sonoma sh park | travelforkids

Sonoma State Historic Park is a unique part of 19th century California history. Seven flags have flown over Sonoma - flags from Spain, England, Russia, Mexican Empire, Republic of Mexico, Bear flag, and flag of the United States. Visiting Sonoma, kids can see a replica of the Bear Flag, flown over Sonoma Plaza, when a group of settlers declared the "Republic of California" and independence from Mexico.

Mission San Francisco Solano de Sonoma -The Sonoma Mission is 21st and last California mission. Mission San Francisco Solano was founded on July 4, 1823, and functioned as a working mission until 1834. Originally, around the mission quadrangle – church, living quarters and workshops – were orchards, vineyards, pastures for livestock.

Entrance to mission is through the padre's quarters, with diorama of the mission quadrangle.

The interior of the chapel (made with adobe bricks) is painted with Stations of the Cross on the walls, and life-size figures of Mary and Jesus around the altar, typical of an early 19th century California church.

Wander out into the outdoor courtyard, complete with beehive-shaped bake ovens, a fountain and shady spot to rest under the olive trees, and huge clumps of prickly pear cactus (the nopal cactus is edible and was planted for food).

Events - Children's Day at the Mission - Kids can step into 19th century activities: make candles, rope, corn husk dolls, shell and bead necklaces, learn how to weave baskets, cattle roping, branding, watch Native American dancing, listen to storytelling, pet farm animals, taste cornbread made in the wood burning bake oven. Highly recommended.

Sonoma Barracks - In 1836, General Vallejo, the commander of the presidio in San Francisco, sent in a contingent of Mexican soldiers to keep an eye on the Russian colony at Fort Ross. The soldiers wore blue uniforms with red trim and dashing wide black hats, carried pistols, swords, muskets, and rode horses with vaquero style saddles. One room in the barracks is a re-creation of the soldiers' living quarters and lifestyle.

Don't miss a copy of the California Bear Flag , a hand sewn flag raised in 1846 as a declaration of the "California Republic."

Vallejo Home - General Vallejo, a Mexican commander, created a lovely family home with his wife and daughters here in Sonoma, preserved amidst acres of open land today. The house, called "Lachryma Montis" ("tears of the mountain," named for a spring on the land), has a spiffy parlor, dining room (note the baby's high chair), and study on the first floor. Upstairs are bedrooms, and a nursery with porcelain dolls and doll houses.

Outside the house is lovely shaded picnic area - bike to the house and bring your lunch.

Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park - General Vallejo also owned the largest ranch in the valley, Rancho de Petaluma. Today, step into the 19th century life, with adobe brick house, storerooms and workshops for rendering tallow from cowhides, making candles, dying wool, weaving blankets, and blacksmithing.