With its elegance and charm, Healdsburg is among the most reputable wine towns in California. The Russian River meanders through this small community, which unites the wine regions of Dry Creek, Alexander Valley and the Russian River Valley. Travel across the many vineyards here to get a taste for Californian wine.
Stroll through Healdsburg Plaza to appreciate the town’s atmosphere. This is the most lively part of the community, with boutiques, hotels and restaurants. Walk east for several blocks for the Healdsburg Museum, which chronicles the history of the town through photos, artifacts and documents.
Other cultural highlights in the town center include the Healdsburg Center for the Arts and the Raven Performing Arts Theater. Play a few rounds at Healdsburg Golf Club in the town’s eastern outskirts.
Rent a car to explore the vineyards in the surrounding valleys. Grapes prosper from the dry, hot summers and cool winters in the region. Dry Creek Vineyard is known as the Wine for Sailors due to the iconic sailboat images on its bottles. Choose from one of the tours around the scenic winery and taste its famous dry chenin blanc.
Southeast of the town is Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards, which has a range of tours and tastings available on its 1,300-acre (526-hectare) grounds. Enjoy a meal prepared by the estate’s culinary artist, who pairs the food with the estate’s wines. Visit nearby vineyards, such as the Hanna Winery and Vineyards, the Pezzi King Winery, the Soda Rock Winery and Stuhlmuller Vineyards.
The town is north of the Bay Area in northwestern California. Fly to San Francisco International Airport and drive north for 80 miles (130 kilometers) to get here in about 90 minutes. Cycle or drive to reach the various vineyards. Make sure to see other parts of the region, such as Sacramento, Santa Rosa and Napa.
Live a wine connoisseur’s dream in Healdsburg, with its cultured town center and undulating valleys of vineyards.
