Healdsburg is surrounded by 3 distinct and different valleys: Dry Creek, Alexander, and Russian River. This allows you to explore one valley at a time and return to Healdsburg in the evening.
BREAKFAST
There are a host of cafes in Healdsburg with some focusing more on fresh-baked bread, others more on good coffee. Take your pick. Center Street Cafe for an eggs-and-bacon type breakfast.
LUNCH
As the valleys do not really have any places to go for lunch, it's best to do a picnic. Stopping off at Oakville Grocery (in Healdsburg) or the Jimtown Store (in Alexander Valley) and then hitting one of the wineries with picnic tables is the way to go. Try Lambert Bridge (Dry Creek) for example.
WINERIES hit in each valley
DRY CREEK VALLEY
Ferrari-Carano - over-the-top Tuscan-style villa with views / wines generally so-so, but v good affordable Syrah
Preston - bit disapointed in the wines, but nice bucolic setting
Lambert Bridge - do the reserve tasting, wonderful setting
A. Rafanelli - small, family-owned, v good cabs, merlot, and zin (by appointment only)
Yoakim Bridge - even smaller, less than 2000 cases a year, great zins + great spicy meatballs!
ALEXANDER VALLEY
Stryker - great views of the Alexander Valley, but the wines are so-so
Jordan - this was probably the 2nd favorite - Tom Jordan's French country manor w/a small tour of the grounds, excellent cabs and chardonnay / tasting is done in library with couches (by appointment only)
Alexander Valley - some good picnic tables, did not go and taste
Simi - it's big, impersonal, and the wines are not so good, apparently the tour is good
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
J - this was everyone's favorite. They do food pairings with tastings. Known for their brut, but all their wines are excellent esp their Nicole's Vineyard Pinot Noir. FYI - the J stands for Judy Jordan, Tom Jordan's daughter.
Hop Kiln - nice setting, inexpensive wines
Gary Farrell - stunning views and excellen pinot noirs
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Lake Sonoma has good hiking trails with expansive views over the lake and surrounding area
Armstrong Redwood Park has hiking trails among the redwoods.
The main square in Healdsburg usually has something going on - whether it's some type of market or even Shakespeare in the Park
LOUNGES in Healdsbug
Barndiva (outdoor garden)
Hotel Healdsburg lobby (big fireplace)
Lots of tasting rooms as well, but they usually close by 5.30
DINNER in Healdsburg:
Willi's Seafood (tapas and oysters - absolute favorite place to go)
Zin (pork chops, steaks + big zins to go with them)
Manzanita (wood-fired pizza and straightforward dishes)
Dry Creek Kitchen (high end dining - Charlie Palmer is the chef - did not end up going)
BREAKFAST
There are a host of cafes in Healdsburg with some focusing more on fresh-baked bread, others more on good coffee. Take your pick. Center Street Cafe for an eggs-and-bacon type breakfast.
LUNCH
As the valleys do not really have any places to go for lunch, it's best to do a picnic. Stopping off at Oakville Grocery (in Healdsburg) or the Jimtown Store (in Alexander Valley) and then hitting one of the wineries with picnic tables is the way to go. Try Lambert Bridge (Dry Creek) for example.
WINERIES hit in each valley
DRY CREEK VALLEY
Ferrari-Carano - over-the-top Tuscan-style villa with views / wines generally so-so, but v good affordable Syrah
Preston - bit disapointed in the wines, but nice bucolic setting
Lambert Bridge - do the reserve tasting, wonderful setting
A. Rafanelli - small, family-owned, v good cabs, merlot, and zin (by appointment only)
Yoakim Bridge - even smaller, less than 2000 cases a year, great zins + great spicy meatballs!
ALEXANDER VALLEY
Stryker - great views of the Alexander Valley, but the wines are so-so
Jordan - this was probably the 2nd favorite - Tom Jordan's French country manor w/a small tour of the grounds, excellent cabs and chardonnay / tasting is done in library with couches (by appointment only)
Alexander Valley - some good picnic tables, did not go and taste
Simi - it's big, impersonal, and the wines are not so good, apparently the tour is good
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
J - this was everyone's favorite. They do food pairings with tastings. Known for their brut, but all their wines are excellent esp their Nicole's Vineyard Pinot Noir. FYI - the J stands for Judy Jordan, Tom Jordan's daughter.
Hop Kiln - nice setting, inexpensive wines
Gary Farrell - stunning views and excellen pinot noirs
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Lake Sonoma has good hiking trails with expansive views over the lake and surrounding area
Armstrong Redwood Park has hiking trails among the redwoods.
The main square in Healdsburg usually has something going on - whether it's some type of market or even Shakespeare in the Park
LOUNGES in Healdsbug
Barndiva (outdoor garden)
Hotel Healdsburg lobby (big fireplace)
Lots of tasting rooms as well, but they usually close by 5.30
DINNER in Healdsburg:
Willi's Seafood (tapas and oysters - absolute favorite place to go)
Zin (pork chops, steaks + big zins to go with them)
Manzanita (wood-fired pizza and straightforward dishes)
Dry Creek Kitchen (high end dining - Charlie Palmer is the chef - did not end up going)
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