9 Uniquely Healdsburg Things to Do

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by WINECOUNTRY STAFF
on APRIL 20, 2016

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With a quaint downtown and a gorgeous countryside, trendy Healdsburg is one of the most idyllic spots to spend a few days in all of California. The robust town is teeming with options for those who like to relax or get active, witness natural beauty, or nosh on some of the best food in the region. Follow our top picks for a quintessential Healdsburg visit.

1

Wineries / Healdsburg

Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery

While those on the East Coast can only enjoy blossoming gardens for a few seasons, something is always blooming in Northern California—and Ferrari-Carano Winery and Gardens celebrates this bounty everyday. The winery, of course, is what attracts most visitors, but the five spectacular acres of gardens is what keeps them there for hours. Some areas look like they were lifted straight from an Italian villa; others are home to bronze sculptures crafted by world-renowned artists, specifically for the gardens.

Insider Tip

Though flowers are always filling Ferrari-Carano Winery and Gardens with color, the springtime is a jaw-dropping time, when more than 10,000 tulips and daffodils come into full bloom.

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2

Things To Do / Healdsburg

Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society

The Healdsburg Museum, housed in a former library built in 1910, features exhibits focusing on the history and environment of Healdsburg and Sonoma County. The free museum is a great starting point to understanding the culture of northern California’s wine country. Permanent displays include baskets and other artifacts from the Western Wappo tribes that occupied the area well before European settlers, as well as the tools used by the region’s first winegrowers.

Insider Tip

Top the museum visit off with a bittersweet mocha at Flying Goat Coffee, two blocks away – the baristas shave dark chocolate right into the espresso.

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3

Things To Do / Healdsburg

Healdsburg Plaza

Healdsburg Plaza is at the center of downtown Healdsburg and provides a green respite from the bustling sidewalks. The gazebos hosts live music on occasion, and the small park is surrounded by boutiques, restaurants, and wine bars. Just pick a direction and start walking: you’ll come across a one-of-a-kind Healdsburg experience within a few blocks, like the famously refreshing Racer 5 India Pale Ale at Bear Republic Brewing Company.

Insider Tip

A slice of fresh baked pie at Noble Folk Ice Cream & Pie Bar, adjacent to the idyllic plaza, is totally worth the quick wait in line.

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4

Things To Do / Healdsburg

Wine Country Walking Tour

Get some exercise while you sample different local wines and cuisine with a Wine Country Walking Tour through downtown Healdsburg. Expect engaging, down-to-earth guides who fully immerse you in the tastes, culture, and history of the region (They’ll also be happy to answer questions you might be afraid to ask at a posh winery, like why do certain wines improve the flavor of certain foods?).

Insider Tip

The four-hour New Flavors of Healdsburg tour is a TripAdvisor favorite: it centers on several gourmet locales that even well-researched foodies might not know about yet.

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5

Things To Do / Healdsburg

Hand Fan Museum of Healdsburg

Nearly every society in history has used hand fans at one point or another, but the only museum in the United States dedicated to the delicate accessory is in Healdsburg. The Hand Fan Museum is tiny, but the collection is rich, with fans that are intricate hand-painted antiques or jewel-encrusted showstoppers. Some museum staff favorites come from ancient Japan, Victorian England, and 19th Century French advertising agencies.

Insider Tip

The Hand Fan Museum is not just educational: if the afternoon heat in Healdsburg is stifling your mood, stop in to buy a stylish fan from the museum to keep yourself from wilting.

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8

Things To Do / Healdsburg

Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve

With charming views of the Russian River and miles of hiking trails, Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve is a delightful way to spend a few hours away from the bustle of downtown Healdsburg or the nearby wineries. Often absent of tourists, the landscape is a favorite with hikers because it changes from wide-open grassy fields, to pine forests, to vernal pools.

Insider Tip

After spring rains, the park is an kaleidoscope of color, and is a great location to see some of the local wildflowers like hound’s tongue and California buttercups.

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9

Things To Do / Healdsburg

Segway of Healdsburg

The only people who criticize Segways are those who haven’t tried them yet. Segway of Healdsburg offers several tours to wineries and the downtown area, but perhaps the most beguiling journey is through Northern California’s famous redwood forests. Zip around this beautiful region with a knowledgeable guide and one of the most fun ways to travel. Segway of Healdsburg even caters lunch on some tours, so ask ahead.

Insider Tip

Segway of Healdsburg is a great way to see Sonoma County’s most famous sites without stressing about parking.

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