The town of Sonoma is designed around a central Plaza. An inviting garden of pink roses and a circular fountain beckon as you approach the historic City hall and Court house at the center of the Plaza. Arched windows and entry ways provide a reminder of the strong Spanish influence over Sonoma for many years.
The flags of several countries have flown over Sonoma at one time or another: Spain, England, Russia, Mexico, the Bear Flag, and the United Sates flag.
Throughout the Plaza plaques and bronze markers announce the significant events which have occurred in the plaza, much to the interest of visitors and the delight of a group of noisy school children who excitedly explore the Plaza with their teachers and escorts.
At the North-east corner of the plaza there is a statue placed by California's 'Native Sons of the Golden West' to comememorate the spot where the Bear Flag Revolt took place in 1846. Prior to that time, the Mexican government prohibited Americans from owning land in California. On June 14, 1846, a crude muslin flag depicting a grizzly bear was raised in Sonoma' Plaza where it flew for over a month before it was replaced by the United States Flag.
The Plaza is a busy place at 10 am this Friday morning: Nannies and Grandmas push the swings beneath their young charges, a flock of ducks noisily bathe in the pond and two young moms conduct a race down the slides as their toddlers vie for the win. Two elderly gentlemen (canes by their side) sit in the sun as my husband and I walk the maniured paths thru the summer flowers in the plaza as they fade into October.
It in no wonder that Jack London referred to Sonoma as 'The Valley of the Moon.' In his book by that name, he acquainted readers with the joys and beauty of Sonoma after he settled in the region in 1913.