Mission San Francisco Solano is located in the historic town of Sonoma and is part of the “Sonoma State Historic Park”. The Park also includes the Sonoma Barracks and the home of General Mariano Vallejo – a 15 minute walk from here.
El Camino Real (the mission trail) ended here. This was the final and northernmost mission and the only one to be established after Mexican independence. It is located right off the lovely Somona Plaza which has many points of interest.
The former convent now houses an excellent museum with mission era artifacts. There are also the original 1903 watercolor paintings of all the missions by Christopher Jorgensen – an accomplished Norwegian artist.
The Sonoma Barracks across the street house additional historic exhibits along with a bookstore and gift shop. The barracks were founded in 1834 by General Vallejo. The soldiers’ quarters are pictured. Click the images below to enlarge.
The small chapel has a low beam ceiling, a floor made of bricks and simple patterns of turquoise, brown, yellow and blue painted on the walls. Where are the chairs or pews?
The mission courtyard has many plants and trees, an adobe oven and there is a well in the center surrounded by benches.
Click the images below to enlarge.
Alta California Missions 