While many visit Sonoma County to enjoy its bucolic scenery and explore the area’s magnificent wineries, the charming town of Sonoma should not be overlooked when planning your travel itinerary. Sonoma Plaza, the old town square, is the epicenter of activity in this laid-back hamlet.

City Hall, an attractive stone structure in a park-like setting, is the focal point of the plaza—it was built in the early 20th century with four identical sides to equally face all merchants in the square. And, as I discovered, the plaza is still surrounded by an intriguing variety of retailers.
Boutiques, eateries, wine shops and gourmet food emporiums entertain folks out for a bout of shopping or a bite to eat. History buffs will be eager to know that several buildings constituting Sonoma State Historic Park are scattered throughout the area, all within walking distance. The mid-1800s Toscano Hotel and the adobe barracks—with artifacts like guns, cannons and saddles—are actually on the plaza, and can be viewed by guided tour.

On a recent trip, I headed to the Tuesday evening farmer’s market, which starts at 5:30 p.m. and ends at sundown. The market, concentrated around and behind City Hall, features live music, food booths, crafts, fresh produce and yummy treats (try the piping hot donuts fried in soy oil for a “healthy” twist).

Afterward, I walked over to Cafe La Haye, adjacent to the plaza at 140 E. Napa St.  The small, two-level restaurant operates in a simplistic, contemporary setting and is known for featuring Sonoma products. I thoroughly enjoyed the pesto risotto with chicken, while my dining companion savored the rigatoni with shrimp, goat cheese, portobello mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes and red pepper. Dessert was a mouthwatering butterscotch pudding with chocolate sauce and whipped cream.

Since the plaza has a variety of dining options, I returned another evening to experience LaSalette, tucked in an alley off the square at 452 First St. E. Revered for its Portuguese fare and expansive tapas selection, the restaurant features outdoor patio seating (with heat lamps for chilly evenings), as well as a cozy indoor dining area with wooden accents and a rustic bar.

The heirloom tomato salad was (almost) too pretty to eat, followed up by an artfully-presented dish of fettuccine with scallops. My partner dug into the hearty Fisherman’s Stew, a menagerie of shrimp, sea bass, mussels, pork sausage, lobster sauce, clams and potatoes.

Afterward, we took in a flick at the Sebastiani Theatre, a 1933 movie house, also a venue for art and foreign films, live music and performing arts.

Another Sonoma highlight that should be on your radar when traveling the area is the quaint little town of Glen Ellen, about 15 minutes north of Sonoma. The town was the stomping ground of author Jack London, probably best known for his novel The Call of the Wild. Indeed, you’ll find many points of interest named for the writer, including Jack London State Historic Park and Jack London Village, a complex of shops and restaurants home to a historic grist mill and water wheel.

While exploring the village, I dined at Olive and Vine, a newcomer on the culinary scene with an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere. The restaurant had a very organic feel, with an open kitchen and a handsome wine bar. A welcoming staff complemented the tasty preparations, which managed to be both sophisticated and down-home delicious at the same time.

I started with a salad of baby lettuces with peaches, almonds and blue cheese, topped with a refreshing vinaigrette, then moved on to Mary’s organic Meyer lemon and sage roasted chicken with farro risotto and grilled spring asparagus. Dessert was a melt-in-your-mouth chocolate ganache cake topped off with fresh whipped cream.

If you are planning an excursion to Wine Country, be sure not to overlook Sonoma County’s small town charms while journeying throughout the countryside and touring vineyards. In addition to being able to experience local culture and purchase unique gifts—think local olive oils, wines and all manner of wine-related paraphernalia—it’s nice to be able to indulge in culinary offerings that can hold their own against those served in big-city establishments.