Community Profiles
City of Sonoma

With a population of about 10,000 people, the City of Sonoma is the hub of Sonoma Valley life. The shaded, eight-acre Sonoma Plaza is the largest town square of its kind, a National Historic Landmark, and the focal point for seasonal festivals and community events. Its carefully preserved adobe buildings include the Mission San Francisco Solano de Sonoma, the last in California’s 21- mission chain, and the former Mexican army barracks. Tasting rooms, chic boutiques, quaint hotels, and award-winning restaurants also surround the square. Two of the oldest wineries in California, manicured neighborhoods, most of the Valley’s schools, and many major businesses lie within the City boundaries.  

The Springs
The communities of El Verano, Boyes Hot Springs, Agua Caliente (Spanish for “hot water”), and Fetters Hot Springs—collectively known as “The Springs”—have been popular since the turn of the 20th century, when the railroads first began promoting Sonoma Valley. Today, the mineral waters continue to bring visitors to the area, which is home to a growing residential and business community. It is also home to three of Sonoma Valley’s elementary schools and one middle school, as well as La Luz Bilingual Center, which promotes a strong and healthy multicultural community through educational and other programs.

The Springs is one of three Sonoma County Redevelopment Areas, making it eligible for property-tax-funded community improvements that support economic development, housing, and infrastructure needs. The Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce is a founding member of the Springs Task Force, a partnership to promote and support the health and vitality of this key section of the Valley.

Glen Ellen
Since the early 1900s, the quaint village of Glen Ellen—just up the road from Sonoma—has welcomed visitors. Foremost among the town’s attractions is the physical beauty that surrounds it. Guarded by the towering Sonoma mountains to the west and rugged Mayacamas to the east, the community is nestled in a thickly oak-forested riparian wonderland. Here author Jack London lived and wrote at his Beauty Ranch, now an 800-acre state historic park. Visitors can experience the charming shops and excellent restaurants that line the main road through town or hike the trails that traverse the lush Valley floor and surrounding hillsides.

Kenwood
Located in northern Sonoma Valley off of Highway 12, Kenwood is a quiet town with rich Sonoma Valley history. It is home to 1,440 residents, as well as award-winning vineyards, wineries, and restaurants. Two beautiful state parks—Annadel and Sugarloaf Ridge—border Kenwood, providing access to hiking, biking, and camping.