Healdsburg is a charming city located right in the center of the action in Sonoma County, and while visitor often discover it as part of a larger wine-tasting trip to the Sonoma Valley, it’s a destination all on its own, where you can easily spend a long weekend.
Healdsburg is the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine and a view at nearby wineries, eat at amazing restaurants, and enjoying the beautiful countryside.
Whether you spend your time in town or venture to the surrounding countryside, there are endless possibilities for wineries to visit and dozens of Healdsburg wineries and restaurants to enjoy. It easy to get around, with an abundance of possibilities within walking distance of each other, and the town itself is a great example of small town America.
» Also see our guides on Napa Valley wine tasting, Paso Robles Wine Tasting, or Santa Barbara Wine Tasting.
What to Do in Healdsburg
There are many activities to do in Healdsburg and the surrounding area. We like to mix and match, for a fun-filled weekend.
- Wine tasting tour
- Wine Tasting and Food Pairing Guided Walking Tour
- Horseback riding tour
- Kayaking tour on the Russian River
- Bike and wine tasting tour
How to Get to Healdsburg
Healdsburg is located about 1 hour 15 minute drive from San Francisco. It’s a quick jaunt up Highway 101, which is also a very pretty drive, and can be done as part of a larger California road trip, if you’re so inclined.
The closest airport to Healdsburg is Santa Rosa airport, which is served by Alaska Airlines, United, American, and Sun Country.
Flights into the Bay Area airports can be a bit cheaper, and are the way to go for anyone coming from an International destination, but then you have the drive to tack on.
Once you’ve landed at Santa Rosa airport, it’s a short 15-minute drive to downtown Healdsburg. This is my preferred option for ease and convenience. You can rent a car at the Santa Rose airport to get around.
Where to Stay in Healdsburg
There are a lot of great places to stay in Healdsburg. Check out the many Healdsburg hotel deals on Booking.com to find accommodations that suit you.
If you want to stay in complete luxury, you have a choice of Hotel Healdsburg right in the heart of the city (location, location, location), the Calderwood Inn, featuring an evening wine tasting hour on the terrace each evening and just a 10-minute walk from Healdsburg Plaza, or the Hotel Les Mars, a romantic French inspired hotel.
For a more budget-conscious stay, we like H2 Hotel and Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza.
Healdsburg Wineries You Must Try
No matter where you stay in Healdsburg city center, you can easily walk to a number of wine tasting rooms, which makes wine tasting very convenient because you don’t have to worry about a designated driver. You can just enjoy yourself, relax, and experience the wine.
Healdsburg Plaza Wineries
- Williamson Wine Tasting Room
- Siduri Wine Louge
- Murphy-Goode Winery Tasting Room
- Toad Hollow Vineyards
- Hawley Winery
- Selby Winery
- Valdez Family Winery
- Rockpile Vineyard
Surrounding Wineries
- Geyser Peak Winery
- Blanchard Family Wines
- Breathless Sparkling Wines
- Sapphire Hill Winery
- Longboard Vineyards
- Pezzi King
- Davis Family Vineyards
Our Favorites
Thumbprint Cellars
The tasting room for Thumbprint Cellars is artsy and fun, but also warm and inviting. The “tasting lounge”, as they call it, doubles as an art gallery featuring works by local artists. Thumbprint also offers cheese and charcuterie plates to go along with the wines.
Location: 102 Matheson St
Hours: Daily 11:00am – 6:00 pm
Stonestreet Winery
If you’re a fan of Chardonnay, you have to stop by Stonestreet Estate Vineyards & Winery for a tasting. They have some of the best Chardonnay I’ve ever drank, and plenty of it. Aged in French oak barrels, Stonestreet doesn’t shy away from the oaky, buttery Chardonnay that California is known for. The addition of partial wild yeast and full malolactic fermentation give the wine a complexity and full body that I love in a Chardonnay.
Location: 7111 Highway 128
Hours: Daily by reservation 10:30am – 3:00pm
Stephen & Walker Winery
A small, artisanal family owned winery, Stephen & Walker has a classy wine bar located right downtown. The friendly service along with the award winning wines makes Stephen & Walker one of our favorite wineries in Healdsburg. If you’re a red wine fan, you have to stop in for a taste of their cult wines – the Zinfandel and the Cabernet Sauvignon are outstanding. And they have a port too.
Location: 243 Healdsburg Avenue
Hours: Daily from 11AM to 7PM
Seghesio Family Vineyards
Located just a few blocks from the downtown area is the Seghesio Family Vineyards. This is one of the oldest wineries in the area, started in 1895. They specialize in Zinfandel and Italian varietals. It’s a must-visit when in Healdsburg, for the wine and also for the wonderful space and activities. It’s a beautiful large winery with lots of outdoor tables.
Location: 700 Grove St
Hours: By appointment daily
Where to Eat in Healdsburg
If you love food, you’re going to absolutely love Healdsburg. Some of the best restaurants in Sonoma County are located downtown and there are plenty of great experiences to be found for hungry wine tasters.
- Campo Fino for Italian
- El Farolito for Mexican
- KINSmoke for BBQ
- Barndiva for American
Oakville Grocery
My favorite place to pick up lunch is the Oakville Grocery. Located right in the town square, the grocery has an incredible selection of handmade sandwiches, salads and picnic fixings. They have a wide array of local artisan products to help you put together a truly gourmet lunch. I’ve never had a sandwich from Oakville that I didn’t love. They have breakfast sandwiches too, if you’re looking for some quick brunch. Eat it there or take away.
Location: 124 W. Matheson St
Healdsburg Bar & Grill
Another popular spot in town for a quick lunch is Healdsburg Bar & Grill. Sometimes, during busy season, you need to put your name on the list, but don’t fret, there are tasting rooms nearby that you can enjoy while you’re waiting.
The food is casual and good. And they have a nice outdoor patio that is perfect for enjoying the beautiful weather, during the more seasonable months. The best part is that you don’t have to drive anywhere to get there. It’s right in the heart of downtown.
Location: 245 Healdsburg Ave
Bravas
We’ve eaten Spanish tapas in Spain, so we know good tapas when we see them. Bravas does an outstanding job of serving up incredibly authentic tapas. The restaurant is in a cute little house a street over from the main street in Healdsburg, with a dark and romantic vibe inside and a beautiful outdoor seating in the back.
We ordered about 10 dishes and loved every morsel that was put before us. The patatas bravas were crispy. The pulpo was tender and dressed perfectly in olive oil and paprika, just the way I love it. There’s nothing more to say. Bravas is a fantastic restaurant.
Location: 420 Center Street
CONCLUSION
Now that you know where to eat and drink in Healdsburg, California, it’s time to book that trip to Sonoma you’ve been wanting to take. You are going to love the Healdsburg wineries!
Have you already been to Healdsburg? Tell us where your favorite places are to eat and drink when you’re there.
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Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited 70+ countries.
Thanks for sharing about Healdsburg. It looks like a cute town with plenty of options for delicious food and wine. We loved our time in Napa. Next time, we’ll have to make it to Healdsburg!
I haven’y had chance to Travel to USA, but when I go there, California is on my list
This is a great are to sample some wines! I have long thought of doing a cycling tour, stopping off at wineries along the way for tasting!
Cycling to wineries is very popular in Healdsburg. There’s a lot of countryside surrounding it, so it’s a perfect place to do it.
A wine weekend seems like an awfully good idea!
Thanks so much for sharing this! I’ve been meaning to get out to California for some wine tasting. I’ve still never made it out of LA.
I think the Sonoma valley is a perfect weekend trip from LA. It’s so refreshing up there – cleaner air, less traffic, relaxing environment. You should definitely try it sometime!
I love wine tasting!! Did it before in Napa and had so much fun. Thanks for the list of places to try.
I have never heard of this town but cali seems to have so much diversity to offer. I love Spanish food, so I think that Tapas would be the one!!
Amazing recommendations and it seemed like you had a lot of fun! #happybelly
I’m from Spain and I would definitely check this out once I’m in the area. Thanks for this. Looks nice. 🙂
I have heard a lot about California wines, need to try them once!
Oh yes, if you haven’t ever tried a California wine, you should! A zinfandel from Sonoma or a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa.
You should check out Chalkboard next time you’re in town. They do some interesting dishes.
Thanks Seth! We absolutely will.
Valletta is the hottest restaurant in Sonoma or Napa.
Valletta is the hottest restaurant in Sonoma or Napa.