Just north of the City of Sonoma, The Springs is one of Sonoma Valley's most distinctive areas, shaped by residential neighborhoods, local businesses, community landmarks and a history tied to the natural hot springs that gave the area its name.
For anyone exploring Sonoma real estate, The Springs offers a useful look at how much the setting, housing and local character can change across just a few miles.
Getting to Know The Springs
The Springs generally refers to the unincorporated communities of Boyes Hot Springs, Fetters Hot Springs and Agua Caliente, centered along the Highway 12 corridor north of the City of Sonoma.
Many homes in the area use a Sonoma mailing address. The Springs itself sits outside Sonoma city limits, under Sonoma County jurisdiction.
That distinction can matter for zoning, permitting and other property-specific details, and is worth understanding early when comparing homes in different parts of Sonoma Valley.
A History Rooted in the Hot Springs
The area's name is quite literal.
Natural geothermal springs helped attract visitors to this part of Sonoma Valley beginning in the late 19th century. Pools, bathhouses and resorts developed around the mineral waters, helping shape the early communities that became known as Boyes Hot Springs, Fetters Hot Springs and Agua Caliente.
That resort history remains part of the area's identity today.
The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn in Boyes Hot Springs still uses naturally heated mineral water associated with the area's underground springs.
The Homes and Character of The Springs
One of the most noticeable things about The Springs is its variety.
Residential streets extend away from Highway 12, with homes that differ in age, architectural style, lot size and setting. Buyers may encounter older cottages, remodeled properties, compact residential lots and homes with more outdoor space depending on the location.
That variety is part of what makes The Springs real estate difficult to define with a single description.
Highway 12 serves as the central spine of the area, connecting residential neighborhoods with restaurants, shops, services and community destinations while continuing north through Sonoma Valley toward Glen Ellen and Kenwood.
Parks and Community Spaces
The Springs also has access to several public recreation areas.
Maxwell Farms Regional Park, near the southern end of the area, includes trails, picnic areas, athletic fields and natural areas near Sonoma Creek.
Farther north, Larson Park serves the Fetters Hot Springs area and includes recreational facilities along with access to the Central Sonoma Valley Trail.
These public spaces add to the area's mix of residential streets, local businesses and community amenities.
The Springs Within Sonoma Valley
The Springs is one part of a much larger Sonoma Valley landscape.
Within a relatively short distance, buyers can move between the neighborhoods surrounding Sonoma Plaza, The Springs, Glen Ellen, Kenwood and more rural parts of the valley, each with its own geography, housing characteristics and history.
For someone researching living in Sonoma Valley, knowing those distinctions makes it easier to compare homes and to read what a listing really means when it says "Sonoma."
Exploring Sonoma Valley Real Estate
History, jurisdiction, property characteristics and setting all shape how one home compares with another across the valley.
Our Sonoma real estate agents bring years of experience and deep local ties to the community. Whether you're exploring The Springs, comparing different parts of the valley or simply curious about a Sonoma Valley home, a local Sonoma realtor can help you better understand the details behind each property.
This post was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence and reviewed by the marketing team at Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley.
