Day Trip From San Francisco to Healdsburg

Discover California’s famous Sonoma Wine Country, including fine wine, farm-to-table cuisine, art, breathtaking scenery, and small-town charm when you take an easy excursion into Healdsburg during your time in San Francisco.

Trendy Healdsburg (pop. 11,541) is a food and wine oasis where you can savor the good life and soak up the vineyard countryside, about a 90-minute drive north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Here is a handy guide to enjoy the day in Healdsburg in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country.

Morning

Healdsburg’s historic central plaza was named by Travel + Leisure Magazine as one of “America’s Most Beautiful Town Squares.” Indeed, the charming outdoor bandstand here hosts free concerts, antique fairs, and festivities.

Start the day right at Costeaux French Bakery. This inviting spot has been a Healdsburg institution since 1923 and is celebrated for its artisan bread, fresh pastries, and delicious breakfasts.

Around Healdsburg’s pretty Plaza, you’ll find everything from antiques and fine art to clothing, books, and farm-fresh delights. For art lovers, some two dozen Healdsburg art galleries are within walking distance of the Plaza.

The 4,000-square-foot Modern Antiquarium overflows with treasures from more than 30 antique vendors, just a few blocks off the Plaza.

You can walk to more than two dozen winery tasting rooms in Healdsburg, and strolling is an excellent way to sip, savor, and shop for extraordinary wines in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country.

To get an inside view of the notable food, wine, and rich history of this renowned region, take a memorable (and delicious!) walking tour with these favorite guides:

• Healdsburg Wine & Food Walking Tours
• Let’s Go Wine Walk
• Savor Healdsburg Food Tours

Afternoon

Because the scenic town of Healdsburg is nestled at the juncture of three famous winegrowing regions, there are more than 100 world-class wineries and tasting rooms within a short drive. Take a scenic cruise to visit the area’s gorgeous vineyard estates in the surrounding wine appellations of the Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Russian River Valley.

Stretch your legs on self-guided free vineyard walking tours in Sonoma Wine Country, such as the memorable meander through five acres of dazzling garden-scapes at Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery. Another fun trail is at the fascinating Francis Ford Coppola Winery in nearby Geyserville.

The Healdsburg area offers gorgeous cycling routes through acres of vineyards, stunning vistas, and quiet roadways. Ace It Bike Tours offers a Healdsburg Wine Country Cycling tour, and Getaway Adventures offers a Healdsburg Sip ‘N Cycle tour.

For something a bit different, Bike Healdsburg offers tours on a party bike powered by the pedaling of 10 people. Cycle with your friends or make new ones as you eat, drink, and pedal your way around Healdsburg.

Find all bike and Segway tours listed within our searchable guide to Outdoor Activities in Sonoma County.

If pampering is your style, A Simple Touch Spa offers herbal spa facials, body scrubs, wraps, and aromatherapy baths. Discover more Sonoma County Spa & Wellness Centers.

Evening

Sip wine before dinner at tasting rooms on the Healdsburg Plaza, which are open later, such as the inviting space at Thumbprint Cellars.

Dinner options in Healdsburg are deliciously diverse. The hyper-local Barndiva selects the finest ingredients from Sonoma County farms and serves its mouthwatering dishes in a mahogany barn adorned with pitchforks on the walls.

Sample small plates designed for sharing at Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar or Bravas Bar de Tapas. Find more craveable cuisine on the full list of Sonoma County Restaurants and click on Healdsburg.

For a bit of Healdsburg nightlife, check out Spicy Vines, a fun and stylish tasting room that offers wines by the glass, curated flights, small bites pairings, and craft wine cocktails. Enjoy an intimate live music experience most Saturday nights, and for dinner with the show, secure your reservations at least a day in advance.

Enjoy a classic cocktail or glass of wine, bistro menu items, and a classic French supper on Sunday evenings at Barndiva Gallery + Bar. The gallery is an art gallery by day and offers stylish dining and drinks most nights.

Duke’s Spirited Cocktails specializes in amazing craft cocktails made to order. Almost all of the liquors and bitters at Duke’s are made from local Sonoma County products, as well as ingredients from their own gardens.

Check out the local watering hole, John & Zeke’s Bar, which has a fun pool table and shuffleboard.

If you spend the night, enjoy sweeping vineyard views at The Madrona, a historic showpiece and boutique hotel that boasts a seasonal saltwater pool, electric bikes for a jaunt to town, and farm-fresh complimentary breakfasts. Browse the complete listing of Sonoma County Lodgings and click on Healdsburg.

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Written by Sonoma Insider Patricia Lynn Henley