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Sonoma County, California facts for kids

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For the California wine region, see Sonoma County wine.
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Sonoma County, California
County
County of Sonoma
BodegaBayCAEdit3194.jpg
Sonoma City Hall.jpg
Cannons & Chapel, Fort Ross State Historical Monument, CA 7-5-2010 5-59-11 PM.JPG
Images, from top down, left to right: Bodega Bay, Sonoma Plaza, Fort Ross
Official seal of Sonoma County, California
Seal
Motto(s): 
"Agriculture, Industry, Recreation"
Location in the state of California
Location in the state of California
Country  United States
State  California
Region San Francisco Bay Area
Incorporated February 18, 1850
Named for the city of Sonoma
County seat (and largest city) Santa Rosa
Government
 • Type Council–Administrator
 • Body Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Area
 • Total 1,768 sq mi (4,580 km2)
 • Land 1,576 sq mi (4,080 km2)
 • Water 192 sq mi (500 km2)
Highest elevation
4,483 ft (1,366 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 488,863
 • Density 276.51/sq mi (106.760/km2)
GDP
 • Total $36.877 billion (2022)
Time zone UTC−8 (Pacific Time Zone)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−7 (Pacific Daylight Time)
Area code 707
FIPS code 06-097
GNIS feature ID 1657246
Congressional districts 2nd, 4th

Sonoma County (Listeni/səˈnoʊmə/) is a county in California. As of 2020, about 488,863 people live there. Its main city and government center is Santa Rosa.

Sonoma County is part of the larger San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland area. It is the northernmost county in the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.

This county is a big part of California's Wine Country. It has many wineries and is known for producing lots of grapes. People have also worked to protect natural areas, like forests and coastal lands. Over 8.4 million tourists visit Sonoma County each year.

Sonoma County is a top producer of hops, grapes, and apples. It also makes dairy and poultry products. This is because it has rich farmland and plenty of water for irrigation.

History of Sonoma County

The first people to live in Sonoma County were the Pomo, Coast Miwok, and Wappo tribes. They settled here between 8000 and 5000 BC. They lived in a way that respected the land. You can still find ancient rock carvings made by these early people.

Russian chapel at Fort Ross (2016)
Fort Ross was built by Russians in 1812.

Later, people from Spain, Russia, and other parts of Europe came to the county. They were looking for timber, fur, and farmland. The Russians were the first to build a lasting settlement. They set up Fort Ross on the Sonoma Coast in 1812. This fort had hundreds of Russian and Aleut settlers. The Russians left in 1841 and sold the fort to John Sutter.

"General Vallejo Reviewing His Troops in Sonoma, 1846"
General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo reviewing his troops in Sonoma, 1846

The Mission San Francisco Solano was built in 1823. It was the last of the 21 California missions. It is in the city of Sonoma. In 1836, General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo established the Presidio de Sonoma. He watched over the Russian traders and managed the land. The city of Sonoma was also where the Bear Flag Revolt happened in 1846. This event was important for California becoming a state.

Sonoma was one of California's first counties when it became a state in 1850. The county seat was first the town of Sonoma. But by the 1850s, Sonoma was not as important. Other towns like Petaluma and Santa Rosa were growing fast. People wanted the county seat moved. In 1854, Santa Rosa became the new county seat. It is said that some Santa Rosa residents moved the county records there themselves one night!

After 1847, the city of Sonoma was a key stop for travelers. But then, Petaluma grew because of its location on the Petaluma River. It became a busy trade center. Later, Santa Rosa and Healdsburg also grew. When railroads arrived in the 1860s, Santa Rosa became the main center of the region.

Over time, Sonoma County has been claimed by several nations:

Sonoma County was hit hard by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. More recently, wildfires have caused a lot of damage. Major fires include the Tubbs Fire (2017), Nuns Fire (2017), Kincade Fire (2019), Walbridge Fire (2020), and Glass Fire (2020).

The county has nearly 200 official historical landmarks.

What's in a Name? The Etymology of Sonoma

Edward S. Curtis Collection People 100
Pomo girl around 1924.

The name "Sonoma" comes from the local Native American tribes. The Pomo and Coast Miwok people said it means "valley of the moon" or "many moons." Their stories say the moon rested in this valley. This idea was made popular by writer Jack London in his 1913 novel The Valley of the Moon.

Other ideas for the name's meaning include "earth village" or even "nose." Some think it might come from a word for "nose" because a local chief had a big nose. Or it could refer to a nose-shaped hill. Another idea is that it means "redwood place."

Geography and Natural Beauty

Hoodmtndown
Hood Mountain with vineyards in front.

Sonoma County covers about 1,768 square miles. Most of it is land, but 192 square miles are water.

The county is in the California Coast Ranges. It has mountains like the Mayacamas and Sonoma Mountains. The highest point is Mt. Saint Helena. You can find rare pygmy forests here, with small cypress trees. Sonoma Mountain has two public parks: Jack London State Historic Park and Fairfield Osborn Preserve.

The county includes the City of Sonoma and the Sonoma Valley. But Sonoma Valley is just one part of the county. There are many other valleys and areas, like the Petaluma Valley and the Russian River area.

Sonoma County has many different natural areas. These include oak forests, redwood forests, grasslands, and marshes. Annadel State Park has beautiful oak woodlands with many different plants and animals. These forests are special because they haven't been disturbed by farming or grazing.

Common trees in the oak woodlands include Pacific madrone and Douglas fir. You might also see coast live oak and California laurel.

Climate and Weather Patterns

DryCreekValley
Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley.

Sonoma County has many different climates, even close together. This is because of how close it is to the ocean, its elevation, and the mountains. Weather usually comes from the Pacific Ocean. Places closer to the ocean get more rain and fog. Places further inland are warmer and drier.

The coast is often cool and foggy in summer. The fog usually rolls in during the afternoon and clears in the morning. Coastal summer temperatures are usually in the 60s or low 70s Fahrenheit.

Inland areas like Petaluma and Santa Rosa also get fog, but it's shorter-lived. Mid-day temperatures are much higher, often in the low 80s F. Areas further north, like Healdsburg, are warmer with less fog. Cloverdale, in the far north, is the hottest city, often reaching the 90s or even 100s F.

Even with these differences, most of the county has cool nights. This is due to the ocean's cooling effect. This means there's a big difference between daytime highs and nighttime lows.

Rainfall also varies. Most of the county gets 25-30 inches of rain a year. But areas in the northwest, like Guerneville and Cazadero, get much more. Cazadero can get over 70 inches of rain a year, making it one of the wettest places in California!

Snow is very rare in Sonoma County. You might only see it on the highest mountains like Mount Saint Helena.

Waterways and Coastline

Sonoma coastline from Bodega Head-L1001155
Typical Sonoma County coastline as seen from Bodega Head.

Sonoma County has 76 miles of coastline along the Pacific Ocean. Key coastal spots include Bodega Bay and the mouths of the Russian River and Gualala River. All the county's beaches were very clean in 2010.

Most of the county's cities are in the Santa Rosa Plain. Water from the northern plain flows into the Russian River. Water from the southern plain flows into the Laguna de Santa Rosa, which then goes into the Russian River.

The Russian River

Russian River mouth on California coast
Goat Rock Beach as seen from the Jenner Cliffs, showing the mouth of the Russian River at the Pacific Ocean.

The Russian River is very important to central and northern Sonoma County. It starts in Mendocino County and flows south through Sonoma County. It turns west at Healdsburg and empties into the Pacific Ocean at Jenner.

Laguna de Santa Rosa

The Laguna de Santa Rosa is the largest stream feeding into the Russian River. It's 14 miles long and is a very important wildlife area. It has many different habitats like marshes, wetlands, and forests. It helps with water quality and flood control for the county.

Other Water Bodies

The county's southern border is near San Pablo Bay, which connects to San Francisco Bay. The Petaluma River, Tolay Creek, and Sonoma Creek flow into this bay. The area where they meet the bay is a huge marsh called the Napa Sonoma Marsh.

Other important creeks include Americano Creek and Sonoma Creek. Lakes and reservoirs include Lake Sonoma, Tolay Lake, and Lake Ilsanjo.

Marine Protected Areas

These are like underwater parks that help protect ocean wildlife and ecosystems.

Threatened and Endangered Species

Sonoma County is home to several rare and endangered plants and animals. These include:

  • The California clapper rail (a type of bird)
  • Salt marsh harvest mouse
  • Northern red-legged frog
  • Sacramento splittail (a fish)
  • California freshwater shrimp
  • Showy Indian clover (a plant)
  • Hickman's potentilla (a plant)
  • Northern spotted owl
  • Marbled murrelet (a sea bird)

Some species are especially important locally. These include the California tiger salamander, coho salmon, and certain endangered plants. Some plants, like Sebastopol meadowfoam and Sonoma sunshine, are found only in Sonoma County.

The Sonoma County Water Agency has a program to help fish. They focus on protecting steelhead, Chinook salmon, and Coho salmon. These fish are listed as threatened or endangered.

Neighboring Counties

Sonoma County shares borders with:

Protected Areas

Part of the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge is in Sonoma County.

Getting Around: Transportation in Sonoma County

Major Roads

U.S. Route 101 U.S. Route 101 is a major highway that runs north and south through Sonoma County. It connects seven of the county's nine cities. It's a freeway for its entire length in the county. This highway can get very busy during rush hour. Work is being done to make parts of it wider.

State Route 1 Highway 1 follows the beautiful coastline of Sonoma County. It runs from the Mendocino County border down to the Marin County border.

State Route 12

CA SR-12 Sonoma
State Route 12 in Sonoma (Broadway).

Highway 12 goes east from Sebastopol to Santa Rosa. Then it turns south through the Valley of the Moon to Sonoma. This highway also gets very busy in Santa Rosa.

State Route 37 Highway 37 connects Highway 101 in Marin County to Interstate 80 in Solano County. In Sonoma County, it's also called Sears Point Road.

State Route 116 Highway 116 is a winding road that goes from Jenner on the coast to near Sonoma. It has different names in different areas, like "Pocket Canyon" and "Gravenstein Highway."

State Route 121 Highway 121 is a rural road that connects Highway 37 to Highway 128 in Napa County.

State Route 128 The northern part of Highway 128 runs southeast from Highway 101 in Geyserville. It goes through the Alexander Valley into Napa County.

Public Transport

  • Sonoma County Transit provides bus service across the county.
  • CityBus operates within Santa Rosa.
  • Cloverdale and Petaluma also have their own local bus services.
  • Golden Gate Transit connects Santa Rosa to Marin County and San Francisco.
  • Mendocino Transit Authority runs buses north from Santa Rosa.
  • Sonoma–Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) is a train line. It currently runs between the Sonoma County Airport and Larkspur in Marin County. It plans to extend to Cloverdale.

Airports

The Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport is the main airport. It's located between Santa Rosa and Windsor. It offers daily flights from Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and United Airlines.

There are also five smaller airports for general aviation:

  • Cloverdale Municipal Airport
  • Healdsburg Municipal Airport
  • Petaluma Municipal Airport
  • Sonoma Skypark
  • Sonoma Valley Airport

Railroads

Railroads of Sonoma County California
Historical railroads of Sonoma County.
PostcardMesaGrandeCARailroadStationCirca1910
Mesa Grande train station, around 1910.

Railroads played a big role in Sonoma County's history. In 1864, the Petaluma and Haystack Railroad connected Petaluma to a ferry. In 1870, the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad connected Santa Rosa to ferries. This line was later extended north to Healdsburg and Cloverdale.

Other rail lines were built to connect different parts of the county. Some of these old rail lines have now become trails, like the Joe Rodota Trail.

The Sonoma–Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) train started passenger service in 2017. It uses some of the old railroad tracks.

People of Sonoma County: Demographics

Sonoma County has grown a lot over the years. In 1850, there were only 560 people. By 2020, the population was 488,863.

The county is very diverse. In 2020, about 58.5% of people were White (not Hispanic). About 28.9% of people were of Hispanic or Latino background. There are also communities of Black, Asian, Native American, and Pacific Islander people. Many people identify with two or more races.

The median age in 2000 was 38 years old. This means half the population was younger than 38 and half was older.

Economy: How Sonoma County Makes Money

Vineyardsonomamtn
Vineyard on the side of Sonoma Mountain.

Farming has always been very important to Sonoma County's economy. About 2% of the people work in agriculture. This is almost double the state average. The county's good climate and rich soil allow for many different crops and livestock.

Winemaking is the most valuable industry. It started in 1850. Sonoma County is famous for its wine. In 2019, the wine industry produced over $654 million worth of grapes. About 80% of the county's farmland is used for vineyards. The most common grapes grown are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir. Sonoma County has over 425 wineries.

Dairy farming is another big industry, especially in the western part of the county. In 2019, it was worth nearly $140 million. Sonoma County has about 65 dairies, including well-known ones like Clover Sonoma. Many dairies here are certified organic.

Poultry farming (raising chickens for eggs and meat) and other livestock are also important. This includes cattle and sheep. In 2019, this industry was worth $250 million.

Fishing and crabbing are focused on Bodega Bay. In 2019, this industry was worth over $9.3 million. The main catches are Dungeness crab and Chinook salmon.

After grapes, apples are the second most common crop. They are grown mostly near Sebastopol. The county is known for its Gravenstein apples. Farmers also grow olives, hay, and various vegetables. There are also many nurseries that grow flowers and other decorative plants.

The timber industry is not as big as it used to be. It's mainly along the western coast. The most common trees cut are Redwoods, pines, and oaks.

Sonoma County also has some technology companies, like Keysight in Santa Rosa. It's also home to several well-known brewing companies, such as Lagunitas Brewing Company. The clothing company Marmot is based in Rohnert Park.

Learning in Sonoma County: Education

Colleges and Universities

  • Empire College, Santa Rosa
  • Golden Gate University (Rohnert Park)
  • Santa Rosa Junior College
  • Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park
  • University of San Francisco (Santa Rosa Campus)

K-12 Schools

Sonoma County has many different school districts. They are divided into unified (all grades), secondary (high school), and elementary (kindergarten to middle school).

Library System

The Sonoma County Library system has a main library in Santa Rosa. It also has 10 branch libraries and two smaller stations. More than half of the county's residents have library cards. They borrow over 2.5 million items each year. The library also helps adults learn to read and provides free internet access.

Fun Places to Visit in Sonoma County

CA 1 north of Jenner
Coastal prairie in the Sonoma Coast State Park north of Jenner.
Tolaylakefromthesouth
Tolay Lake Regional Park.

Sonoma County has many interesting places to explore:

Cities and Towns in Sonoma County

Sonoma County has nine official cities and towns.

Downtown Santa Rosa - Empire Building
Downtown Santa Rosa, the county seat since 1854.
Petaluma CA Street
Downtown Petaluma.
Community Population Incorporation Date
City of Cloverdale 8,618 February 28, 1872
City of Cotati 7,265 July 16, 1963
City of Healdsburg 11,254 February 20, 1867
City of Petaluma 57,941 April 12, 1858
City of Rohnert Park 40,971 August 28, 1962
City of Santa Rosa 167,815 March 26, 1868
City of Sebastopol 7,379 June 13, 1902
City of Sonoma 10,648 September 3, 1883
Town of Windsor 26,801 July 1, 1992

Other Communities (Census-Designated Places)

These are areas that are not officially cities but are recognized for census purposes.

Other Unincorporated Places

These are smaller communities that are not officially incorporated as cities or towns.

Images for kids

  • Map of Sonoma County 1884

    An 1884 map showing the 14 civil townships of Sonoma County.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Sonoma para niños

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