Sonoma Barracks

Sonoma Barracks is a two-story adobe structure with wide porches that stands prominently on the town's central plaza, forming a distinctive feature of the historic district. The building has been carefully restored to display the typical construction methods and style of Mexican military architecture from the 1800s.

General Vallejo ordered its construction between 1839 and 1841 to house Mexican troops relocated from San Francisco's Presidio to Sonoma. The structure became the setting for the Bear Flag Revolt in 1846, a pivotal moment when California began its shift from Mexican to American authority.

The structure held importance for Sonoma's community as a center of authority and later as a gathering place for various purposes that shaped daily life. Visitors can sense how it connected military governance with the everyday rhythms of an emerging frontier town.

The site is open daily as part of Sonoma State Historic Park, with both self-guided and ranger-led tours available year-round. It sits in the heart of Sonoma's historic district and is easily reached on foot from local shops and restaurants.

After military use ended in 1852, the building served as a winery, law office, and private residence before becoming a museum. These multiple roles reveal how the structure adapted to Sonoma's changing needs as the town grew.