The historical Mission which is right North-East of the plaza is worthwhile visiting. Then there is also a really pleasant little shopping centre with a few restaurants and an artisanal bakery. Sufficient free street side parking available.

My wife and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary in the Sonoma valley area. Coming from Boise, Idaho we are lucky to have a warm and inviting culture of celebration. So when we arrived in Sonoma my wife and I decided to venture around the area. We found the Sonoma Plaza to be a bustling place as it celebrated the Sonoma City Party! The celebration was full of food, wine, music, and fun! We joined the celebration and felt just like we were at home in Boise. What a great feeling of enjoyment and fun. The area is vibrant and alive as we came back to the plaza several days later to take in the area once again. The shops, restaurants, and historical sites were fun and enjoyable. We will return again.

Lovely restaurants, nice stores and even a sports bar with friendly bartenders...what more can you ask for....all around the Square.

This charming stone building housing city offices sits among rose bushes and paved garden walkways. It’s a relaxed and quiet area to pick up a shuttle or UBER or to just meet up with a friend to shop or have lunch. Such a welcoming town

Charming square of shops and restaurants with a beautiful park in the middle. After cycling to the vineyards in the morning we grabbed a picnic lunch and a bottle of wine and sat out enjoying watching the world pass by. One if the lovely buildings in the park is home to the tourist information office who were very helpful in supplying us with maps and suggestions for vineyards to visit. There is a bike hire shop just off the plaza.

Wow, had no idea of the history in Sonoma. Now I know how California got the bear in its flag. Beautiful little plaza. The Visitor Center is located in the plaza, the lady that helped us was very friendly and informative. Beautiful little town with tremendous history.

Would love to see this square at Christmas time. The square really looks like the set of an enchanting love story movie. Beautiful little shops and historic buildings~ don't forget to check out the Theatre!

This was the stop on the winery tour. We were given over an hour to walk around and explore on our own. We did walk all around the square, which has a lovely park in the middle with trees with some of the biggest trunks I have ever seen. They remind me of the trees that are all along the Mission Trail in other parts of California.

We did not go into any shops. They are, although tempting, really high-end stores. We did go into a cute cafe. My husband always has coffee and I asked for hot cider, only $1.10 a cup, with a dollop of lovely, sweetened, whipped cream.

I wish we had made time to go into the mission. It looked so beautiful. Perhaps on a future trip.

The plaza/square is always busy on the weekends, this is wine country. Sonoma is and has the small town feel, and things on and near the square are pricey. Good historical sights on/near the square- General Vallejo's home, soldiers barracks, etc.

The historic plaza is surrounded by old and equally historic buildings and a good mix of local stores.

The square has magnificent trees giving ample shade proving to be a blessing on a hot day.

Great to see so many people of all ages using the park.

We always enjoy taking the grandkids to the park in the middle of the plaza where they can run around, play on the equipment, and feed the ducks. Add some take out lunch from one of the surrounding restaurants in the square and you've got a picnic. Numerous shops surround the park located in the middle of the square. You'll find everything from clothing to food, hotels, wine tasting rooms, a theater, ice cream shop, and art. More stores line the streets of the square plaza and also can be found on the side "alley like" pathways that lead off the square and behind it. On weekends it's really busy with tourists, so patience is important, especially when looking for parking. Be aware that during January & February many of the stores have more limited hours, some closed on Mondays and/ or Tuesday's. It's s lovely small town, vibrant with activity.

Easybto walk park with history dated back to 1830 - original hotel, kitchen, barracks and theatre. Right in dowtown with nearby parking
Great museum which is free

Locals flock here for a wide variety of reasons: family fun, walking, eating, drinks and shopping. Ditto wine country travelers if they make the move to test our town between so many other great wine areas. Lots of places to sit and picnic, trees, ducks, play areas and all surrounding the historic City Hall. If you have pets you can't walk thru but are walking all around & welcome on the patios of all (at least most) places. A great variety of things to see and very relaxing + a people watching bonanza. Park on a side street (all free) and walk to it cause well, being stuck at a stop sign waiting fr walkers not the business!

We were lucky to be there on a Tuesday evening when they have the farmers market and music. The local produce was great. Surprised they didn't have more cheese vendors. The music was wonderful and a great evening.

wine tastings, restaurants, Figones olive oil tasting, visitors center. Tues evening in summer are Farmers market with live music, food trucks - lots of fun and worth a visit.

The Sonoma Plaza was a very pleasant suprise. We went to the last farmers market of the year at the end of September and left feeling really proud that the community of Sonoma has made an effort to keep business old and new vital to the area. The Plaza has historic charm along with a wonderful vibe that has offerings for tourist and locals.
The Plaza in the center has a wonderful garden area and historic building with lots of room for kids and families. Surrounding the plaza are restaurants, shops offering local art and crafts and wine tasting venues.
A must stop if your in Sonoma, all the food and wine tasting you want in a one square mile area.

This plaza is surrounded by many quaint boutiques, restaurants and wine tasting shops. Many are open late so can have a nice peruse after dinner. I believe it was Tuesday night that had a big market in the plaza. Many food trucks and artisan vendors. Even live music! Definitely worth a visit.

Since we live in Sonoma it's sometimes hard to look at our town from the perspective of a tourist. That being said there are a lot of great little shops and wine bars around the square and Sonoma Plaza. I was working downtown on the historic Sebastiani Theater restoring the front of the building. We were blown away at all the people that come to this little town. I could not help but notice that many of merchants are great and take excellent care of the out of towners. I guess if I was a tourist this would be one of my favorite places to visit.

We are from Healdsburg so when we visit Sonoma Plaza; it is like a Deja Vous. Just a lot bigger. It is a great place to walk around the see all of the history. We took pictures of
all of the historic buildings, don't miss the wonderful statue with the bear flag. Very
kid-friendly. You can bring a picnic or eat in one of the fine restaurants and cafes on the square.

Scenic, historic, as well as wine and food friendly, the Plaza is a must see when you visit Sonoma Valley. The Plaza area features over thirty wine tasting rooms from the fun (Roche and Panglos) to the serious (Three Sticks, Walt and Sojourn), excellent restaurants from the iconic Girl and the Fig to the causal brunch/lunch spot, the Sunflower Cafe, many shops (don't miss The Sign of the Bear Kitchenware), and historic buildings such as the Barracks, the original headquarters of the Bear Flag Republic to the classic Italian Renaissance Sebastiani Theater. The Plaza itself features a Carnegie Library circa 1913 repurposed as the Information Center and the stone clad flag draped City Hall that hosts the Tuesday Farmers Market (highly recommended) in its parking lot. Plaza amenities include an amphitheater, rose garden, play grounds, duck pond, Italian fountain and various visiting outdoor sculptures (please don't ride the deer!). Scattered about are picnic tables and benches. You may bring and consume food, wine and beer in the park; one of the few public places where alcohol is legal in CA (in is only permitted on the interior area of the parks, not the outer side walks or surrounding streets). I love this place. Oh and the public restrooms are under the Information Center at the back. Parking tip: street parking is 3 hours in the Plaza area, but behind the Sonoma Historic Park (off 1st E north of Spain) there is free all day parking (over night not allowed though).

It used to be lovely and authentic but alas, all the rich newbies and developers have ruined the Sonoma Plaza. We had out of town friends visit and the food we ate was mediocre and over-priced and the stores were meant for rich and tasteless tourists. I'd skip it and head elsewhere.

This has a very quaint feel to it and the town hall sets off the plaza well. There is a good selection of restaurants scattered around the plaza.

My husband and I visited Sonoma for 3 days and truly enjoyed the walks around the plaza with the numerous wine shops, retail boutique stores and restaurants. The Christmas decorations at night were magnificent. Highly recommend a visit to this town and plaza.

You have to visit the plaza it has everything. Food,wine,shopping. You can even learn the history of Sonoma by visiting the Exhibits. We spent a lot of time down here. Very fun place to see.

Lots of options for dining and shopping but still feels like a small town. We hit the last summer time market & lived the shopping, food trucks and musjc.

A pleasant square with a very good bakery and a few speciality shops, at least 2 very good restaurants. If you are in the area anyway, grab lunch and take a stroll around the square. The park is very good, but the shops and galleries are not worth a special visit. The past luster and a fine dining restaurant are long gone, but still a pleasant place to relax.

Full of places to eat, drink and spend. Nice central shaded park where you can sit and watch the world go by. One side has Sonoma's Historical Area which is worth visiting if you have the time. Plenty wine tasting opportunities on or just off the Plaza. Nice place.

We didn't linger too long here, but it's a cute area to walk around, duck into a few shops, get a bite to eat, etc. In the evening the whole place was lit up with beautiful lights, different designs for each corner. Made us smile!

The square is large but easy to walk all four sides to see the boutiques and many restaurants. The 21st (and last) mission built in the CA mission system is on one corner, so be sure to take a break and visit if you like the CA missions. Shops close at 5:30-6pm, so plan your visit accordingly. Also saw a fair number of homeless folks in the park.

The Plaza is a beautiful historic square in the middle of Sonoma. It has many shady trees and a beautiful rose garden. It's surrounded by shops, restaurants, the Mission, and other historic buildings. When we were there, there were artists with paintings for sale.

We attended the Vintage Art Festival in the Sonoma Plaza over the weekend, and it was a fun time. This old, historic square is one of the better gathering spots in California. Nice, mature trees provide plenty of shade, there is a lagoon with ducks, a historic statue, and permanent restrooms. The grassy areas are perfect for picnics. Plenty of diagonal parking around the square, with ample opportunities to amble around the many wine tasting and restaurants bordering the plaza. All in all, a really nice place to hang out.

Loved walking through the park like setting with all the flowers, benches, trees and beauty of buildings mixed with nature. Surrounding the square is a great mixture of history, wineries, shops and restaurants. A great way to spend the day!

So peaceful. Nice 👍🏻 plaza. Lots of coffee ☕️ shop, restaurant, knick knacks. Great to have picnics, wine 🍷 & 🧀. Lots of benches. Rose 🥀 garden.

The Sonoma Plaza is a great spot, green trees and beautiful, for all. Picnic tables for the impromptu picnic or gathering with the family. Playgrounds and duck ponds for kids to explore. Historical statues of the bear flag revolt and general Vallejo. Surrounded by great restaurants, local music venues, shops and historical sites. Something for everyone. Not to miss!

Strolled around the plaza before dinner at Harvest Moon. Beautifully adorned with Christmas lights. Charming stores and historical buildings. Lots of shops and places to enjoy food and wine and other spirits. Recommend for a romantic couples stroll where you can easily spend a few hours bar and restaurant hopping.

Your wife will love the shopping. Plenty of wine tasting, cafe's, or pubs to rest between shops. Several have patio dining for a bit quieter experience. Some are pricey but all are close so shop around and compare.

Multiple restaurant and wine tasting options on the historic square in Sonoma.

It was a bit cold and a little deserted. Would have preferred more energy and buzz but otherwise worth a visit surely if one is in the area

There are offices, shops and restaurants in these old historical buildings and it is located in the heart of town

What a lovely day strolling the beautiful shops, restaurants and attractions. Clean quaint town as you would expect. Especially liked lunch at the girl & the fig and shopping at Wildflower boutique.

This was the birth of California, full of history and social activities. Whether you want to have a picnic in the park, tour the historic mission, do some wine tasting, have a delicious lunch or dinner at one of the unique restaurants or do some interesting shopping, it's all in The Square.

Takes about an hour to casually walk about shops and do a 360 stroll. Must be a dozen or more tasting rooms and numerous eating places. Art work and jewelry and clothing is a matter of taste. Three hour parking on the square.

The heart of Sonoma is the Plaza and it is a great place to enjoy. One can stroll through the grounds, take a picnic basket and use the tables or sit on the grass, or buy a yummy slice of pizza at Mary’s across the street or get a delicious sandwich at the Sonoma Cheese factory. Many events take place there but I particularly like it when I can enjoy it in a peaceful state

If you are in Sonoma proper, definitely plan on spending some time at the Plaza. This area is essentially the "town square" which is surrounded by numerous restaurants, galleries, and specialty stores. It is also the center for much of Sonoma's cultural and historic points of interest. Make sure you stroll down many of the interior "alleys" which usually lead to either a great dining or shopping experience. Also plan on touring the Mission & Barracks. Lastly, there is a tourist center on the square to obtain first rate information and directions, and plenty of free parking is available.

Definitely worth the stop.

Our entire stay in Sonoma was amazing, much of it centered around our shopping and dining experiences on the Sonoma Plaza! The Plaza Park has beautiful, serene landscaping, and a very inviting place to rest and rejuvenate after a day of shopping at wonderful stores surrounding the Plaza! The Plaza gives the Sonoma area a real community feel which welcomes guests and locals! The Plaza is the heart of Sonoma❤️

The center of the town and surrounded by a multitude of historic buildings, Sonoma Plaza is the largest plaza in California. In the middle of this National Historic Landmark lies an early 20th-century city hall with it's four identical sides which were designed so as not to offend merchants on any one side. Go, walk, enjoy!

Gathering place for both locals and visitors. Check schedule for music nights. Then they have several vendors selling really good food from several countries.

Bring your folding chair, and a bottle of wine. Of course there is food and drink for sale.

Come early as parking is always a challenge, even without the concerts.

Lots of artsy shops all around the Plaza. Offering food, drink, art, clothes, and tours,

Very lovely place to start your trip to Sonoma nice shops nice people nice tasting rooms!! There’s lots to do in the plaza for couples and families alike. It’s also fantastic there Tuesday farmers market.

Heard about the olive oil from Figone's and the Wine Country Chocolates. Well worth the stop. If you are looking for quaint shops, good food, and a relaxing atmosphere, this is it.

Great Pinots and Chardonnay. Right off the square. If you want to pick up a sandwich from the Sonoma Cheese Factory for dinner be sure to get their well in advance of their closing as they close the kitchen early.

This is a very nice plaza in the center of Sonoma. Plenty of hotels, restaurants, shops, park, visitors center, some historical buildings. Stop by when in the area, highly recommended.

Sonoma Plaza is a very picturesque part of Sonoma with cute shops, restaurants and wineries offering tastings. A very pleasant way to spend the afternoon and try a few different wines without having to go very far. Great to go if you're unsure what you want for lunch or dinner as there are many options, again all in one place.

I've been to the Sonoma Plaza area a few times over the past six months and they have all be enjoyable. Many fine restaurants and wine tasting rooms, plus other shops. And there's the Sonoma Mission and other historic buildings there as well. Very relaxing atmosphere overall, and you could spend quite a few hours or even all day right around the Plaza. The drawbacks? Parking can be a bit difficult and traffic right around the Plaza area can be bad. And catering largely to well-to-do visitors means that a lot of the shops, restaurants, etc. around there are on the pricey side. But as long as you're prepared for those things, the area around the Plaza can be a great place to spend the day.

Such a peaceful park with much to appreciate. Small pond with ducks, lush grassy areas , picnic tables, benches and small play ground. Lately they have art sculptures on display.
Take your time and take a walk around and through this lovely square.
Then going shopping at surrounding boutiques and enjoy a glass of wine at one of the local tasting rooms .

The downtown square is more like a park. Very pleasant and clean location in the heart of Sonoma. And 3 hours of free parking helps!

Old World section in Sonoma. Clean well kept. It has a restaurants or two,wine tasting,chocolate tasting and just a nice place to browse.

Such a fun place to visit and hangout!
Considered the largest plaza in all of California, Sonoma Plaza is both beautiful in design and practical in use. A national historic landmark, Sonoma Plaza welcomes locals and tourists year-round for events, dining, shopping and so much more

During a week-long stay just outside of town, we had several occasions to shop, explore, taste wine, and dine in and around Sonoma Plaza. Don't miss if you are touring around wine country!

Or small group of gals had a Sonoma weekend to visit wineries and enjoy each others company.
We had a nice time walking around the town, visiting various shops. There were planty of places to enjoy a meal or glass of wine.
The Plaza is in the center of the town and the grounds were well maintained.

It is a good place to walk around checking stores (when open) and many restaurants and cafes for the whole family or romantic couples. The central park area is nice for a picnic.

The plaza and park are beautiful for a short walk before or after dinner. There are several restaurants and shops where you can find anything from chocolate, to wine and cheese, art and jewelry. Don't miss the old Mission and Barracks!

We wanted a break fir lunch before wine tasting and decided to check out the plaza. The selection of stores, merchandise and novelties was very good.
The weather excellent and we enjoyed the shopping. The plaza is big enough, but easily walkable.

Take time out to visit the plaza.

Stroll through some of the shops and try some wine and eat some food.

It has a little bit of everything.

Sonoma is a beautiful historic town, with lots to see and do, and Sonoma Plaza is the heart of this community. Lovely park for all the family surrounded by lots of fabulous cafes, restaurants and shops.

Great way to spend a day. Good variety of cute boutiques with clothes, shoes, jewelry and art. Lots of dining options and tasting rooms. The Plaza itself is a lovely green space too to enjoy a picnic.

Unfortunately, our plans got us into Sonoma around 5:00 on a Thursday, so most things were closing, and we had little to do except make dinner reservations. We parked easily at the Plaza, and had time to do a little sidewalk shopping and exploring, but had we given it more thought we certainly should have allowed at least an hour to explore this interesting area, or more if we wanted to do any tastings (which are everywhere you look!) A lot of historic buildings surround the square, which again was unexpected. Sonoma deserves more attention than just another place to sample wine and shop. Several of the more popular restaurants were also booked out, which was another disappointment, but we eventually got into the Swiss Hotel and had a lovely meal. Easy hour drive back to SF.

Stopped at Sonoma Plaza to take a break from wine tastings. Cute little town but none of the shops really stood out to us. Several tasing rooms that we did not explore for reasons stated above. Kind of bored after about an hour of walking around.

I have returned after being away for 12 years, a bit more crowded with tourists and cars, I chose to time my visits and shopping avoiding the masses, I have returned to be a local again!

This offers a quiet, small town feel but plenty of options for food, dining and wineries. We loved walking the town square and walking through the park.

Just before the start of the Thanksgiving and Holiday Season, the Old Town Square gets lite up with thousands of bright lights. The old courthouse and surrounding park sparkle with light. The tall palm tree in front of the courthouse is especially cheerful!

Nice place to walk after a long day of wine tasting and a filling dinner. The people were friendly, the plaza was filled with wonderful dining options and, cute shops and of course wine bars and tastings. Very enjoyable. Great Mother's Day Weekend. Thank you Sonoma

Nice little shopping district where you can walk around and window shop all day. Parking can be a bit of a challenge at lunch time. Good place to chill out and sit and enjoy the sunshine before your next winery trip. Very pleasant.

Definitely plan to visit the Sonoma Plaza if you will be coming to the wine country! The park is beautiful, the historic buildings have lots of charm, and there are plenty of interesting shops and wine tasting rooms. The wonderful 4th July parade is one of the best in the country. The Tuesday farmers’ market during summer is great fun. The Plaza is especially beautiful at Christmas. It’s a unique, charming, fun and historically authentic place!

Sonoma Plaza is definitely a lovely place, a nice open space, with a grand town hall, full of history, characterful buildings, dining options and loads of shops, art galleries and wine tasting places to browse round, down little alleyways. The town is a credit to the local community, especially in keeping alive the “Sebastiani Theatre” building. However, be warned everything in these establishments seems to be very expensive, so be prepared to part with some serious cash if you intend to spend here! Despite the economics; still a nice place to spend ½ a day though!

Sonoma is a cute little town with tons of shopping and wine tasting. We walked around and enjoyed the shops. A great place to spend the day.

Tues evening is the farmers market with food and meals! This is very well attended by the locals. Starts at 5, so bring folding chairs (locals also bring folding tables with table clothes). Smells and sights of fresh food. Yummy! It is wonderful to see the park being used throughout the week. We saw birthday parties being held in the park along people feeding ducks in the pond.

The plaza is large and many shops and wine tasting outlets surround the area. Restaurants are also on the plaza or close by. Hotels rim the square. There is not much you cannot do there.

CLEAN, SAFE WALKABLE PRETTY! You can find all sorts of business eateries bars, all withing walking distance!

Lots of quaint dining options, shops and a beautiful park area for relaxing or family picnics. We enjoyed walking around the park area where we found a beautiful stream that was surrounded by ducks and a gorgeous rose garden. We attended a family picnic here and the park is first come first serve so we got there at 9 AM to grab some tables as we had a large group. There is a Safeway nearby if you need any picnic essentials. We also picked up some pizzas at Mary’s, which is right in the plaza and delicious

We stayed at a hotel right on the Plaza for an entire week and found it to be oh so fun! The square/plaza has a small town feel while offering numerous diverse dining and shopping options. The history here is also very interesting.

Sonoma Plaza / square is just charming and a must during your visit - don't spend all your time away at the vineyards. We enjoyed a Saturday farmer's market with grape stomping, music, wine tasting, oyster roast, etc.. and then that evening an annual parade. It really showed off the charm of the town, and I'm so glad we got to experience a taste of the locals' lives.

We spent last week in Sonoma
We walk through the plaza we visited the Misión we spent some time at the park went for some wine tasting wow what a place very well recommended if you are trying to get out of the routine, have some fun and relaxing time, best place ever

Great shops, restaurants and bars. Great area to walk. Hours of operation tend to be a bit odd. With there were more consistent hours of operations.

Sonoma has a very historic Plaza. Many people say they visit "Sonoma"....but they are in other cities in Sonoma County. Visitors need to see the real Sonoma....the town of Sonoma....the Sonoma Plaza!

Sonoma has a fascinating hostory ... the northern extent of Spain (in N.Am), the northernmost garrison of Mexican rule, the place where the short-lived California Bear Republic started, all within a 15 year period culminating in California acceding to the United States in 1848.

It is a nice place to walk around or people watch. There are places to shop and eat all around. There is also a olive oil company near.

Sonoma Plaza is very charming at first glance. Then unfortunately you notice a homeless population lying around. One man approached me smoking pot playing a tape recorder which shouted expletives. As I walked away another man approached me rambling with his hands down his pants. No police anywhere to be seen. My first and last visit.

The Plaza is the center of town, a lovely green space with unique development all around, places to shop, buy picnic food or have a good meal. Peaceful and lovely.

Sonoma Plaza - tons of excellent restaurants, shops, parks, wine tasting rooms. Had best Mexican food ever at La Casa- on weekends, park down by Sebastiani winery and walk into town- parking is limited. Very clean, safe and picturesque! Reminds me a bit of Tuscany

Our first time staying in Sonoma. Frequently visit wine country but always stay in San Francisco and do day trips to wine country. Very relaxing!

The central square of Sonoma, is really nice. There is a park in the centre with a tourist visitor centre and around the square there are shops, restaurants and hotels.

Stroll around this scenic, quaint, town square with a mix of restaurants and eateries as well as fun shopping. Beautiful foliage and relaxing park for sitting and people watching.

It is such a beautiful day today. The plaza has lots of things to look at. It is not overly crowded and some wonderful smells are coming from the sweet shops. A very nice place to just browse.

A nice plaza/square to shop and dine. Wish we had more time to explore a lot of great looking shops and places to have a drink. The Girl and the Fig restaurant is in the square, be sure to eat lunch there.

The Inn we stayed at in Sonoma was walking distance from the plaza. Many tasting rooms, stores and restaurants, we loved the convenience and wish we more time to explore!

Small town Big welcome is the best way to describe the feeling I get when Im at the Sonoma Plaza. The shop owners are all so kind and friendly and they carry such fun and unique items. Delicious restaurants all with a unique flair of their own, superb service and incredible wines at the wine tasting rooms makes for an awesome visit to Sonoma wine country.
I never get tired of time spent at the Historic Sonoma Plaza. Highly recommend!

We experienced the Sonoma Plaza through Gourmet Food and Wine Tours and had the best time tasting the best wine and food from The Girl and the Fig, El dorado Kitchen, The Delhi Belly Bistro, La Bodega and the Sonoma Wine Shop. We never had so much fun learning about history. What a concept! We went to Cline Vineyards as a results of the fun pairing with Indian food. Oh, and our chocolate from The Chocolate Cow was superbly paired with a Syrah in the Sonoma Wine Shop that we later purchased. All these businesses are literally right on the Sonoma Plaza and we will return since we are lucky enough to live a couple hours away:-)

We loved this town from the minute we drove into it. The plaza is in the center and surrounded by a variety of shops and places to eat. The City Hall and visitor center are on the 8 acred plaza grounds and well-lit at night. The plaza was laid out in 1835 and it is a National Historic Landmark. There is a rose garden, playgrounds, and a duck pond.

We were not in this area very long. We walked around and shopped about 1 hour prior to dinner reservations. It was quaint, relaxing and enjoyable. Several great shops and found a couple of gifts. We had dinner at the Girl and the Fig and it was excellent. Easy parking and easy to walk around.

After seeing some of the other nearby landmarks, this is a great place to wander. I am not endorsing any (didn't try) but noticed various spots in a courtyard setting for a cold drink or to eat ice cream. Also a few restaurant choices and music in the nearby park.

Within a one mile radius, you get to see some historical buildings and hotels, a park with a few playgrounds, and tons of eateries and shops in allegedly the largest plaza in California

This is a historic plaza with a mission. The plaza is a wonderful place for couples, families, and groups. There are numerous restaurants and shops along with some historical sites. It's a must-visit if you're in the area.

Nice morning walk with local events and activities. Limited parking. Good shade and atmosphere, relating.

We wanted to get coffee and an early start to visiting the wine country and Sonoma was a gem to find. The area around city hall and the park is beautiful with many quaint shops and restaurants in historic looking buildings.

Imagine a large central plaza with greenery and interesting little shops, galleries, and excellent restaurants surrounding it. Now imagine a laid back pace, with the few cars transiting the plaza all stopping to allow pedestrians to cross. Throw in some historical buildings from the Spanish period for good measure. Sounds good, no?

Nice to stroll around picnic in the central park area. Also great places to eat, shops to visit and they have a lot of events.

Stores, restaurants, plaza where mama duck walked with her duckings. El Dorado Kitchen is great! So is The Girl and the Fig.

The citizens of Sonoma should watch tonight’s special budget meeting. Pension costs.. look at what the city mgr is receiving.. all dept heads and mgrs contracts are required to be publicly available according to law.

A nice walkable plaza with green shaded lawns and fountains with ducks. Plenty of cute shopping on the perimeter. Be aware that dogs and smoking are prohibited on the plaza so take that into account if you have either.

A lovely area for a stroll, some quaint shops and loads of tasting rooms offering different deals and tastings.

Anyone coming to Sonoma will love it's charm.
The town is built around the park center with the old City Hall in the middle. Plenty of restaurants, shops, wine tasting, art galleries, few bars and cheese tasting too. If you are a first time visitor, expect it a bit crowded on weekends and I recommend reservations and parking might be a challenge. There is more parking on off streets and behind the Swiss Hotel. If you are visiting during the week...you'll find Wednesday less people. Enjoy...buy a sandwich and picnic...there are plenty of places.

We've just enjoyed an afternoon walking around this delightful plaza with historic buildings and very attractive shops and coffee shops. It also has its fair share of wine tasting outlets that you would expect in this Sonoma a Valley area.
We worth seeing for a day.

We spent two of our evenings in town down on the plaza for date night, the first night we had some happy hour wines, walked the square, then dinner. The second evening we had dinner the walked the square with some ice cream. Great litte place to mix and match through evenings.

Stayed in sonoma fir 2 nights and was looking forward to visiting the plaza. Total disappointment. Too many boutiques, restaurants and bars. Not to my liking. If you have a family, I wouldn't bother.

Lovely and very picturesque shopping area. Full of individual shops ,restaurants and wine bars where you can do wine tasting.

Nice grassy park on center of town with playgrounds, benches and a small pond with friendly ducks. Shady, would be a good picnic area. Surrounded on all side by cute stores and restaurants.

This beautiful plaza is full of things to see and do, and is definitely worth a few hours of your time. Stroll through the plaza, visit some of the shops, and stop in here and there to sample wines and cheeses, but be sure to save time to enjoy lunch in one of the many great restaurants (our favorite is El Dorado Kitchen).

If you want to reduce tension go here. I was shocked that I actually felt a calmness come over me. That NEVER happens. Give it a try.

We had such a great time. Visited the square and the surprise of the mission and buildings were an unexpected surprise I would give a 10 to. Was wonderful. Tasting w a Groupon at 1 but visited 3 wineries! Was such a nice romantic time jus driving g thru the course try was so beautiful.

My husband and I went to Sonoma for an impromptu date. There are many lovely shops. If you love cheese make sure to stop by the Sonoma cheese shop when you may sample tasty cheeses.

Wine tasting is available all around the plaza. There are many delicious restaurants and unique one-of-a-kind shops.

We live about 40 minutes away. It's always fun to head up to the wine country, and this cute little square is a great place to stop and spend some time. Very relaxing. There are also several spas in the area that would be worth checking out!

I have read that the town has been ruined. however, we were here in June, and it was quiet and very interesting. A lovely central plaza with historic buildings around - the adobe Mission and barracks. California started here, and it's a very worthwhile half day strolling around. Also withing walkable distance (get instructions from the Tourist Information on the Plaza) Lachryma Montis, general Vallejo's house. highly recommended

Beautiful place with the park, dining, wine tasting rooms and restaurants! We walked the entire plaza and dropped in several shops and just enjoyed the beauty of the area. Very nice stop for shopping and dining choices. Very reminiscent of old Mexico...

No races going on but a friend of ours had a couple of vintage cars he raced so we went to the shops above the raceway. It was so fascinating. The raceway itself is worth looking over even with no cars in it.

The plaza is surrounded by wonderful shops and restaurants with amazing choices. The center has a park filled with shade trees. It was very relaxing.

We spent most of our time in Napa. However, our friends wanted us to see Sonoma so we drove over after a visit to Domaine Carneros to see it. I loved the historic plaza area. My friends told me if you like Napa, you will really like Sonoma because it is more laid back and historic. While I did not get to try wineries here, I definitely loved the part of the town. While my wife shopped, I toured the historic area, including the city hall, mission church and historic village. The park was beautiful with several trees in bloom. Again, I wish I had more time but the time I spent definitely sparked my interest.

The historic Sonoma Plaza is anchored by the beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival/Italianate architecture City Hall. At night during the holidays it's beautiful on the outside facade. The Plaza park area has hanging stars & lit up palm trees. There's a duck pond. Surrounding the Plaza area are numerous small boutiques, shops, wine bars, & restaurants. Very easy to navigate. Check out the the alcove shops as well which are hidden from the street.

Love this old western style square- full of shops, bars and restaurants- nice assortment and then there's the park- lively and fun-pretty plantings, nice place to stroll or take a break from wineries

Sonoma Plaza is historical as you will see with some of the buildings. There are shops, restaurants, and hidden "treats" to help you spend some quality time here.

The Plaza has great shopping and very friendly associates and business owners. Lots of great stores, wine tasting all over and awesome food.

Great place for a stroll. There are unique shops and restaurants to see. Or you can just sit and enjoy the plaza.

After a few wine tasting sessions we came here. Very nice town. Did a little shopping and had dinner. You must eat at B&V it is the best!

If you're in town on a Tuesday night in summer don't miss the farmers market at the square. Great produce, music and food trucks. A great night out.

The city of Sonoma has a lovely park-like plaza in the middle of town. There is an historic theater called the Sebastiani theater on one side (obviously related to the winemakers), and little shops all around, with a park with a playground in the center. We found several nice places to eat (we chose the Sunflower Caffe--see my review), plus small shops and galleries to visit. Then, of course, we moved on to the important stuff: wine tasting. Unfortunately, we were there on a Tuesday so many of them were closed, but we found a couple in a little alcove off the main plaza. Everyone is friendly and helpful and it's a lovely place to spend some time on a nice day.

Just a neat little step off of the square. Nicely tucked away, this little avenue provides you access to some boutique shops and great tasting rooms. Have fun exploring.

There is something for everyone here in and around the Plaza. It has a great park equipment for little ones to play on and lot so benches for the adults to watch from. The businesses surrounding the Plaza range from wine tasting to food service to serious shopping opportunities. One could easily spend a few days there.

Really lovely and peaceful square.Nice old shops, nice old trees, historic vibrations.
But there is no a grocery store! The cheese factory was closed, too. We missed it.

Although most shops here are expensive, this is a really fun square to spend an afternoon with friends. Tons of restaurants and wine tasting rooms to choose from while you browse the shops and take in the view of the Old West mission and living quarters. I recommend checking out the little alley near Chochon Tasting Room. It is absolutely adorable and has a really cute chocolate shop to boot! Also you MUST stop by The Cheese Factory for a tasting. Their in-house cheeses are divine!

This was a great time to be in Sonoma Plaza with all the holiday decorations. One can wonder about the plaza, poking in and out of various alleys each with unique shops, art, restaurants and wine tasting options.

So much to do and see! Great restaurants, bars, wine tasting rooms, festivals, music, and farmer's market. Great for a morning walk or jog followed by an afternoon picnic and wine tasting, then evening bar hopping! Never dull!

On our last day of our trip I just wanted to hang around and relax. Sonoma Plaza was perfect for a nice stroll. All of the shops we visited were nice and the staff super friendly. We toured the Mission and the barracks. Plenty of wine tasting in the area, and chocolate tasting too!

Never did get to walk the whole plaza. One could definitely get lots of great food and wine tasting right in plaza BUT driving less than 12 miles out you can experience the whole wine production etc.

We stopped here twice in one day. At lunch, and then after dinner to have ice cream and stroll the plaza. It is a delightful spot, with lots of activity and a beautiful city hall in the center. Surrounded by shops, bars, and restaurants.

We decided on the spur of the moment to visit the town of Sonoma, and we found the plaza to be a good place to start. It is the centrally-located green park (though it seems like people also use the term to refer to the many businesses which surround the park).
Speaking just of the park, many people were strolling around it the Friday (11/25) we visited. It is pleasant and tree-lined; in fact, at this time the leaves of the ginko trees were already starting to turn to a brilliant yellow.
The regional visitors bureau is located there on the east side of the park. We found the staff at the tourist office to be engaging and helpful. And there are public restrooms on the back (west side) of the building.

This is a pretty cool place to hang out with couples. We started early around 11am and spent the whole day tasting wines

The Sonoma Plaza is great for shopping and having a great meal. Right in the middle of the plaza is a beautiful park. The "square" is lined with boutique shops and nice restaurants. Plus there are Bakeries and Gelato stores everywhere. You can easily spend an entire day just shopping, eating, and relaxing.

Lovely place to walk around with local fare. My only complaint is that the stores close early. But, there are lots if great restaurants to choose from with good service.

Lots of interesting shops, eateries and tasting rooms to keep you busy. Or just sit on a bench and enjoy the day.

So cute! A quaint little plaza - we wished we had more time to shop and eat. A Lovely town and plaza!

This is a cute area that is pretty much required if you're spending any decent amount of time in wine country, as it's the best place to stop for grabbing lunch.

Town Plaza surrounded by restaurants and shops. Very hard to park on the weekends but there is a public lot on the other side of Spain Street.