Sonoma Stories is a simple idea:
Sonoma is a small town made up of many personal journeys.
Some people were born here and have family roots reaching back generations. Others arrived decades ago and made Sonoma their home. Some came more recently to raise a family, begin a new chapter, or find a different pace of life.
Some live here year-round. Others spend only part of the year here.
Many become involved in the community through organizations such as Rotary, Sonoma Community Center, Vintage House, Pets Lifeline, La Luz, Sonoma Ecology Center, and the Boys & Girls Club. Others contribute through local businesses, schools, churches, agriculture, the arts, civic leadership, and everyday acts of service.
Yet most of us know only a small part of the larger story.
Why Sonoma Stories?
Sonoma Stories helps people understand one another through personal stories.
* Not history books.
* Not newspaper articles.
Just people sharing how they experienced Sonoma—one story and one journey at a time.
Together, these stories create a richer picture of our community: its people, its history, how it has changed, and what makes it special.
The Stories
Stories are organized around three parts of the writer’s Sonoma Journey:
I Visited Sonoma or I was Born in Sonoma
Every Sonoma journey begins in one of two ways.
Some stories describe a first visit: what brought the person here, what they experienced, and what made Sonoma memorable.
Others begin with being born in Sonoma: growing up here, attending school, and developing early connections to the community.
I Chose to Stay
These stories explore the decision to make Sonoma home—whether after a memorable visit, after returning several times, or after growing up here and finishing school.
Then they explore the experiences people have living in Sonoma.
I Got Involved in the Community
These stories describe the many ways people contribute to Sonoma through work, service, leadership, creativity, and everyday participation.
These chapters are not fixed levels or separate kinds of people. They are parts of a journey.
A person’s experiences may be shared as a series of connected stories, allowing readers to follow how that individual’s relationship with Sonoma grew and changed over time. Some journeys include all three chapters; others may include only one or two so far.
How Stories Are Created
No writing is required.
The easiest way to participate is to meet with Don for a short recorded conversation, usually lasting 10 to 15 minutes. We turn that conversation into one or more written stories that preserve your voice and connect the chapters of your journey.
You can review your stories after they appear on the website and request changes at any time.
If you prefer, you may record your story independently and submit the audio—or send us a story you have written yourself.
A Bilingual Community
Sonoma includes both English- and Spanish-speaking voices.
Stories may be recorded in either language, and every story can be read in either language.
Our goal is to help the community better understand itself across generations, backgrounds, experiences, and cultures.
Get Started
👉 Click Share Your Story to begin sharing your Sonoma journey.
