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HEALDSBURG | Healdsburg is a small town in Sonoma County, about an hour out of Napa, and for many years it’s been shadowed by more popular cities in the area but that’s all been changing. People are awaking to Healdsburg’s charms – its relaxed vibe, amazing food and drink, cute boutiques and more. We always try to get to Healdsburg for a day or two when we’re visiting California’s wine country, and we always leave happy and recharged. Here’s our guide to a day in Healdsburg.
Eat
To start your day, head to Healdsburg SHED, which is a market, café, and community gathering space designed to bring customers closer to the way that local producers grow, prepare, and share their food. On offer is a seasonally curated selection of workshops, wares, and freshly prepared foods, which can be enjoyed on site or taken away. Alternatively head to local institution Costeaux French Bakery, which have been baking a wide selection of cakes, pastries and desserts since 1981.
For dinner, check out Single Thread, a Japanese Roykan style accommodation and restaurant has been getting a lot of attention. It’s the brainchild of chef Kyle Connaughton (Fat Duck) and his wife Katina, who spent three and a half years living in Hokkaido, Japan. The 55 seat restaurant treats diners to Connaughton’s interpretation of traditional Japanese kaiseki cuisine using ingredients mostly sourced from surrounding Sonoma County and his farm.
Dry Creek Kitchen is the place to go for simple American fare made using quality, local, seasonal ingredients, and Campo Fino is a great place to visit for Neapolitan style wood fired pizzas and Italian snacks. If it’s BBQ you’re after, you can’t go past Kinsmoke, which uses the highest quality meat cooked on the grill or in the pit over California Oak and cherry woods, and is influenced by BBQ styles across the USA.
Drink
Bear Republic Brewery is one of the best independent craft breweries in the country and their original brewery and brewpub is right in the centre of Healdsburg. It’s a great place to sample many of Bear Republic’s core range, seasonal, and specialty beers. The Racer 5 IPA is one of the most awarded beers in the USA and is fantastic fresh on tap here. The food menu, which features an assortment of dishes made using locally souced, seasonal ingredients, is great too.
If wine is more your thing, then check out Mueller Winery Tasting Room, where you can try Bob Mueller’s award winning chardonnay and Pinot Noir, as well as his fantastic Old Vine Zinfandel and Syrah. Another great option for lovers of good wine is Siduri Wine Bar and Tasting Lounge, which offers themed tasting flights of wine and matched seasonal bites too.
A bit different than the rest is Bergamot Alley, a wine and craft beer bar that, despite being smack bang in the middle of California wine country, offers no American wines, but rather fantastic wines from around the world.
For cocktails, head to Duke’s Spirited Cocktails, who showcase locally made spirits, beer and wine, as well as a high quality international selection.
Explore
Healdsburg is a beautiful town, with some amazing architecture dating back to it founding in 1871. The Spanish-style Plaza serves as the centerpiece of the city and is a great place to simple wander around and explore. If you want to explore nearby attractions out of town, rent a bike from Wine Country Bikes, who will provide you with a number of suggested routes.
Shop
For those looking for some retail therapy, check out One World Fair Trade, who sell an assortment of fair trade gifts and products, as well as the aforementioned Healdsburg SHED. Looking Glass is a fantastic boutique for those looking for women’s clothing, while Lime Stone is the place to go if you’re looking for things to help spruce up your home.