Things to do in Healdsburg Besides Wine Tasting

Currently, Healdsburg, Sonoma County may be just about the trendiest wine country town in the nation. It seemed to go from hot, dusty farm town to a wine and food metropolis overnight (okay, maybe in the last 10-15 years). Let's say you've been in town and need a day off from wine tasting (we call it palate fatigue). There are tons of options within Sonoma County, but if you want to stay in town what else can you do?

Healdsburg is a small town with a small downtown so options are a bit limited. The good news is most things are within walking distance.

The plaza

Eat
There are a ton of restaurants in the town; many more than a burg of 10,000 residents has any right to have. They cater mostly to the visitors. There are plenty of "best restaurants in Healdsburg" lists so you first have to narrow it down by what you are looking for. I work in town and often get asked, "Where should we eat?" Well, there are dozens of answers to that question. Insider's tips: Costeaux French Bakery, Big John's Market, Lola's Market.

Shop
There are many small specialty shops (from B Real to Zizi) and art studios downtown. Okay, that's about all there is besides tasting rooms and restaurants.

Events and Entertainment
There are small town events ranging from farmers markets, free concerts on Tuesdays in the plaza during the summer, the Hand Fan Museum, to the Mr. Healdsburg pageant.

Options Other Than Wine
The town has a brewery, a couple distilleries, and there are actually quite a few good spots for cocktails including Barndiva, Duke's, and Spoonbar. Duke's Spirited Cocktails is sooo trendy you can get seasonal farm-to-glass drinks.

Walking it Off
Besides hitting the pavement to check out the town there is the Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve north of the downtown area.

The Plaza
The town square is the center of all activities. When there's not a special event going on you can just hang out here in the shade and relax.