Healdsburg, Sonoma County, California

Why should you come to Healdsburg and what fun can be had in town? Well, if you like to eat, drink, and shop there is plenty to do in Healdsburg with most of it within walking distance.

The town has gotten numerous glowing reviews from travel and wine writers over the past few years. Here's the latest from Vogue.

Downtown plaza

The town

A small town of about 10,000 people where the downtown area (about three blocks long and two blocks wide) is geared to tourists. There's a one block square plaza sitting in the middle. The convenience of having so much within walking distance makes the town attractive to many.

Healdsburg sits at the confluence of three major grape-growing areas in Sonoma County: Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley.

The town has about two dozen tasting rooms and twice that many restaurants. Most wine tasting is down in retail storefronts, not at actual wineries where the product is made. Food runs anywhere from taquerias to the highly-rated, and highly-priced, Single Thread Farm. Most are family-run, many are quite small, some have outdoor seating.

Healdsburg Avenue

Wine tasting

Bubbles: Breathless, J (a five minute drive)
White wines: Sanglier, Stephen & Walker
Pinot Noir: Banshee, Cartograph, Davis, Holdridge, Roadhouse, Siduri
Cabernet and blends: Thumbprint, Williamson
Zinfandel: Pezzi King, Seghesio (half-mile from downtown), Rockpile, Selby
Inexpensive: Toad Hollow
Multiple wineries in one spot: Cellars of Sonoma, Flight Deck
Something different: Portalupi

There are many more tasting rooms within the city limits, but this is just 20 of them to get you started. Happy tasting!

One of many outdoor dining opportunities

Eating

Some of the more popular restaurants with visitors are:
Barndiva, Brava, Campo Fina, Chalk Board, Dry Creek Kitchen, KinSmoke, Mateo's, Shed, Valette, and Willi's Seafood.

Others:
If you want a burger and a beer: Healdsburg Bar & Grill or Bear Republic
Sausage and a beer (their smash burger is good, too): Wurst Restaurant
Taqueria: Agave or El Farolito (and there are many others)
Latin: Guiso, Mateo
Louisiana cookin': Parish Cafe (breakfast & lunch only)
Cocktails: Barndiva, Duke's, Spoonbar
Brewery: Bear Republic
Coffee: Flying Goat
Bread: Costeaux
Dessert: Moustache, Noble Folk

Shopping

Stores to browse are everywhere are range from antiques to kitchen items to grocery items to art studios. Be sure to browse Shed and Oakville Grocery.

Getting out of town

As was said earlier Healdsburg sits at the intersection of three main wine appellations. Several wineries and vineyards are within a five minute drive and dozens are within reach of an afternoon outing. Bicycle rentals in town are also a popular way to explore the nearby vineyards.

Disclaimer: I work at one of the above establishments