With a prime spot in Sonoma County, Healdsburg maintains its small-town ambience with a quaint central square, independent shops and small restaurants. It’s also in the heart of California Wine Country, known for Zinfandel and Pinot Noir varietals, and offers cycling, farmers’ markets and a famous rose garden.
Things to do in Healdsburg
Perched between the Dry Creek and Anderson Valley, the wineries of Healdsburg include the well-known Francis Ford Coppola Winery. More intimate options include the cave tastings and World War II military-truck vineyard tours at Bella Winery. For wine and food pairings and small-production tastings, spend an evening at the Bubble Room at J Vineyards.
Create your own picnic with food from Dry Creek General Store or Jimtown, a genuine country store selling American antiques, vintage-style toys, home-baked goods and coveted chocolate pudding. Just two blocks from the downtown plaza in Healdsburg, Costeaux French Bakery offers artisan bread and cakes.
At the Saturday morning farmers’ market, families and famous chefs alike fill baskets with cheeses, olive oils, honey, fresh eggs and freshly-caught seafood. Chef Mateo Granados uses local ingredients at Mateo’s Cocina Latina, where you can indulge in a burst of Latin American flavours.
The phrase “stop and smell the roses” is no joke in Healdsburg, as it’s home to the Russian River Rose Company. Join in the rose harvest during spring and summer and learn to make rose water and rose oils. Display gardens feature more than 600 varieties of roses and are connected by a Rose Allee of eight arches.
Getting around Healdsburg
Buses, taxis, bicycles and Segways provide transportation within the city, but private limousines and shuttles are ideal options for wine-tasting tours. You can rent a car at Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport, about a 15-minute drive away.