Sonoma County Towns

Sonoma County is made up of a number of separate towns and cities, each with it's own unique and distinctive character. There are also many vineyards, ranches and country properties surrounding these communities. One of the beauties of living here is that you can live in the country but be only minutes from in-town conveniences.

Each community has a variety of housing available. Some communities tend to be more or less expensive to live in, but overall we have a broad range of home prices. Below you will find information about a number of our towns.

Cloverdale
population 6831
Founded by James Abram Keiser in 1859, who purchased the land for $6000, Cloverdale lies among rolling hills, open fields and vineyards. Located at the northern end of Sonoma County in the Alexander Valley, it is surrounded by a large wine-growing region. This once old-fashioned town now has a new attitude as the fastest growing city in Sonoma County. Recreational activities are plentiful especially with 70 acre Cloverdale River Park now open for guests. This regional park is a city highlight offering a full mile of river frontage. Cloverdale's's proximity to the Russian River and Lake Sonoma add to its great country lifestyle.

Cotati
population 6471
Named in honor of the local Miwok tribe's Chief Kotate, Cotati was a part of Mariano Vallejo's original land grant. it is comprised of only two square miles and has a community that cherishes its small town quality of life and takes pride in its legends and history. Located south or Rohnert Park and just off of Highway 101, this is an older rustic style of town with several historical attractions, including the downtown plaza, designated a California Historical Landmark and one of only two hexagonal city designs in the U.S. La Plaza Park in downtown Cotati is a focal point for festivals, civic events and leisure activities. The annual Jazz Festival in the spring and the accordion Festival in August help to make Cotati a musician's gathering place. Regular live music events attract those from other towns including students from nearby Sonoma State University.

Geyserville
population approximately 1,000
The historic town of Geyserville is located just six miles north of Healdsburg, nestled among wineries and vineyards in the heart of Sonoma County Wine Country. This small town is comprised mostly of farmers and grape growers but also boasts a variety of services including an automobile dealership and repair shop, historic general store, deli, several restaurants, bed and breakfast and wine tasting rooms. Lake Sonoma is also close by for hiking, biking and boating year round. Tourists from all over the world visit this area and its world famous wineries.

Healdsburg
population 10,772
Originally founded as a trading post on the Russian River by Harmon Heald in the 1840s, Healdsburg was incorporated as a city in 1867. Those who live there cherish the early California small town charm reflected in the quiet neighborhoods, agricultural influences and traditional Spanish style plaza. Culture and beauty grace downtown with remarkable storefronts, cafes and restaurants. In recent years the town's charm and proximity to Dry Creek Valley and the Alexander Valley have made it a top Wine Country destination, luring tourists and boosting the local economy. It is also the economic heart of northern Sonoma County. There is a diverse and dynamic business sector, a talented work force and a well educated, culturally active population.

Petaluma
population 54,548
Petaluma is a charming town and most distinctively known for its historically preserved downtown which boasts a beautiful showcase of Victorian homes and commercial iron-front buildings. Petaluma is located in the hills of southern Sonoma County and follows along the Petaluma River which winds its way 14 miles north from the San Pablo Bay.This small hilly town between the Wine Country and the Sonoma coastline has been chosen many times by filmmakers for its "Anytown USA" appeal. One of California's largest cities in the 1860s, Petaluma became known as the "World's Egg Basket" in the early 1900s and in keeping with tradition it continues to thrive economically and progress as a community. The telecommunications industry and the long established agricultural industry remain vital to Petaluma's economy.

Rohnert Park
population 42,236
Rich in history and once home to the Miwok Indians, Waldo Emerson Rohnert purchased the ranch now known as Rohnert Park in 1929. The ranch was soon transformed into a very large experimental seed farm, second only to Luther Burbank's famous gardens.
Thoughtfully designed for families, Rohnert Park is one of the first planned communities in the United States. Each neighborhood is designed around a park and elementary school with bikeways and walkways connecting its tree-lined streets and attractive neighborhoods. The third largest city in the county, it is located in the southern central plain and surrounded by farms and grazing land.

Santa Rosa
population 155,000
The beautiful legend of Father Juan Amorosa baptizing a young native american woman in a stream the day of the Feast of Santa Rosa de Lima gave not only the young girl but the stream and the entire valley the name of Santa Rosa. This city is rich in American Indian and Spanish history and today the City of Santa Rosa is the largest city in Sonoma County. It is also the county seat and home to s vibrant business and commercial sector. Luther Burbank, the famous horticulturalist, made his home here for more than 50 years and his beautiful 1.6 acre memorial home and garden in the downtown area is still open to the public. Santa Rosa's other famous citizen is Charles Schultz who made his home here until his recent death. The Snoopy Ice Arena and Peanuts Museum are popular tourist attractions. Santa Rosa Junior College is one of the nation's finest junior colleges and the city sports its own symphony.

Sonoma
population 9128
The City of Sonoma is known for its downtown plaza, historic buildings, slow pace, fine wines and good living. Sonoma figured prominently in early California history, as its Mission San Francisco Solano was the last and northern most of the California missions. In 1946, the plaza was the site of the Bear Flag Rebellion and the declaration of California's independence from Mexico. For generations Sonoma and the surrounding valley have attracted talented and creative people from surprisingly diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.Just north of Sonoma are the unincorporated communities of El Verano, Fetters, Boyes Hot Springs, Agua Caliente, Kenwood and Glen Ellen which were initially developed as hot springs resorts in the early 1900s.

Windsor
population 22,774
Oak-covered hills and valleys, fields of vineyards, soaring hot-air balloons and distant plumes of the geysers welcome visitors, residents and businesses to Windsor's countrified lifestyle. In 1855, Windsor emerged as an agricultural town with the rolling hills and plains reminding a settler, Hiram Lewis of the English countryside surrounding Windsor castle, hence the name. In 1992,Windsor became Sonoma County's newest incorporated city and now it is the forth largest city in Sonoma County. Many residents work within the town limits or commute a short distance to work in Santa Rosa or nearby towns. Windsor proudly preserves its historic heritage but the small town feel is equally enhanced by youth, senior and community centers and convenient health care centers and schools. Windsor is very proud of its low crime rate.

West Sonoma County
population 60,000+
The Western part of Sonoma county has a very rich history and is the economic, intellectual, artistic and social hub of the Wine Country. It is a wondorously diverse geographic expanse and includes the city of Sebastopol, the Russian River Valley and the Sonoma Coast. Sebastopol was named for the crimean seaport of Sevastopol in Russia in the 1850s. In the late 1800s the Gravenstein apple was introduced and the industry became foremost in the area. Today, in addition to apples, vineyards, nurseries, Christmas trees, pumpkins and organic specialty crops dot the landscape throughout West County.Sebastopol is proud to be the wine country's farm-fresh and family friendly community. To the north, off Gravenstein Highway lies Graton, newly renovated and an appealing tourist destination. Occidental lies to the west and was established by settlers coming to log the giant redwoods. Gureneville, once a lumber town, then a vacation destination for summer tourists, is now an active community all year round. Beach front homes and resorts overlook the Russian River with its swimming, fishing, camping and canoeing. The Sonoma Coast has the quaint towns of Bodega Bay and Jenner where whale watching and surfing are only two of the many coastal activities available.