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 going back generations.
Others arrived decades ago and made Sonoma their home.
Some came more recently to raise their families, begin a new chapter, or find a different pace of life.
Some live here full-time. Others spend only part of the year here.
Many become active in the community through organizations such as Rotary, Sonoma Community Center, Vintage House, Pets Lifeline, La Luz, Sonoma Ecology Center, the Boys & Girls Club, and many others. People also contribute through local businesses, schools, churches, the arts, agriculture, 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 was created to help 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, its changes, and what makes it special.
The Stories
Stories are organized around four parts of the Sonoma Journey:
I Visited Sonoma
Stories about coming to Sonoma and what made the visit memorable.
I Found Sonoma & Stayed
Stories about discovering Sonoma, making it home, and building a life here.
I Helped Build Sonoma
Stories about strengthening the community through work, service, leadership, creativity, or everyday participation.
I Was Born in Sonoma
Stories from people who grew up here, witnessed Sonoma's changes, and often helped shape what came next.
These are not separate kinds of people or fixed levels. They are parts of a journey.
Many people move through several parts over time. Their experiences may be told as a series of connected chapters, allowing readers to follow how their relationship with Sonoma grew and changed.
How Stories Are Created
No writing is required.
The easiest approach is to meet with Don for a short recorded conversation, usually 10 to 15 minutes.
We turn the conversation into a written story in your voice. A conversation may become one story or several connected Journey chapters.
You review the story and can request changes at any time.
You may also record your story independently and submit the audio, or send a written story if you prefer.
A Bilingual Community
Sonoma includes both English- and Spanish-speaking voices.
Stories can 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
👉 On the top line of the page click on Share Your Story to begin.
