Quicknation    California Sonoma County

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Sonoma County is a county located on California's Pacific coast north of the San Francisco Bay Area. As of 2000 it had a population of 458,614. The county seat is Santa Rosa.

Sonoma County is world-famous as a wine producing region. There are over 200 Sonoma County Wineries producing a wide variety of wines. Sonoma County is also home to 13 approved American Viticultural Areas.

Sonoma County is the home of Sonoma State University and Santa Rosa Junior College.

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Sonoma County was one of the original counties of California, created in 1850 at the time of statehood.

i is a Coast Miwok Indian name translated by some as "Valley of the Moon" and by others as "land or tribe of the Chief Nose."

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,580 km² (1,768 mi²). 4,082 km² (1,576 mi²) of it is land and 498 km² (192 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 10.88% water.

of 2000, there are 458,614 people, 172,403 households, and 112,406 families residing in the county. The population density is 112mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 81.60% White, 1.42% Black or African American, 1.18% Native American, 3.07% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, 8.44% from other races, and 4.09% from two or more races. 17.34% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 172,403 households out of which 31.90% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.30% are married couples living together, 10.40% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.80% are non-families. 25.70% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.00% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.60 and the average family size is 3.12.

In the county the population is spread out with 24.50% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.60% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $53,076, and the median income for a family is $61,921. Males have a median income of $42,035 versus $32,022 for females. The per capita income for the county is $25,724. 8.10% of the population and 4.70% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.40% of those under the age of 18 and 5.70% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Winemaking -- both the growing of the grapes and their vinting -- is an important part of the economic and cultural life of Sonoma County. In 2004, growers harvested 165,783 short tons (150,396 tonnes) of wine grapes worth $310 million. About 80% of non-pasture agricultural land in the county is for growing wine grapes—59,973 acres (242.70 kmsup2) of vineyards, with over 1100 growers. The most common varieties planted are Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir, though the area is also known for its Merlot and Zinfandel.

Sonoma County is home to 191 wineries and 11 distinct (and 2 shared) American Viticultural Areas, including the Sonoma Valley, Russian River Valley, and Dry Creek Valley (the last famed for its production of high-quality Zinfandel).

Sonoma County has served as a location for many major films, including (courtesy of oldmovies.com):

(1982) Shot in Glen Ellen and Jack London's Wolf House, both in Sonoma County (with additional shooting in Marin Co). (1914) While there are one or two shots taken along the Russian River near Monte Rio in Sonoma, it was mostly filmed in Marin, with the background to almost every scene the unmistakable Mount Tamalpais. (1942) Exterior shots of the Village Inn Lodge in Monte Rio on the Russian River, dressed with tons of fake snow, was the "Holiday Inn" lodge setting. (1915) The only one of Anderson's 400 short westerns that has been identified as have been made in Sonoma County. (1988) Locations: Sonoma, Mount Tamalpais (Marin) and other Bay Area sites: Paramount Theatre, Oakland, San Bruno Malt Shop, S.F., and San Rafael. (2001) Shot at the Flamingo Hotel and country roads around Sonoma County. One scene features a Clover milk truck featuring Clo the cow, a local icon.

Sonoma county has a very beautiful coastline, alternating with cliffs and beaches.