Free parking around the Sonoma Plaza just got a little more leisurely.  The free parking time limit around and near the historic Sonoma Plaza was increased from 2-hours to 3-hours.  This may not seem like significant news, unless you consider that many cities have added parking fees or meters rather than extending time limits in order to generate revenues.

There are also several parking lots near the Sonoma Plaza that offer visitors, patrons and locals free all-day parking.  The Casa Grande Parking lot behind the Historic Mexican Army Barracks at 98 E Spain Street is the largest. The Casa Grande Parking lot has approximately 135 free parking spaces for passenger vehicles, those with disabled placards, and for school and tour busses. Vehicles can park from 6am-11pm.  See a map of the lot here. Read More

Celebrate your daily discoveries by bringing one of your newly purchased bottles to the restaurant you’ve selected for dinner. Corkage fees vary, so be sure to ask before you ask the waiter to pop the cork for you. Read More

In 1823, Padre Jose Altimira of Spain established The Mission San Francisco Solano de Sonoma (Sonoma Mission) on land  situated at the northeast corner of today’s Plaza. Sonoma Mission was the northern most Mission on the Camino Real,  and was established to deter Russian incursions from the north.

In 1836, Mexico’s territorial governor for the area, General Mariano Guadelupe Vallejo,  laid-out  The Plaza’s eight acres and the surrounding street grid, turning Sonoma from a mission outpost to a Mexican style pueblo. He built the Barracks for Mexican army troops across the street from the Sonoma Mission, and he built his family’s first Sonoma home, La Casa Grande, on the west side. For a short time, Sonoma Plaza was the center of trade north of San Francisco.

In 1908, Sonoma’s City Hall was built in the center of the Plaza – it was designed with four identical facades so that merchants from any side of the square could say the City Hall faced their businesses. Made of basalt stone from local quarries, the City of Sonoma government offices still remain in this central landmark of the valley.

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This home-grown, boutique fest is a a weekend-long celebration of music, food, and wine. Set at Gundlach Bundschu Winery on a grassy hill, it is a fantastic place to relax and enjoy a glass of wine. Blankets or low-back beach chairs and flat, walking shoes, are encouraged. Pack some sunscreen, a hat and get ready to enjoy a day in the sun! Wears layers as it can get chilly at night.

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If you’re planning to travel between San Francisco and  Sonoma, you will probably be crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. Golden Gate Bridge tolls are collected in the southbound direction via an automated system that “reads” license plate numbers (or senses Fastrak transponders  in the vehicle). There are no human toll takers or mechanized toll boxes. Cars simply slow down and pass through the Toll Plaza without stopping. It is possible to set-up a Golden Gate Bridge payment account, so that tolls are automatically paid from one of your financial accounts; however, this won’t be practical for most out-of-area visitors.

If you’re renting a car, we strongly suggest you ask your Rental Car company agent about your Bay Area bridge toll options BEFORE you leave the rental facility. Many companies offer a Toll Program which will cover all of your Bay Area Bridge Tolls for a flat daily rate, but rental car company policies differ, so be sure to check. One way or another, you will be held accountable for tolls and penalties, so make sure you understand your options BEFORE you cross the Golden Gate Bridge,  in the Southbound direction.

If you’ll be traveling in a personal vehicle, and don’t already have a GGB License Plate Account or Fastrak Transponder, then you have several options. Frankly, the options are bit difficult to explain, so here’re a few links to the official site:

o Golden Gate Bridge Toll Frequently Asked Questions

o Toll Tips for Visitors – Out of State and Out of Country Read More

San Francisco (SFO) and Oakland (OAK) international airports are approximately 60 miles south of the  City of Sonoma and generally provide the best options for most fliers. SFO is on the west side of the Bay, OAK is on the east side. Best Editors Pick is slightly in favor of SFO due to number of flight options, quality of the airport facility, and scenic route to Sonoma, but OAK is definitely a good choice too.

The San Jose Airport (SJC) is a fine alternative, but will add an extra 45 minutes to your drive.  Also, some visitors do fly to Sacramento Airport (SME), but we don’t have enough experience to comment on that.

If you’re flying from Seattle, San Diego, or Los Angeles, it’s worth checking Alaska Airlines for direct flights into the Sonoma County Airport (STS) in Santa Rosa. Driving directions from the Sonoma County Airport to Sonoma take you through Kenwood and Glen, to Sonoma, provide a scenic preview of what you have to look forward to in Sonoma Valley.  It’s a much smaller regional airport – fewer chaos and crowds, fewer flight and car rental options, etc.

Lastly, there are two small private Airports just outside of the town of Sonoma, Sonoma Valley Airport and Sonoma Skyport. Read More

Bridges

The Bay Area is home to three of the most spectacular suspension bridges in the world, two on the same short stretch of roadway.

Golden Gate Bridge ( San Francisco <> Marin County):  The iconic bridge is a landmark well worth the hype. The scenic overlook at the north anchorage  provides an awesome view of San Francisco and the Bay, as well as public restrooms for those in need. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also walk out on the bridge and watch the tankers pass underneath.

The Bay Bridges (San Francisco <> Oakland): The new Bay Bridge segment between Oakland and Treasure Island is the newest major landmark in the SF Bay Area. Westbound, driving from Oakland to San Francisco, the toll is collected at Oakland anchorage. Read More