Guide to Northern Sonoma County

For your exploring pleasure, here’s a focus on Sonoma County, California’s northern reaches, home to rolling hills and small fertile valleys, premium wineries, and the towns of Healdsburg, Windsor, Cloverdale, and Geyserville.

The official Wine Road unites much of Northern Sonoma County, as it has for more than 40 years, through winery jewels across Alexander, Dry Creek, and Russian River valleys. The Wine Road website offers online maps to more than 100 wineries in this scenic area, including classics such as Joseph Swan Vineyards, and treasures like J Vineyards & Winery, which showcases both sparkling and still wines.

Town Centers in Northern Sonoma County

Healdsburg

The heart of Healdsburg is its historic Healdsburg Plaza, sprawling across an acre of lawn, shaded by trees, with benches for relaxing (and, of course, a picnic paired with wine), and a tiered pagoda gazebo with a stage for live music. Locals and visitors flock to this oasis, as well as to the winery tasting rooms, boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants that line its leafy perimeter — which makes it easy to explore here all day.

Windsor

Each Thursday in the summer, the community and visitors alike gravitate to the Windsor Town Green for the “Summer Nights on the Green” free concert series, to enjoy lively music, food, and wine from vendors in collaboration with the Windsor Farmers Market.

The Town Green anchors the Old Downtown. Dining is a favorite pastime at surrounding restaurants, in a delicious variety of American, French, Italian, Mexican, Vietnamese, Himalayan, and pub cuisines. You can satisfy your sweet tooth at the Cravin’s Candy Emporium, too, and buy fresh flowers, books, jewelry, crafts, antiques, and much more at the many shops around the park.

Cloverdale

Cloverdale is located in the picturesque Alexander Valley wine region. Small town charm abounds — indeed, the city proper covers just 2.7 square miles with a population of about 11,032 people. It’s a beautiful area, framed by oak-studded rolling hills, wineries, vineyards, and farms.

At the center of downtown in Cloverdale’s main plaza, you’ll find annual events like the Farmers Market and free summer concert series: Friday Night Live. Produced by the Cloverdale Arts Alliance, family-friendly activities include music from bands across the country, dining from food vendors and nearby restaurants, premium Sonoma County wines and craft beers by the glass, handcrafted art for sale, and fun for kids. This site also hosts year-round community festivals.

Geyserville

The center of the town of Geyserville is actually the entire town, as Geyserville covers just 4.6 square miles and is home to roughly 860 souls.

Here, the rustic Main Street charms with saloon-style storefronts and wooden boardwalks, leading to acclaimed boutique destinations like Mercury Wine, Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria, and Catelli’s Italian cucina and bar. Independent shops offer art, antiques, collectibles, crafts, gifts, and farming equipment just right for this agricultural oasis.

Parks and Outdoor Recreation

Del Rio Woods, Healdsburg

In Sonoma County’s park system, this lovely place offers 1,000 feet of Russian River beach access. This river spot is a popular swimming destination, and also a favorite launch point for kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and inner tubes. Sunbathing and picnicking await on the rocky beach, complete with stairway access, picnic tables, fishing, birding, and wildlife viewing.

Del Rio Woods 2668 S. Fitch Mountain Road, Healdsburg

Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach, Healdsburg

A favorite swimming beach on the Russian River, this destination has nice amenities like picnic areas, restrooms, and lifeguards (on-site daily from July through Labor Day). Check out the par course and jogging trail.

Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach 13839 Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg 

Riverfront Regional Park, Healdsburg

Two gorgeous lakes here invite you to fish, kayak, canoe, and stand-up paddle. Trail options for biking, birding, horseback riding, and hiking include a two-mile trail that loops around the larger Lake Benoist, with a side path to a small beach on the Russian River. Or stroll a half-mile trail that meanders through coast redwoods and lands at a large picnic area outfitted with barbecues, volleyball fields, and a horseshoe pit. 

Riverfront Regional Park 7821 Eastside Road, Healdsburg 

Foothill Regional Park, Windsor

In the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains, this former ranch embraces 211 acres laced with nearly seven miles of trails. The terrain is stunning, crossing oak woodlands, wildflower meadows, rolling hillsides leading to expansive overlooks, and three bass-and-bluegill fishing ponds. Equestrians and cyclists enjoy private trails, while wheelchair users can navigate a dedicated gravel trail. Full picnic facilities are perfect for relaxation.

Foothill Regional Park 1351 Arata Lane, Windsor 

Shiloh Ranch Regional Park, Windsor

A rugged oasis in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains, Shiloh encompasses 850 acres, including nearly eight miles of hiking, bicycle, and horseback riding trails. The diverse landscape spans oak groves, mixed evergreen forests, canyons, gentle hills, a shady creek, a pond, and a ridge cap with sweeping views.

Equestrians especially appreciate the old ranch roads for pleasure riding, plus the convenience of a gravel parking lot for horse trailers, a flush restroom, and a drinking fountain. Picnicking is another highlight, in an area set with barbecues, a gazebo, a lawn, and a small grove of oaks.

Shiloh Ranch Regional Park 5750 Faught Road, Windsor 

Cloverdale River Park, Cloverdale

The Russian River is the star here, accessed via a paved launch point for kayaks, canoes, and drift boats. Seasonal fishing and picnicking are draws, as is wildlife and riparian habitat viewing.

Cloverdale River Park 31820 McCray Road, Cloverdale 

Restaurants

Northern Sonoma County tempts with dozens of restaurants that offer a global array of cuisines. Uniting them all are premium Sonoma County ingredients, drawn fresh from area farms, ranches, dairies, and creameries.

The edible wealth has not gone unnoticed by the Michelin Guide, which has awarded three of its highly coveted Michelin Star ratings to SingleThread in Healdsburg and one to the Farmhouse Inn in Forestville.

Hotels and Lodging

Whether you desire a quaint bed and breakfast, a posh resort, a relaxed hotel, a charming inn, or a rustic lodge, Northern Sonoma County is rich with options.

• Healdsburg Hotels & Lodging
• Cloverdale Hotels & Lodging
• Geyserville Hotels & Lodging
• Windsor Hotels & Lodging
• Sonoma County Hotels & Lodging