wearing: sweater / statement earrings / black handbag / nail polish / straight leg jeans (old, also love this pair) / black belt /rose and white sneakers /

If you are heading up to wine country and are looking for a beautiful place to grab coffee and learn a little bit about California history, then Downtown Sonoma is the place to go!

There is a fabulous cafe where you can grab coffee and a small breakfast when you first arrive. Basque Boulangerie Cafe has delicious coffee and an overall good vibe. We enjoyed grabbing to-go coffee’s and wandering around downtown.

Sonoma has a mission built in 1823 which you can visit; but double check hours if you would like to go inside.

In addition to a mission, Sonoma State Park includes the Sonoma Barracks, Blue Wing Inn, La Casa Grande, and Toscano Hotel. These sites can be seen downtown, very close to each other by the square. This is the site where California declared its independence from Mexico and captured General Vallejo.

After soaking in California history, I highly recommend indulging in local chocolate! The Chocolate Cow offers locally made chocolate which is to-die-for! I enjoyed a S’Mores, and it was amazing!!

Of course, after eating chocolate you will want to burn it off! haha. You can take a nice walk over to the Hacienda of General Vallejo; one building on site is pictured below. There you will find hiking trails and a serene location to spend some time, or your day. If you aren’t up for walking, there is a parking lot.

We didn’t end up eating lunch downtown, but there are several places to eat; hopefully next time I can find a place and recommend it to you! In the meantime, eat chocolate. haha

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy