Hi Carol Ann. I don't live far from Sonoma and visit often. It's very pretty. The countryside is idyllic, rolling hills and vineyards. I rather think it looks like places I've been through in France. There's a wonderfully rural quality about Sonoma (although the traffic can be awful, particularly on Summer weekends). The town itself is lovely. There's a beautiful square downtown. There are often art fairs and other events there. Loads of graceful Victorians and cute California bungalows. The gardens people are able to grow are superb. Roses go absolutely nuts in this climate. And think of the grape arbor you could have! You could bottle your own and call it Carol Ann's Kickin' Cabaret.

I hope the fork in your road leads you to wonderful things, which ever tine you take.

Steven

I live abit closer to San Francisco, and in a much more urban area. Sonoma is quite lovely, the summers are very nice, the winters are abit too cold for my personal tastes, but coming from Washington state, they will seem warm by comparison, and are still a USDA zone 9. Not a great location for all the subtropicals that do so well closer to salt water, where freezing temps aren't much of an issue. I don't know if you are referring to Sonoma, the town, or Sonoma, the county, as it varies quite abit. One other thing, it is not cheap real estate...

If you mean the city of Sonoma, you have been given good information. Sonoma county has great differences in both soil and climate depending on the distance from the sea and the elevation of the property. I live a half mile from the eastern edge of Sonoma county. Al

I live two valleys in from Sonoma in Vacaville. Depending on your proximity to the Sonoma Valley ("Valley of the Sun") vs the ocean your climate is a little vs a lot colloer, but either way, ideal for a lot of things."Not cheap" is a major understatement. Average homes here are about 330k for 2600 square feet and an eigth acre, and Sonoma is much more desirable.

Here is a link that might be useful: (old) Sonoma data

Nanelle, your $330K home price sounds way low. Maybe Vacaville is a lot cheaper than Sonoma and the Bay area.

For someone from Washington or Oregon, the Spring wildflowers in California will amaze you. Good website: http://www.calphoto.com/wflower.htm. Sonoma is also close to the coast, where you can find Muir Woods, redwood groves, and Point Reyes National Seashore. You will also be a few hours drive from Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks, and seven hours drive from Death Valley, with its amazing wildflowers in late Winter. California is a stunningly beautiful place. Don't go to Muir Woods or Yosemite on Summer weekends; they are packed with visitors.

Winters are 10-15 degrees warmer than in Portland, with some rainy, overcast days. Summers can get quite hot and uncomfortable. The closer you are to the coast, the cooler it will be in the Summer, and the milder it will be in the Winter. A big difference between western WA/OR and Sonoma is that the natural Sonoma landscape gets brown and dry in Summer and Fall. I think of the climate there as a cool desert. Compared to WA/OR, summers are very dry, and you will need to irrigate a lot more.

Gardens to visit: Tilden Regional Parks Botanic Garden, UC Berkeley Botanic Garden, Strybing Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Quarry Hill Botanic Garden.

I lived in San Leandro for 6 years, and enjoyed gardening there. I grew blueberries and black raspberries very successfully, even though they are not supposed to grow there because of their winter chilling requirements. The big negative for me was the snails. They destroyed everything until I decimated the population with massive amounts of bait over a several year period. Daytime summer temperatures in San Leandro are actually lower than in Portland, because it is so close to the Pacific Ocean. The hottest weather seems to happen all through September, which is very strange for someone from Portland.

Thanks for all the input. I'm looking at Sonoma, the town, and the immediate area... but definitely still in the "looking" stages. I'm madly in love with the NW climate and Sonoma/N. CA sounds a lot the same except milder... and I'm madly in love with the Portland area so I don't know that I'm going to leave. But I'm exploring possibilities.

Can I grow clematis there? What about Japanese maples (even one in a pot would be OK)?

Thanks again, everyone.

Carol,

Clematis and Japanese Maple will do fine there in the ground. Depending on local conditions the JM might want some shade in summer. Both will want a cool root-run.

Ryan

I live in the Napa Valley and both valleys have similar climates - Mediterrian - wet winter, dry summers. Houses are much more pricy than Vacaville - closer to $500,000 and up.
If you go to Sonoma stay away from Sonoma Creek where it meets the bay, that floods almost every year. It is a beautiful little town. Novato is very nice too and is even closer to the ocean.

Penny

Sonoma is beautiful. I agree with everything else that has been said, though you really can't UNDERestimate the possible floods every year if you're near the creeks. I'll add some of my own thoughts:
The bay area in general tends to be quite liberal. Sonoma is probably a bit wealthier than many other bay area towns, which may make a difference. The weather is durn near perfect *LOL* It's wine country too. Not cheap. Not at all. Artsy. I could totally live there (if I could afford it...) Berkeley will do just fine for now (forever?)

Amanda 'romando'

Ain't it all about the CHEESE?

-Babka

I live in Santa Rosa, about 15 miles from Sonoma.
This is where Luther Burbank planted his roots and for good reason!
I do beleive the median home price in Sonoma County hit some crazy amount like 600,000 + !!!!!!
There are a bazillion micro climates in this county, but most of it is the Mediteranian type climate.
The county is over-run with vinyards, and sadly, losing some of the older crops such as prunes and apples.
My DH and I luckily bought at the right time and were able to get an acre and 1/4, then build a house.
My children are less fortunate, and are having to go elsewhere to buy a house.
I'm not sure where you're coming from, buit Sonoma and Sonoma CO are VERY expensive!
Good luck!