Our oldest settlement, Sonoma, was founded by Spanish missionaries in 1823 and is known as the birthplace of American California, for it was in this town plaza that the Bear Flag Revolt took place and a Bear Flag was first raised on June 14, 1846. The rebelling men claimed to act on the orders of Col. John C. Fremont proclaiming independence from Mexican rule and a free country called the California Republic here. Sonoma served as the capital of the short-lived California Republic until the United States Stars and Stripes flag was raised during the Mexican-American war. These days Sonoma is known for great food, great wine, a wonderful town square, and the still existing historic structures that line the square and dot the countryside around it.
This is one of the tourist magnet towns of Sonoma county.