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Town in Sonoma County, California, US
Photo: Sarah Stierch, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Healdsburg is a city of 12,000 people (2019) in Sonoma County in the Bay Area of California. It's lovely, quaint town that used to be an agricultural outpost. The three main areas of interest are the town plaza, around which you'll find boutiques, restaurants, and lodging; the Russian River; and the wineries along Westside Road and Dry Creek Road. The Healdsburg/Alexander Valley area is famous for its Zins, though you can't go wrong with goodies like sparkling wine from J Winery, Pinot Noir from Porter Creek, and the famous Petite Sirah at Foppiano's.
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Small yet captivating, an artistic showcase just across from the Plaza.
Exhibits, both ongoing and changing, on the history of Healdsburg and Sonoma County.
There's nothing like summer baseball! Team members are from colleges across California and the U.S. Many past team members have made it to professional baseball.
The Raven Players, the resident theater company in Healdsburg, presents both family-friend fare and challenging stage plays. The theater also hosts occasional concerts and a short film festival.
Run by a non-profit, this location has been holding events and exhibitions since 2002.
By far the largest art gallery in Healdsburg, with works by artists from around the world
A partnership of 16 Sonoma County artists, offering a wide variety of art, jewelry and artisan crafts.
The party bike seats up to 13 passengers at a time, and just about everyone must pedal in order to move it. As of August 2019, four tours are offered: morning exercise; history and architecture; beer/bar crawls; and wine & nibbles
A short distance east of downtown is a hilly, 9-hole golf course with a covered driving range. While using an electric cart isn't mandatory, it's highly recommended.
Horse riding options - a number of tours.
The Russian River has a few very small twists and turns, but otherwise a half-day canoe ride is a pleasant chance to check out the wine country from a different angle. Canoe-goers may need to get out and push (due to shallow water), so water-friendly shoes (for the rocky river bottom) are a good idea. it is best to go during the summertime when the city of healdsburg constructs an annual reacreation dam. There are banks at which to stop and enjoy a picnic and sun as well, so a swimsuit, a snack and some sunscreen may enhance one's trip.
Take a casual ride to in the Dry Creek or Russian River Valleys or challenge yourself with an epic adventure in the surrounding hills. Tours run about six hours.
Fine wine and foodie walking tours - select from one of three tours (two, three, or four hours)
"Modern country cuisine". Michelin-starred (need more be said?)
"Traditional Spanish and modern tapas-style dining", both indoor and out (the backyard patio is wonderful on cooler summer days); top-rated.
Where the locals go for wine country lunches, award winning breads, desserts, pastries and cakes. Family owned and operated for decades.
Only accepts cash and check only, no credit or debit cards. Good place to stop by in the morning to get something for breakfast and a cup of coffee. Cafe menu/brunch is served Friday through Monday (over the weekend) from 8AM til 2PM.
Slightly off-the-plaza but one of the best taquerias in northern California. Pray that the Taqueria survives the onslaught of money from the Bay Area, because you won't want to miss their huge burritos, amazing carnitas tacos and soccer games on the TV 24/7.
Where the locals go for coffee, chai, pastries and, of course, gossip. Packed on Saturday and Sunday mornings, but the coffee and atmosphere are worth the wait.
This is one of those restaurants that you're reluctant to mention to friends, because you'd rather keep it a secret. It's only open for dinner, and it's the smallest dine-in restaurant in Healdsburg, possibly in all of Sonoma County. Its mix of Caribbean and Salvadorian cuisines provides lots of flavor. Not to be missed: their version of (small pieces of) corn on the cob.
Unusual ice cream flavors, great pie - what's not to like? Not inexpensive, but ice cream toppings are free.
An example of higher-end Wine Country dining, Valette hits all the right notes: local products, creative dishes, excellent service, a great wine list, a friendly atmosphere. Try the "Trust Us" five-course meal if you're interested in trying a variety of dishes.
Hip without being over the top, and the variety of the menu is great; plenty of small items to taste. The restaurant is often bustling, but you can still enjoy a conversation.
Upscale grocery store with a deli counter. The sandwiches for $10-12 make a good, inexpensive lunch. Vegetarian options.
Wine marker Rick Hutchinson.
Arista Winery was founded by the McWilliams family in 2002 with a mission to create the most elegant expression of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. In addition to the wines, they offer a breathtaking setting of Japanese water gardens, mountain and vineyard vistas, combined with an inviting tasting room.
One of the oldest wineries in the area, Foppiano is famous for its Petit Sirah. You can see the ribbons and awards throughout the slightly older tasting room. If you're friendly and unpretentious, you may even get a pour or two of the reserve bottles.
Hop Kiln just celebrated its 100-year anniversary, and a trip to this winery shows you why it's still in business despite the glut of California wines on the market. Set on stunning, and organic, grounds, Hop Kiln has excellent Zins, yummy "Big Reds" and a lovely pond perfect for a picnic. Great stop for those tasting on velo.
J features wine/food pairings (for a fee) that illustrate the strengths of the wines and the power of thoughtful food/wine matches. Wine club members and staff are useful resources for other spots to visit nearby. The tasting room art is also worth the stop -- it's a metaphor (just ask) that stands on its own as striking.
The Mill Creek tasting room is modeled after an old water wheel lumber mill similar to those found in the area during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Wine tasting of mostly estate wines is available every day of the week.
Two guys, a pool table, some barrels & a passion for Pinot Noir - at a downtown Healdsburg tasting room.
A $4-million renovation completed in late 2019 has expanded and improved this hotel, previously of fairly poor quality with old, dated rooms.
Another owner-operated inn just off the Healdsburg Plaza, the Camellia Inn offers beautiful grounds, a small pool and a very cozy living room. Beds are extremely comfortable, and the rooms are quite quiet.
An absolutely charming B&B in an early 1900s Queen Anne, all elegance with very little unnecessary frou-frou. The best part about the inn, other than the easy walk to the Plaza, is the speakeasy hidden behind one of the inn's bookcases. Evening tastings in the speakeasy include some of the owners' favorite vintages. The inn is often booked solid in the summer.
A Residence Inn by Marriott, opened in late 2018
Inn and resort with 12 rooms and suites and a private cottage.
Glampground that opened in the summer of 2020, with the Russian River just steps from its 30 safari-style canvas tents.
The best way to get to Healdsburg is to drive. Located about one hour and 15 minutes north of San Francisco, it's an easy get-away into the wine country.
Read in the guideIf you're into wine tasting, you can drive or bike to various wineries, most of which are located on either Dry Creek Road or Westside Road.
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