City of Sonoma: The Plaza

One of the many features of the Sonoma Plaza is the lovely rose garden. Here there are several groups of roses - the yellows, the reds, the variegated, etc. creating a display that makes a tourist want to begin a rose garden upon arrival back home!

California State Parks: Lachryma Montis (Sonoma)

I enjoy my role as docent for California State Parks, especially when I offer tours through the home of General Vallejo, the founder of the City of Sonoma. His home was built in 1850 from a kit! It's a Boston House, the parts of which were shipped around the Horn for construction on the site. So here I was today, enjoying my tiny part in interpreting local history.

City of Sonoma: Olsen Park

Olsen Park is one of those sweet little pocket parks tucked away in a peaceful neighborhood. You stumble upon it if you're walking on the Sonoma Bike Path, as I was yesterday. Occasionally I see guys playing on the basketball court or a couple moms will be supervising the urchins in the playground. Dogs are not allowed here and alas! there are no public restrooms. There are BBQ grills, however, and it's always a quiet little getaway.