Living a Cultural Center Lifestyle in Sonoma, California

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Where to Retire in Sonoma and Home Prices

There are active adult communities in Sonoma and the Napa Valley (see our California Active Community Directory). The median price of a home in Sonoma was $1,030,452 in mid-2022, according to Zillow.

What Is Special about Sonoma

Sonoma has a college and one of the most elaborate performing arts centers in the U.S., let alone in a town of 10,000 people. Its location here in the heart of wine country with all the good restaurants, food, and beautiful scenery makes Sonoma special indeed. Sonoma University is also a big plus.  These are not in the town of Sonoma but in Cotati and Rohnert Park. The county of Sonoma is very large and many authors confuse the county and the city.

What Is Not Special about Sonoma

Real estate is expensive and so is living in such a nice part of California.

Climate and Physical Environment

Sonoma is northeast of San Francisco in northern California between Napa and Santa Rosa. The average January temp is in the high 40s and the average July temperature about 70.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

Restaurants in Sonoma and this region are top notch. The new $145 million dollar Donald and Maureen Green Music Center at Sonoma State University contains the fabulous Weill recital hall, rehearsal rooms, and studios – is dominated by the 1,400 seat Weill Concert Hall. The complex is now also the home of the nearby Santa Rosa Symphony Orchestra, and the San Francisco Symphony has a full playing schedule here as well.

Crime

The crime rate is about 2/3 the national average.

Medical Facilities

Sonoma Valley Hospital serves the city.

Transportation

Sonoma Valley Airport; Amtrak is 10 miles away in Napa.

Valuable Links

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