‘Gaux-To Healdsburg, Sonoma: Our Guide To This Hidden Gem Town of Sonoma Wine Country
** Featured on Travel & Leisure as one of the 50 Best Places to Travel in 2021!
The Bigger Picture:
Located along the Russian River in the heart of Sonoma, Healdsburg is the perfect place for wine lovers to call home base when visiting northern California. Home to a slew of boutique shops, art galleries, and places to eat, Healdsburg is also the only town in wine country that sits at the center of three different wine regions (Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Alexander Valley), which makes exploring different hidden gem viticultural regions easier than ever. From casual B&Bs to luxury hotels, Healdsburg truly has something to offer every type of traveler—it’s simply a matter of how you prefer to curate your trip!
How to Get There / Get Around:
Arriving to Healdsburg from nearly anywhere in the USA is pretty easy, thanks to its convenient location (just 67 miles north of San Francisco). Simply hop the next flight to SFO, rent your car / book a car service or rideshare app, and you’ll be on your way in no time!
Once there, navigating downtown Healdsburg is very accessible on foot, and biking around the area always promises a pleasant time. However, in terms of getting to wineries, driving is generally a requirement—though as always, when it comes to wine country, we recommend using rideshare apps or pre-booking car services to ensure a safe journey.
Where to Stay:
Madrona – One of the area’s best new hotels boasting a whimsical and imaginative feel – Margaux is a huge fan of this one!
The Montage – Speaks for itself, one of the world’s best resorts in California (side note, this one’s a bit pricey!)
Harmon Guest House – Soulful and sophisticated guest house – watching the sunset from the rooftop is a MUST.
Hotel Healdsburg – Excellent location, plus their happy hour menu is a pro-tip secret and shouldn’t be missed
H2 Hotel – Trendy, eco-friendly hotel – Alyssa stayed here and absolutely loved it, plus the popular Spoonbar is located within
Coffee & Breakfast:
Dry Creek General Store – Handcrafted food and gifts with a great deli counter, established in 1881!
Brunch at Madrona – Estate favorites and well-executed classics served up in a beautiful environment, available from 10:30am to 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays
Costeaux French Bakery – Century-old bakery with incredible pastries, sandwiches, and baked goods
Quail & Condor – Sweets, treats, and breads handmade by husband-and-wife duo, Melissa Yanc and Sean McGaughey
Lunch:
Bravas Bar de Tapas – Known for dishing up excellent small plates and great sangria
Oakville Grocery – A staple! Known for its killer sandwiches
Little Saint – Plant-based food with an excellent new wine bar and on-site lounge
Journeyman Meat Co. – Opposite of Little Saint! Some of the finest artisanal meats and meat products in town; think of it like a high-end salumeria with great wine and dairy products to boot
Dinner:
Matheson Rooftop 106 – Upscale pizza and shared plates with a full downstairs bar and wine wall
SingleThread – 3-Michelin starred restaurant operated by husband (chef) and wife (farmer) duo Kyle and Katina Connaughton; an unforgettable dining experience, but get ready for a lengthy waitlist for reservations
Barndiva – Michelin-starred farm-to-table restaurant with top-tier food
Little Saint + Second Story – Vegan restaurant with a focus on low-alcohol / no-alcohol drinks
Bravas Bar de Tapas – Local favorite Tapas bar (the paella is authentic and delicious!)
Dry Creek Kitchen – Charlie Palmer hotel restaurant known for refined Californian fare
Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar – Airy, lively seafood cafe with a raw bar serving tapas, lobster rolls, and more – a long-standing town staple
Campo Fina – Stylish Italian eatery serving up wood-fired pies and small plates under a covered patio with bocce court
Tasting Rooms / Wineries:
Ernest Vineyards – Family-owned winery focused on site-specific Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the West Sonoma Coast
Leo Steen Winery – Natural wine expert highlighting a number of varieties, including Chenin Blanc, Grenache, Chardonnay, and more (tasting room located in the downtown Healdsburg plaza)
Hirsch – Pioneer of extreme west Sonoma coast vineyards focused on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (tasting room in the downtown Healdsburg plaza)
Arnot-Roberts – Small production, hidden gem winery producing site-driven wines that highlight the nature of the unique terroirs in which the grapes are grown.
Joseph Swan Winery – Family-owned winery highlighting Pinot Noir and old vine Zinfandel located less than 20 minutes from the square
Additional tasting rooms to visit: **Ridge Lytton Springs, Aperture, Siduri, Lioco, Ramey, Jordan Winery, Marine Layer
Aperitifs / Cocktails
Lo & Behold – Craft cocktails perfect for pre or post-dinner drinks
Dukes – Prohibition-inspired bar with top-notch craft cocktails
Spoonbar – Craft cocktails in a lively environment with great outdoor space
The Rooftop at Harmon Guest House – Because ending the night on a rooftop is always a good idea
Matheson Rooftop 106 – See our last point!
Additional Activities
Hike around the great outdoors. Nature lovers, check out the Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve or Getaway Adventures Healdsburg bike and wine tours;Side note – some wineries also have guided hiking tours!
Get creative at a crafting class – Tap into your inner child and let the creative juices flow
Yoga among the vines – Pro tip: Idyllic Bricoleur Vineyards offers Sunday yoga in the vineyards, and Amista Vineyards also hosts one-hour yoga sessions followed by a glass of estate-grown bubbly
Explore pop-up restaurants! In addition to the recommendations above, there always seems to be a handful of interesting pop-ups taking place around town
Shop around local boutiques – Be sure not to miss the amazing range of bookstores found in this quaint town
Peruse the local art galleries – Healdsburg is also infamous for their art scene. Hey, you never know what you may find!
Pay a visit to the Healdsburg Museum & Historical Society – Because learning a bit about where you’re staying is always a good idea
Enjoy a “Sip & Cycle” Adventure – Truly one of the world’s best wine-cycling routes! Get ready to pedal a 30-mile loop that starts and ends in Healdsburg
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