Sonoma, California

Check out that old stone building! It's the Sam Kee Laundry Building, built back in 1875, and it's Napa's oldest stone structure. It's a reminder of the Chinese immigrants who played a vital role in shaping this…

This spot matters because the Napa Valley Opera House has been a cultural cornerstone of Napa for well over a century. Built in 1879, it quickly became the premier entertainment venue in the region, hosting everything…

The salt marsh stretches to the horizon, broken only by the skeletal remains of a long-abandoned pier. This is Sears Point, California, a place where the wind seems to carry whispers of its past as a bustling transport…

Pull over for a moment to glimpse Napa's oldest standing structure, the Cayetano Juárez Adobe. Built in 1845, it was the home of Cayetano Juárez, an early Californio settler, before California even became a state.…

Lenwood, California, sits on the edge of the Mojave Desert, a place shaped by the westward expansion of the United States and the railroads that followed. Like many towns in the High Desert, Lenwood’s story is tied to…

The land now known as Petaluma was once the territory of the Coast Miwok people, who named it "Petaluma," meaning "flat back," a reference to the landscape. The area's fertile soil and proximity to the Petaluma River…

Imagine the performances and gatherings that once filled the halls of this historic opera house in downtown Petaluma. The Old Petaluma Opera House, also known as the Maclay Building, is a landmark right here in town.…

Check out that house! It’s a beautiful example of Queen Anne architecture, built way back in 1892. That's the Philip Sweed House, named for Philip Sweed, located right here at the corner of Keokuk and Prospect Streets…

Right here is where a pivotal, but often overlooked, battle took place that helped shape California as we know it. In 1846, this area was the site of the Battle of Olómpali, part of the Bear Flag Revolt. About 80…

Black Point-Green Point owes its existence to the Petaluma River, a waterway that once pulsed with the lifeblood of commerce. Named for the striking contrast of its dark rock outcroppings and the surrounding green hills…

American Canyon, a relatively young city carved into the landscape just off Interstate 80, embodies a particular California dream. It’s a place where the suburban hum of quiet streets meets the pull of both wine country…

Novato, California, nestled comfortably north of San Francisco, carries its history in its name. Novato, meaning "strong valley" or "powerful valley," tips its hat to the Coast Miwok chief Marin, whose local name was…

Before the tract homes and the Green Music Center, before the bustling commerce of a planned city, Rohnert Park was something else entirely: rolling hills, grazing cattle, and the quiet promise of fertile land. The…

Napa Valley's oldest winery, founded 1861; the region's rise to world prominence at the 1976 Judgment of Paris.

Get ready to raise a glass to history! Beringer Vineyards isn't just another pretty winery; it's the oldest continuously operating one in Napa Valley. Founded in 1876 by brothers Jacob and Frederick Beringer, who came…

Imagine the grit and spray of the Pacific as you gaze upon the Balclutha! This iron-hulled sailing ship embodies a bygone era of global trade and maritime adventure. Built in 1886, the Balclutha hauled everything from…

Vallejo, a city perched on the edge of the San Pablo Bay, carries a history etched in both industry and artistry. While the Mare Island Naval Shipyard once defined its economic landscape, its closure in 1996 didn't sink…

This unassuming chapel witnessed history unfold on Mare Island, the first naval shipyard on the Pacific coast. Dedicated on 1901, St. Peter's Chapel was the first interdenominational chapel in the armed services, and…

Prepare to be amazed by the legacy of a plant wizard! This is the Luther Burbank Home and Gardens, the place where Burbank spent his life developing hundreds of new varieties of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Luther…

This seemingly unassuming building holds a secret: it used to be Vallejo City Hall!Back in 1872, this spot was the heart of Vallejo's government. Imagine horse-drawn carriages pulling up, important decisions being made…

Check out that building! Rosenberg's Department Store is the most significant example of Streamline Moderne architecture in Santa Rosa. Built in 1946 by architect Douglas Stone, Rosenberg's was *the* place to shop. It…

Imagine escaping the San Francisco fog for a relaxing summer in Sonoma County! That's exactly what the McDonald family did when they built this grand Victorian mansion back in 1876. The McDonald Mansion, originally…

The smell of smoke still clings to certain Santa Rosa neighborhoods, a phantom echo of the Tubbs Fire that redrew the city's map just a few years ago. But even that catastrophic event couldn't erase the underlying…

This beautiful stone building is more than just a pretty facade; it's a symbol of resilience after a devastating earthquake. In 1906, the San Francisco earthquake leveled much of the region, including the building that…

For 142 years, this was the US Navy's first base on the Pacific, building ships for conflicts from the Civil War to the Cold War. Established in 1854, the Mare Island Naval Shipyard became a crucial hub for shipbuilding…

Imagine a time when grinding grain was a community affair, and this spot was the heart of it all. In 1846, Edward Bale, for whom the mill is named, completed this grist mill. It harnessed the power of water to grind…

Imagine sipping sparkling wine that's graced presidential tables! That's the legacy of Schramsberg Vineyards. In 1862, Jacob Schram, a German immigrant, founded this winery in the Napa Valley. He had a vision: to create…