Page 94 - 2015 Travel Guide to California

HEALDSBURG
Sonoma’s sophisticated, relaxed, wine country town
»TASTE, BROWSE,
DINE, EXPLORE
Healdsburg Chamber
of Commerce and
Visitors Bureau
healdsburg.com
DRY CREEK VINEYARD, above;
enjoying Healdsburg’s plaza, below.
DATING FROM 1857, the centerpiece and
defining feature of Healdsburg is its
beloved Spanish style plaza designed by
Harmon Heald. The one-acre quadrangle,
shaded by towering redwoods and date
palms, is grand in scale but has an intimate,
accessible feel. Possibly the liveliest plaza
in Sonoma, it was recently voted one of
“America’s Most Beautiful Town Squares”
and Healdsburg was ranked among the best
small towns to visit in 2014.
The plaza plays host to numerous events
including the Antique Fair sponsored by
the Historical Society in May and the highly
regarded Healdsburg Jazz Festival held in
early June. Throughout the summer
months, on Tuesday evenings, the plaza
transforms into an outdoor community
living room where locals and visitors gather
for a free concert series.
From the plaza it’s a leisurely stroll to
the many wine tasting rooms, artisan bak-
eries, coffee spots, cheese shops, art
galleries, bookshops and boutiques
offering clothing, house wares and
inspired one-of-a-kind gifts. Or venture a
few blocks off Center Street to see scores
of colorful, well-preserved historic
92 2015 T R AV E L G U I D E TO C A L I F O R N I A
B Y M A R C Y G O R D O N
homes, many in use as B&Bs. Surrounded
by vineyards, and located just off Highway
101, Healdsburg is the ideal home base
from which to explore the world-
renowned wine appellations of Alexander
Valley, Chalk Hill, Dry Creek Valley and
Russian River Valley. Wine, of course, is a
main focus of the town with more than 25
tasting rooms and wineries within
walking distance of its center.
Dining options are plentiful, from
casual cafés to elite restaurants creating
sublime seasonal fare incorporating the
bounty of local ingredients and show-
casing regional wines. Although most
famous for its wine, Healdsburg also has
a lively craft beer scene and is home to the
locally brewed Racer 5 India Pale Ale.
Beyond the city center, the Russian River
and peaceful stands of ancient redwoods
are the focal point for hiking and canoeing,
and the mostly flat back roads that wind
through the vineyard valleys make the area
a world-class bicycling destination.
Sophisticated, yet rustic, Healdsburg,
with its agrarian roots, delivers small
town charm and a wine country lifestyle
that’s both laid-back and luxurious.
HEALDSBURG CVB