Mission San Francisco Solano

One of the oldest structures in the area, this state historical landmark showcases 19th-century art.

Founded in 1823, the last California mission, Mission San Francisco Solano, served only 11 years before its secularization. But without it, history would be rewritten to upset many wine loving travelers: Sonoma Valley wine country wouldn't exist; and the town of Sonoma wouldn't exist. Today, the mission is part of the Sonoma State Historic Park in the lovely downtown. It is rather small, but...