Things to Do in Healdsburg: Complete Travel Guide to Where to Stay, Eat, and Explore
Healdsburg, California is one of the biggest destinations in Sonoma County, and for good reason! This little town is packed full of amazing food, wine, art, outdoor activities, and so much more. As a Sonoma County local, I wanted to put together my favorite things to do in Healdsburg in one place.
Located about 70 miles north of San Francisco, Healdsburg is home to some of the best tasting rooms and “farm-to-table” cuisine that Sonoma County has to offer.
We live in close proximity to this great little town, so I’ve put together a list of some of my favorites to help you plan your next trip!
Short on Time?
Where to stay: Montage Healdsburg
What to eat: Barndiva
What to do: Food and Wine walking tour
Things to do in Healdsburg
Healdsburg has some really incredible food and a variety of things to do, even if wine isn’t your thing! Here are my top 5 recommendations for things to do in Healdsburg.
1. Take a Food and Wine Walking tour
A walking tour is one of the best ways to explore a new area, meet people, and get a feel for a new place. If you can plan this tour on one of your first days here, you can get an idea of where your favorites are!
This tour lasts about half of the day, and allows travelers 21 and over. During this tour, you will make several stops along the way, and the cost of each stop is included in the fee! There is about a mile of walking required overall.
Reserve your spot for the Healdsburg walking tour HERE!
2. Tour local Wineries with your Group
If wine tasting is on your itinerary, this is a great way to experience everything the area has to offer, without worrying about driving. This tour can accommodate up to 14 people, which would be perfect for a group of wine lovers.
This is a full day tour with all of the amenities you would expect from a high-end wine tour!
3. Explore the Healdsburg Square
Located in the center of downtown, the Healdsburg Square is surrounded by shops, tasting rooms, great restaurants and more. You can easily spend a day here tasting wine, shopping and enjoying great food.
From May through August, check out “Music on the Square” from Tuesdays from 6-8 pm. Check here for the full schedule! There are also concerts on Sundays in the Summer from 6-8! All concerts are free, so bring a chair and enjoy!
The Healdsburg Farmer’s Market is also held on Tuesday (on the plaza) and Saturdays (one block away in the West Plaza parking lot). They both start in the morning between 8-9 am and end around noon.
They also offer Movies Under the Stars on Fridays in the summer from 7-10!
4. Relax at Memorial Beach in the Summer or Fall
Healdsburg can be enjoyed year-round, and if you come on a hot day this is a great place to cool off. Memorial Beach has beach access to the Russian River and is staffed with lifeguards from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The beach is accessible, has flushable toilets, and also has life vests that can be provided.
This is a great beach for swimming, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding! Dogs are allowed in some areas. Memorial Beach is operated by the Sonoma County Regional Parks Department, so the parking fee is $12 in the summer (or fee if you have an annual pass).
5. Go Horseback riding near Lake Sonoma
If you’re looking for something to do besides wine tasting, this is a great unique way to experience another side of Sonoma County! This tour begins near Healdsburg and only lasts about 90 minutes.
During this tour, you will get to see some of the landscape of the area including vineyards, Lake Sonoma, and wilderness in the Dry Creek wine region.
Book your Horseback Riding tour HERE!
Where to Stay in Healdsburg
Healdsburg has a range of accommodations, ranging from the best luxury stays in Sonoma County to glamping!
These are in close proximity to the best things to do in town. Here are some of my favorites:
6. Montage Hotel- 5 stars
Rated 10/10 with 16 reviews
The Montage Hotel is the best luxury hotel in Healdsburg, offering everything from hotel rooms to large studios with all of the amenities. The Montage Hotel is located about 3.4 miles from the Healdsburg Square, so you can relax away from the busier part of town without being too far away.
They have a stunning pool, full spa, tons of activities, breakfast, and even kid-friendly amenities as needed.
Book your stay at Montage HERE
7. Healdsburg inn on the Plaza- 3 Stars
Rated 8.8/10 with 108 reviews
This bed and breakfast is located on the plaza and is the perfect place to stay if you love a walkable location. It was rated 9.9 for location on booking.com! They include breakfast as well as afternoon wine and hors d’ oeuvres.
Book your stay at Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza HERE
8. The Ruse- 3 stars
Rated 9.7/10 with 111 reviews
The Ruse is a perfect blend of unique Victorian charm and modern decor and amenities. This hotel is walkable to downtown and has a pool, hot tub, beautiful grounds, and breakfast!
This hotel is great for couples, with no kids under 16 allowed.
Book your stay at the Ruse HERE
9.H2 Hotel- 3 stars
Rated 8.4/10 with 169 reviews
H2 is another boutique hotel located near the Square! They offer everything including a spa, to saltwater pool and more. Kids and dogs are allowed here as well.
10. Wildhaven Glamping
Rated 8.3/10 with 84 reviews
Wildhaven Glamping is a unique way to enjoy a little more nature in Sonoma County, with your own private beachfront access to the Russian River! They offer family friendly activities including fishing, hiking, and more. They offer both cabins (with A/C!) and glamping tents.
Book your stay at Wildhaven Glamping HERE
Best places to Eat in Healdsburg
As a foodie destination, there is no way I can cover all of the amazing places to eat in Healdsburg in a short list. Here are my top 6 picks, but there are so so many more!
Breakfast and Brunch
11. Acorn Cafe
This is not your average breakfast place! Acorn cafe is famous for their lemon ricotta hotcakes, which are fluffy, perfect, and not to be missed!
12. Parish Cafe
This is another unique breakfast and brunch place, offering Louisiana style food. Breakfast is served daily and brunch is offered on the weekends! Food ranges from traditional breakfast to beignets and shrimp and grits.
13. Little Saint
Little Saint hits every category, serving everything from breakfast to dinner. They also serve wine, cocktails, coffee, and have live music. Little Saint offers 100% plant based food, sourced from their own farm. If sustainability and high quality everything is your jam, look no further.
Lunch and Dinner
14. Barndiva
Barndiva is a “Michelin recommended” causal fine dining restaurant in downtown Healdsburg. Food is “farm to table” style, so expect to eat unique, seasonal dishes with perfect wine pairings. This is one of the staples in town, so be sure to make a reservation.
15. Single Thread
No Healdsburg restaurant round up would be complete without Single Thread. Single Thread and Little Saint are sister restaurants, and share values and sourcing. Recently awarded THREE Michelin stars, this is a unique plant based fine dining experience features food sourced from their nearby farm. Make a reservation if you plan on dining here as well.
16. Taste of Tea
This place is one of my favorite Japanese restaurants in Sonoma County! They have unique ramen recipes including. A salmon with yuzu broth ramen that I still dream about. They only have a few tables, so make sure to reserve a spot if you want to go on a weekend.
FAQs
Is Healdsburg worth a Visit?
Every town in Sonoma County has a distinct vibe. If experiencing some of the best food and wine Sonoma County has to offer, do not miss Healdsburg! It would be easy to spend an entire weekend or more exploring this little town and the surrounding areas.
Which is Better, Healdsburg or Sonoma?
This depends on your preference. Each town has amazing restaurants, wine, and outdoorsy things to do. Each town is in a different wine region (Alexander Valley vs Sonoma Valley) so if you have a preference of wine, start there! You can also check out my guide to places to stay in Sonoma, or my Sonoma County Guide.
Does Healdsburg Have a Downtown?
The area of the Healdsburg square is downtown Healdsburg. This area is packed with things to do and is very walkable. You can easily spend an entire day here, especially if you catch it on a day with the events like music or movies on the square.
Take Aways
This is by FAR not an exhaustive list of everything to do in Healdsburg! There is so much to do in this area, but this should give you some ideas on where to start. Cheers!
For info about the rest of Sonoma County, check out my guide here.
