Overview
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.
6 sights · 7 things to do · 11 places to eat · 8 bars & cafés · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Healdsburg
Hand Fan Museum
Small yet captivating, an artistic showcase just across from the Plaza.
Healdsburg Museum
Exhibits, both ongoing and changing, on the history of Healdsburg and Sonoma County.
Raven Performing Arts Theater
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.
Healdsburg Center for the Arts
Run by a non-profit, this location has been holding events and exhibitions since 2002.
Paul Mahder Gallery
By far the largest art gallery in Healdsburg, with works by artists from around the world
Upstairs Art Gallery
A partnership of 16 Sonoma County artists, offering a wide variety of art, jewelry and artisan crafts.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–Nov. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 38°F. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Sonoma)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- STS Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport, Santa Rosa — 8 mi away. Directions
- CCR Buchanan Field, Concord — 62 mi away. Directions
- SMF Sacramento International Airport, Sacramento — 69 mi away (major hub). Directions
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. Take 101 north over the Golden Gate Bridge; there are three different exits into Healdsburg.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Hand Fan Museum, Healdsburg Center for the Arts, Healdsburg Prune Packers baseball
- Lunch Barndiva
- Afternoon The Ranch at Lake Sonoma, Wine Country Walking Tours
- Dinner Bravas Bar de Tapas
- Evening J Vineyards and Winery
Day 2
- Morning Healdsburg Museum, Paul Mahder Gallery
- Lunch Costeaux French Bakery
- Afternoon Bike Healdsburg - a party bike, River's Edge Kayak and Canoe
- Dinner Downtown Bakery
- Evening Amphora Winery
Day 3
- Morning Raven Performing Arts Theater, Upstairs Art Gallery
- Lunch El Sombrero
- Afternoon Healdsburg Golf Course at Tayman Park, Wine Country Bikes
- Dinner Flying Goat Coffee
- Evening Arista Winery
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
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Get in
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. Take 101 north over the Golden Gate Bridge; there are three different exits into Healdsburg.
If you don't want to drive, Sonoma County Transit bus 60 goes to Healdsburg from Santa Rosa.
Some San Francisco companies specialize in wine country limo rides and buses, but you're likely not to have much time to just walk around Healdsburg if you go this way.
If you want to reduce your driving, you can fly to Charles M. Schulz Airport directly from Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Denver, Phoenix, or (seasonably) Minneapolis or Las Vegas, then rent a car at the airport. From the airport, it's about a 20-minute drive to Healdsburg.
Train service to Healdsburg stopped in 1958, but is planned to come back with the extension of SMART from Santa Rosa, Petaluma, and Marin County. The train station's reopening is tentatively planned for 2028.
Get around
If 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. There are also bike and touring companies that offer various ways to visit the wine country, from limo rides to gourmet, speed-racing bike trips.
If you're just visiting the area, you can easily park on or near the Healdsburg Plaza and walk to most places in downtown Healdsburg.
See
In a category between "See" and "Buy" are the numerous art galleries around or within a block of the Healdsburg Plaza:
Do
Eat, drink, look - these are the classic Healdsburg options:
- Wine tasting - Three wine appellations (growing regions) converge in Healdsburg: Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, and the Russian River Valley. The scenery is beautiful and the vibe is laid back. If you know nothing about wine, people will remain friendly and in many cases go out of their way to educate you ... if you want. A fair amount of the wineries in the region are boutiques and produce small quantities of a given vintage; many times you can meet the actual winemaker or the winery owner. More conveniently (and conventionally), there are numerous wine tasting rooms in the center of Healdsburg, clustering around the Healdsburg Plaza.
- Eat gourmet food - As much as Healdsburg is a "wine town", it is just as much a foodie town. Madrona Manor, Zin Restaurant and Wine Bar, and celebrity chef Charlie Palmer's Dry Creek Kitchen are just a few of the top restaurants in town. There is a wonderful farmers' market on Saturday mornings (May through November) and Wednesday afternoons (June through October), as well as some incredible bakeries.
- Stroll along the Healdsburg Plaza. Surrounded by boutique stores, two bookstores, coffee shops, wine tasting venues, and lots of restaurants, the Plaza offers an excellent way to spend an afternoon; nearby streets have more attractions.
There are more active options, of course:
Do River's Edge Kayak and Canoe
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.
Finally, do be respectful of locals. Many if not most residents have been born and raised in the town. Thus, they have seen its transformation in the past few decades from a quiet village to a yuppie destination full of tourists. Do not block the sidewalks, do not double park, do not honk your horn, and please do not jaywalk.
Buy
Most of the unique stores are located on or near the Healdsburg Plaza. You'll find an array of clothing, books, handbags and paperies.
- Gourmet food: There are several fancy food shops on the plaza including Oakville Grocery and the cooperative next door to the Healdsburg Inn.
- Books: There are two independent book stores in Healdsburg, both on the main plaza, Copperfield's (on the south side) and Levin & Co. (on the east side). Levin & Co. has a broad selection of first editions, as well as more recent books, plus an artist's co-op gallery (Upstairs Art Gallery; see above).
Eat
Eat Barndiva
"Modern country cuisine". Michelin-starred (need more be said?)
Eat Bravas Bar de Tapas
"Traditional Spanish and modern tapas-style dining", both indoor and out (the backyard patio is wonderful on cooler summer days); top-rated.
Eat Costeaux French Bakery
Where the locals go for wine country lunches, award winning breads, desserts, pastries and cakes. Family owned and operated for decades.
Eat Downtown Bakery
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.
Eat El Sombrero
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.
Eat Flying Goat Coffee
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.
Eat Guiso Latin Fusion
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.
Eat Noble Folk Ice Cream & Pie Bar
Unusual ice cream flavors, great pie - what's not to like? Not inexpensive, but ice cream toppings are free.
Eat Valette
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.
Eat Willi's Seafood and Raw Bar
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.
Eat Big John's Market
Upscale grocery store with a deli counter. The sandwiches for $10-12 make a good, inexpensive lunch. Vegetarian options.
Drink
There are a couple of watering holes in Healdsburg proper, but the best drinks often come close to where the vines are. Here are just a few of the dozens of excellent wineries in the area.
Drink Amphora Winery
Wine marker Rick Hutchinson.
Drink Arista Winery
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.
Drink Foppiano Vineyards
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.
Drink Landmark Vineyards at Hop Kiln Estate
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.
Drink J Vineyards and Winery
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.
Drink Mill Creek Winery
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.
Drink Roadhouse Winery
Two guys, a pool table, some barrels & a passion for Pinot Noir - at a downtown Healdsburg tasting room.
Sleep
Stay Grape Leaf Inn
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.
Go next
From Healdsburg, you can easily take trips to the ocean, to other river communities like Guerneville, or over to Calistoga or other Napa Valley towns. Just 30-45 minutes in just about any direction takes you to another stunningly beautiful part of Northern California.
Day trips include:
- Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve in Guerneville. This is a great place to hike off the calories from eating and drinking.
- Geyserville, farther north, if you want to take a short country drive.
- Bodega Bay, along the ocean, for beachcombing and checking out seals.
Nearby
Windsor
City / town · 34 listings · 6 mi away
Geyserville
City / town · 4 listings · 7 mi away
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve
Park · 10 mi away
Fulton
City / town · 2 listings · 10 mi away
Forestville
City / town · 10 listings · 10 mi away
Guerneville
City / town · 23 listings · 11 mi away
Monte Rio
City / town · 3 listings · 13 mi away
Santa Rosa
City / town · 48 listings · 15 mi away
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