San Francisco Solano

San Francisco Solano

General Information

Founded:

July 4, 1823 - The 21st California Mission

Also Called:

Sonoma Mission

Current Status:

What remained of the mission was sold to a private party in 1881. Between 1911-1913, the mission was rebuilt with the support of the Historic Landmark League which acquired the property in 1903. The last major restoration was completed in 1943-1944. The restored mission is now part of Sonoma State Historic Park.

Summary:

San Francisco Solano, the last California mission, was founded on July 4, 1823. The 1840 church was restored in 1913. The restored mission complex includes the church, the padres' quarters (now a museum), and a large quadrangle. There is a commemorative wall with the names of the Indian neophytes located on the west side of the mission.

Address

114 East Spain Street
Sonoma, CA 95476
United States

Get Directions

Directions

This is a good one to find with your car navigation or use the Google Maps link above. The mission is located right on the square in the Town of Sonoma at East Spain Street and 1st Street.

Phone(s)

707-938-9560 - Mission Sonoma

707-939-9420 - Soldiers Barracks/Museum

707-936-1519 - Sonoma State Historic Park

Fees, Hours and Tours

Please contact the mission directly by telephone or by visiting the official park website for the most current information.

This is not an active Catholic Church. However, there is a restored church which visitors can view during their tour. It is quite tasteful and authentic looking.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, it is best to check for current information.

Mission San Francisco Solano Wooden Bell Rack
Mission San Francisco Solano Wooden Bell Rack

Weddings and Other Special Services

Visit the Sonoma State Historic Park facilities webpage for information regarding use of the facilities for special events.

Unique Attractions

  • The biggest attraction in Sonoma is the town itself which is rich in historic sites and many world-class wineries.
  • The mission is centrally located on the town's historic square. The wing that was the padre's quarters is now the museum. The mission dining room now displays renderings of all of the California missions painted by Chris Jorgensen between 1903-1905.
  • The large mission quadrangle is included in any tour. It is also used for special events.
  • The names of the mission neophytes of San Francisco Solana are displayed on a commemorative wall on the west side of the mission church.
  • The Mexican-era Soldier's Barracks (just across from the mission) has been restored and now contains a small museum and a gift shop.
Mission San Francisco Solano by Chris Jorgensen
Mission San Francisco Solano by Chris Jorgensen
Mission San Francisco Solano Courtyard
Mission San Francisco Solano Courtyard
Mission San Francisco Solano Commemorative Wall
Mission San Francisco Solano Commemorative Wall
Sonoma Barrack Museum
Sonoma Barrack Museum

Other Historic Attractions

  • General Mariano Vallejo's home, Lachryma Montis, about one (1) mile from the mission. Vallejo was the dominant figure in Northern California before the American takeover. The complex has an informative museum.
  • Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park is located at 3325 Adobe Road in Petaluma. Phone number is 707-762-4871 and the website is https://www.petalumaadobe.com.
The Mariano Vallejo House
The Mariano Vallejo House

Tips for Visitors

  • Mission San Francisco Solano and the Mexican-era Soldier's Barracks are both managed by the Sonoma Historic State Park but they are each a distinct attraction.
  • Be sure to look for the monument to one of the most historic events in California. The Raising of the Bear Flag Monument was built to commemorate when California was declared a republic on June 14, 1846. It is located directly across from the Mission and the Soldier's Barracks on the edge of the central square.
  • Allow yourself at least a half day to explore the mission and other historic buildings as well as the shops on the central square of Sonoma.
Bear Flag Monument
Bear Flag Monument

Year Securlarized

1834

Patron Saint (Named For)

Saint Francis Solano, a Spanish Franciscan who served for twenty (20) years as a missionary in Peru and Paraguay.

Prominent Missionary Leaders

  • Founding Missionary - Fr. José Altimira

Indians Joining Missionary

Neophytes were primarily members of the Coast Miwok, Pomo, Suisunes, Wappo, and Patwin tribes. The mission was established at the site of the village of Huchi.

Coast Miwok Man with Bow by Michael Tikhanov 1818
Coast Miwok Man with Bow by Michael Tikhanov 1818

Mission Site

In the center of Sonoma, forty (40) miles north of San Francisco.

Mission Layout

In the mission era, San Francisco Solano was laid out in a traditional quadrangle close to where the town of Sonoma developed.

Water Source

There was ample water from a spring a quarter of a mile northeast of the mission complex.

Population

The highest mission population was 996 in 1832.

Livestock

San Francisco Solano only operated for eleven (11) years before it was secularized. It did have a meaningful herd of 3,500 cattle and 900 horses. The mission's total of 5,063 animals (in 1832) was the smallest in the mission chain.

San Francisco Solano Cattle Brand
San Francisco Solano Cattle Brand

Agricultural Output

Mission Sonoma did not have time to fully develop its agriculture. Output between mission founding and 1832 was only about 14,000 bushels of grain and produce. An official U.S. Land Survey shows a large mission vineyard.

Layout of Mission San Francisco Solano Vineyard
Layout of Mission San Francisco Solano Vineyard

Mission Church

The restored church measures 105 feet long and 22 feet wide. The interior is quite authentic looking. It is part of an historic state park and is not a dedicated Catholic Church.  Visit the Sonoma State Historic Park website to learn more about the tours and programs it has to offer.

Mission Bells

A wooden frame outside the mission entrance holds one of the original bells which was cast in 1829.

Mission San Francisco Solano Wooden Bell Rack
Mission San Francisco Solano Wooden Bell Rack

Mission Art and Artifacts

The wing that was the padre's quarters is now a museum. In what was the dining room during the mission era, there is a display of the full set of mission paintings done by Chris Jorgensen painted between 1903-1905.

Mission San Francisco Solano by Chris Jorgensen
Mission San Francisco Solano by Chris Jorgensen

Significant Events

  • General Mariano Vallejo, who became Director of Colonization of the Northern Frontier in 1835, had control of Sonoma until the American takeover. In the Mexican era Sonoma was a major town and military center.
  • The Bear Flag Revolt of June 14, 1846, declaring California a Republic, was staged directly across from the mission.
General Vallejo Reviewing Troops in Sonoma
General Vallejo Reviewing Troops in Sonoma
Town of Sonoma c. 1841
Town of Sonoma c. 1841

Interesting Facts

  • The mission was established by an overly eager padre acting without church approval.
  • San Francisco Solano is the only mission that was established during the Mexican rule of Alta California.
  • General Vallejo "rescued" all the plantings from the mission vineyard after secularization and replanted the vines at his ranch.
  • The names of the Indian neophytes of the Sonoma Mission are displayed on a commemorative wall on the west side of the mission church.
  • San Francisco Solano makes the end of the Mission Trail.
Mission San Francisco Solano Commemorative Wall
Mission San Francisco Solano Commemorative Wall
San Francisco Solano End of Mission Trail Sign
San Francisco Solano End of Mission Trail Sign

Additional Information

  • Weber, F.J. Last of the Missions: A Documentary History of San Francisco Solano.
  • Draper, A.S. (2000). Mission San Francisco Solano.
    (PowerKids Press book, part of their Missions of California Series).
  • Smilie, R.S. (1975). Sonoma Mission, San Francisco Solano de Sonoma: the Founding, Ruin and Restoration of California's 21st Mission.