Why Your Next Fancy Trip Needs To Be Healdsburg, California - Updated 2024

things to do in healdsburg california
Schuyler
Schuyler 
Updated
| 5 min read

Food, wine, friends, and fun. If those keywords describe what you’re considering to be the basis on your next vacation, you’re in for good news if you’re heading to Northern California. Healdsburg, California, is a land chock full of some of the finer things in life that you’ll be sure to enjoy - from fantastic vineyards, wine tasting rooms, chic French bakeries, a bicycle tour, a tea room/restaurant spa - and much more. Comfortable, down to earth, casual and fun are the atmospheric tones in this uber cool town - there’s fun to be had for everyone, of all age groups. It also offers a number of Airbnb vacation rentals and Vrbo vacation rentals with amazing amenities for your accommodation needs.

Feeling outdoors-y? Take advantage of your awesome surroundings by checking out the local hiking trails. You’re also in great luck if you want to get in some biking and canoeing! Camping is also a must for those itching to get out and take in the perfect Northern California weather and terrain. For those daring few though, you don’t want to miss checking out hot air ballooning for amazing aerial sights.

Here are the top things to do in Healdsburg:

1. Earthy, rustic, casual tones make for a relaxing stay

La Crema winery from above
Source: Photo by Flickr user Thomas Kriese used under CC BY 2.0

A great place to check out is the Healdsburg Town Square, where you can enjoy the outdoors and get in a nice walk after a lovely dinner at one of the many fantastically rustic restaurants there is on offer. Speaking of fantastically rustic, you won’t want to miss trendy and down to earth Valette, (344 Center Street) where Chef Dustin Valette uses the finest, fresh ingredients from local organic farms in his dishes. In the mood for tapas bar? Check out Bravas (one of the Stark Reality restaurants), located at 420 Center Street, one of the most popular tapas bars in Healdsburg. Think warm, earthy, sensual colors, tons of space, both indoor and outdoor dining, but add duck meatballs to that and you’re almost there. Fan of vino? You’re gonna feel like you won the jackpot with this one.

Given the beautiful geographic location, there’s an endless array and selection of the finest Northern Californian wine to choose from - which, while we’re on the subject, you absolutely must go to a wine tasting room. (Psst - La Crema Tasting Room should be good!).

La Crema Winery

Address: 235 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, CA 95448

Website: La Crema Winery

Visited this place?

2. Beautiful history at Healdsburg Ave & Matheson St

Healdsburg Plaza
Source: Photo by Flickr user Prayitno / Thank ... used under CC BY 2.0

Sonoma County is chock full of stunning landscapes, endless vineyards and striking architecture, and Healdsburg is no exception. For those wanting to experience outdoor activities in the rustic beauty of Healdsburg, look no further than the 19th-century Historic Plaza (Healdsburg Ave & Matheson St). Boasting fantastic turn of the century homes and wine tasting rooms, there’s also quaint boutiques, art galleries, coffee shops, bookstores, and more here.

Healdsburg Plaza

Address: Healdsburg Ave & Matheson St, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Visited this place?

3. Vineyards Galore

Discovery Wine & Cheese Pairing at Amista Vineyards
Source: Photo by Flickr user Sarah Stierch used under CC BY 2.0

If you’re looking to enjoy the good life during your stay in beautiful Northern California, Healdsburg is the perfect destination. There are literally so many vineyards and wine tasting rooms to choose from, so what better way to organize and start planning your fun adventures than to start with your wine road map? Below, you can see all the glory each vineyard has to offer, between Alexander Valley, to the Russian River Valley.

Healdsburg Vineyards

Website: Winery Map

Visited this place?

4. Food tours (from USD 125.0)

Near the town square (and on 22 Matheson Street) you’ll find what many visitors and locals call “an excellent good time” and “perfect way to spend the day!”, from wine tasting to trying new foods that are sure to tickle your palate. Combining the simple pleasures of walking and exploring with socializing within the community, it’s a lovely way to take in the best of what Healdsburg has to offer. Your helpful, friendly guide will take you through different points of interest while you sip on various wines and snack on foods. What’s not to love?

Healdsburg Food Tour

Contact: +1 7073859811, info@savorhealdsburg.com

Website: Savor Healdsburg Food Tours

Visited this place?

Healdsburg Small-Group Food and Wine Walking Tour

Duration: 4 hours

341 reviews

5. Unique family fun - because why not

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Sure, when you’ve sampled every wine known to North America, hiked through all of the grand trails and feel stuffed to the gills with fancy food on your food tours, you may feel like you’ve run out of options. Never fear, there’s plenty of fun and weird (read: different!) activities you can check out while you’re in Healdsburg. To some it’s lazy. To others it’s kind of fun. Remember when Segways were a thing? Well they still are and you too can glide your way while taking in stunning localities, like the Russian River! Segway of Healdsburg has got to be the coolest kid friendly thing to do.

Segway of Healdsburg

Website: Segway of Healdsburg

Visited this place?

6. Healdsburg Museum

Healdsburg Museum
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user CrabTree13 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

History fans? Guess what - Healdsburg is full of it, which means tons of museums and walks - such as the Healdsburg Museum. For those wanting to learn about the early past times of where you currently are, the Healdsburg Museum & Historical Society is perfection. You almost seem to go back in time with lectures, artifacts, old maps and real documents, and more. There’s so much to be experienced here in beautiful Sonoma County, and there is no shortage of charm and beauty.

Also important to note, there is a wide variety of architecturally impressive lodges as well, so wherever you decide to stay overnight, you’ll expect lovely Spanish style flourishes and soothing ambiance. So whether you’re traveling alone, with a special someone, or taking the whole family, there’s so much to be seen and done, and much fun for everyone.

Healdsburg Museum

Address: 221 Matheson St, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Website: Healdsburg Museum & Historical Society

Visited this place?

7. Welcoming all art lovers

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Art is a universal medium for all ages to enjoy, and what better thing to do for lovers of such a medium than to take a short walk to the Healdsburg Center for the Arts. This is a haven for anybody interested in art, where you can check out the adult classes and workshops, and the youth classes and workshops (perfect for the kids - what a fun opportunity during your stay!). Or you can just stroll around and experience the exhibitions that are going on, which are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Healdsburg Center for the Arts

Address: 130 Plaza St, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Website: Healdsburg Center for the Arts

Visited this place?

8. Hand Fan Museum

Hand Fan Museum
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user CrabTree13 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Yes, you read that right. On the subject of unique and quite different types of activities, the Healdsburg Hand Fan Museum certainly deserves a mention. It was founded by Pamela Sher and has a collection of over 2,500 fans. This is a thing to consider going to, if your interests tie in with history, a bit of accessories and sheer randomness.

Hand Fan Museum

Address: 219 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Phone: +1 7074312500

Website: Hand Fan Museum

Visited this place?

Simply put, Healdsburg is a perfect destination

Healdsburg
Source: Photo by user Prayitno / Thank ... used under CC BY 2.0

Healdsburg is the perfect location for any amount of time, no matter the season. Whether you’re going alone, or taking the family with you, it won’t take much to feel at home, cozy, relaxed, and perfectly at ease in the warm, earthy Tuscan tones around you. The next time you visit Northern California, make sure your next town is Healdsburg, where you can experience some of the best vineyards in the country.

For a unique place to stay, try the glamping spots near Healdsburg.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Meet Schuyler, a passionate writer and avid traveler who revels in exploring diverse cultures and embracing historical contexts. Her curiosity is drawn to traveling, and she is keen to unravel what...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore Healdsburg
Looking for accommodation?
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.