Sonoma Valley facts for kids
Sonoma Valley is a beautiful valley in southeastern Sonoma County, California. It's part of the San Francisco Bay Area. This valley is famous as the starting point of the California wine industry. Some of its first vineyards and wineries are still here today! They even survived a plant disease in the 1870s and a time called Prohibition in the early 1900s, when making and selling alcohol was against the law. Today, the wines from this valley are protected by special government rules called American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), like the Sonoma Valley and Carneros AVAs.
Sonoma Valley has many fun events all year, including the Sonoma International Film Festival. You can visit places like the Quarryhill Botanic Garden, Mission San Francisco Solano, Jack London State Historic Park, Sonoma State Historic Park, and the historic Blue Wing Inn from 1840.
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Exploring Sonoma Valley's Location
This valley is in southeastern Sonoma County. It sits between two mountain ranges: the Mayacamas Mountains and the Sonoma Mountains. The valley stretches from San Pablo Bay in the south all the way up to the city of Santa Rosa in the north. A stream called Sonoma Creek flows through the valley and into the bay.
The main city in the valley is Sonoma. Part of Santa Rosa is also in the valley. There are also smaller towns like Kenwood and Glen Ellen near Santa Rosa. Closer to Sonoma, you'll find El Verano, Boyes Hot Springs, Fetters Hot Springs, and Agua Caliente.
Sonoma Valley's Rich History
Long ago, the Miwok, Pomo, and Wintun peoples lived in this valley. They called it the "Valley of the Moon" in their old stories. Later, in 1823, the Franciscan order from Spain chose this valley to build the Mission San Francisco Solano. This was the last and northernmost of their twenty-one missions built in Alta California. It was the only California mission built when Mexico was a newly independent country.
- Changes for Native Peoples
Sadly, after the Spanish arrived, the native people lost their land. Many also became sick from diseases that Europeans could resist. Soon after the Sonoma mission was built, the Mexican government took control of it. A leader named Lieutenant (later General) Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo then planned the town of Sonoma. It was designed like a typical Mexican town, with a central plaza that is still important today.
- The Bear Flag Republic
In 1846, a group of Americans raised the first Bear Flag here. They arrested General Vallejo. This event started the Bear Flag Republic. Vallejo later supported California becoming a U.S. state in 1850. He used his large land holdings to help the town grow and gave out many ranches across the valley. California's very first wineries, like Buena Vista Winery (1857) and Gundlach Bundschu (1858), were started here.
- Growth of Other Communities
Other towns in the valley, such as Kenwood, Glen Ellen, Schellville, and Boyes Hot Springs, were founded later in the 1800s. Some started as resorts because of the natural hot springs that come from deep underground. Boyes Hot Springs and Agua Caliente were popular health getaways for visitors from San Francisco until the mid-1900s. Today, the Sonoma Mission Inn in Boyes Hot Springs is still a popular resort. Wineries, historic sites, and the valley's natural beauty are the main reasons tourists visit.
In October 2017, the Tubbs Fire caused a lot of damage in Sonoma Valley.
Why is it Called "Valley of the Moon"?
The name "Valley of the Moon" was first written down in 1850 by General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo.
- Native American Meanings
According to the famous writer Jack London, who had a ranch here, the Native American word Sonoma means "valley of the moon." He even used this name for his book. However, there are other possible meanings for Sonoma. The Miwok and Pomo tribes who lived in the valley said it meant "valley of the moon" or "many moons." It's possible that early settlers accidentally changed "many moons" to "valley of moons." Miwok legends say the moon seemed to rise from this valley, or was "nestled" there, or even appeared many times in one night.
- Other Possible Meanings
In native languages, there's also a common ending tso-noma. Tso means earth, and noma means village, so tsonoma could mean "earth village." Other ideas suggest Sonoma comes from the Patwin tribes. Their Wintu word for "nose" is sonom. Some believe Spanish explorers might have met a Native American chief with a large nose and called the village and area "Chief Nose." The name might also have come from a geographic feature that looked like a nose.
Amazing Places to Visit in Sonoma Valley
- Quarryhill Botanic Garden: This is a special botanical garden for research. It has one of the biggest collections of Asian plants that grow in cooler climates in North America. You can visit Quarryhill!
- Mission San Francisco Solano: This was the 21st, last, and northernmost mission built in Alta California.
- Jack London State Historic Park: Also known as Jack London Home and Ranch, this California State Historic Park is near Glen Ellen. It's on the eastern side of Sonoma Mountain.
- Sonoma State Historic Park: This state park is in the middle of Sonoma, California. It includes six important sites: the Mission San Francisco Solano, the Presidio of Sonoma (or Sonoma Barracks), the Toscano Hotel, the Blue Wing Inn, and La Casa Grande and Lachryma Montis.
- Sonoma Creek: This stream is about 33.4 miles (53.8 kilometers) long. It starts in Sugarloaf Mountain State Park and flows into San Pablo Bay at the Napa Sonoma Marsh.
- Wine Country: This area of Northern California is known worldwide for growing excellent wine grapes.
- Sonoma Plaza: The town square of Sonoma is a very important historical site. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Blue Wing Inn: Built in 1840, this inn hosted many famous people, according to local stories. Guests included John C. Frémont, U. S. Grant, Governor Pío Pico, Kit Carson, Joe Hooker, William T. Sherman, and Phil Sheridan. Members of the Bear Flag Party also stayed here.
- General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo Home: This was the official home of the last Spanish governor.
- Presidio of Sonoma adobe: An old building from the military post.
- Toscano Hotel: Another historic building in the state park.
- Swiss Hotel: An old adobe building that was General Vallejo's brother's home, located on the Plaza.
- Sebastiani Theatre: A historic movie theater built in 1933 by Samuele Sebastiani.
- Sonoma TrainTown Railroad: A fun miniature amusement park with trains.
- Depot Park: A local park.
- Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau: You can find this office on the Plaza, next to City Hall, to get information about visiting the valley.
Images for kids
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Aerial photo of Sonoma Valley
