Why Healdsburg Should Be Your New Favorite Wine Country Getaway

Stay

Wildhaven Sonoma
This spot right on the Russian River opened last summer and you are going to love it! Safari tents with actual beds are available for families with communal BBQs on site. Walk a few steps down to the river and spend the whole day tubing, catching fish and enjoying the sun. This summer they added fun events like summer concerts and yoga. Read all about Wildhaven here.

Tip: Bring water shoes and river tubes for your day on the water!

2411 Alexander Valley Rd.
Healdsburg, CA
Online: wildhavensonoma.com

The Dry Creek Inn
This hotel feels like a Tuscan-inspired villa, filled with lovely gardens and courtyards, two new heated pools, a large hot tub and a modern gym. Enjoy the complimentary breakfast inside the cafe or by the fire pit or courtyard, and don’t forget to check out the complimentary wine tasting after you check in. The Dry Creek Inn is not only super kid friendly, but you can also bring your pets, making it easy for all members of your family to enjoy their stay.

Tip: Bring bathing suits as their heated pools are open year round and ask about the complimentary yoga classes!

198 Dry Creek Road
Healdsburg, CA
800-222-5784
Online: drycreekinn.com

Two Thirty-Five Luxury Suites
Right on the main drag, this hotel's massive suites have all the comforts of home and more. Each suite has three bedrooms each with its own bathroom. Hang out in the living room enjoying the fireplace and balcony. Families will love the full kitchen with dining table for when you want to enjoy a relaxed meal. There's even a washer/dryer for life's messes (that even happen when you are on vacation). Plan your family reunion here—they've got four suites (each with three bedrooms, three bathrooms) and gathering space available for your family shin digs. Bonus: the La Crema tasting room is downstairs!

235 Healdsburg Ave.
Healdsburg, CA
Online: twothirty-five.com

Hipcamp's Meadow Glampsite at Sindisa Sanctuary
Got kids who love animals? This is the glamping spot for you! Drive up to the hills above Healdsburg's vineyards and you'll find this animal sanctuary that is the perfect spot to spend a night or two under the stars. The safari tent has beds that sleep five and there's an overflow tent for two if you need it. The outdoor kitchen has literally everything you need to grill up some burgers and make some French press coffee in the morning. 

Take the ranch tour and you can meet the alpacas, pigs, donkeys, horses and cattle that make their home at this animal sanctuary. They also offer trail rides for those who want to spend more time with the horses. 

Another property highlight is the rustic pool that is yours for the duration of your stay. It's the perfect spot for cooling off after a hot day in wine country. 

Online: hipcamp.com

Play

Russian River Adventures
Looking for the perfect family activity in Healdsburg? Paddle down the Russian River and enjoy all the peaceful tranquility that the river provides. Opt for the half-day paddle if you have little ones or the full-day for older kids (full-day is 9 miles and takes you about 5-6 hours). You walk from the office in Healdsburg to the launch location and Russian River Adventures drops your car off at the final destination so you can jet when you are done. The summer of 2021 provided water levels that were totally fine for paddling with just a few short distances where you needed to push your canoe over shallow spots. Russian River Adventures does a great job of marking areas to avoid on the river. 

Insider tips: Pack more food and drinks than you think you'll need and reapply sunscreen at regular intervals so nobody gets fried.

20 Healdsburg Ave.
Healdsburg, CA
Online: russianriveradventures.com

Wine Country Bikes
There's no better way to see this gorgeous area of wine country than on two wheels. Wine Country Bikes can hook you up with tandems for the crew and even electric-assist bikes for when the going gets tough. Book a tour and one of their friendly guides will take you to local wineries where you can taste the area's pinots and enjoy a picnic lunch along the way.

61 Front St.
Healdsburg, CA
Online: winecountrybikes.com

Spa Hotel Healdsburg
If mom is looking for an afternoon of relaxation, book her a massage at Hotel Healdsburg. Choose from wine country specials like the aromatic Meyer lemon and sage massage that will send her into total relaxation mode immediately. Treatments include access to the Jacuzzi and pool nestled out back under the olive trees.

25 Matheson St.
Healdsburg, CA
Online: hotelhealdsburg.com/spa/

Visit

DaVero Farms & Winery
This beautiful, certified biodynamic farm and winery is home to olive groves, a vineyard, fruit trees, an expansive vegetable garden, as well as chickens, sheep and pigs. Vero focuses exclusively on Italian grape and olive varietals that are best suited for California's Mediterranean climate and the results are delicious. Stop over for a wine and olive oil tasting and bring your kids along as they can play in the garden or check out the animals while you sip on some of the best wines of the region.

1766 Westside Road
Healdsburg, CA
Online: davero.com

Preston Farm and Winery
As the name implies, this winery is also home to animals like sheep, hens and occasionally pigs. Kids will love the many cats that roam the property (but leave Fido at home for this visit). Grab one of Preston's famed Rhône varietal wines and enjoy it with a picnic lunch on the grass. Grab some pastured eggs and ground lamb in the shop to take home with you (along with your vino, of course).

9282 West Dry Creek Road
Healdsburg, CA
Online: prestonfarmandwinery.com

Eat & Drink

The Wurst Restaurant
The Wurst has some of the best sausages in the region and there’s one (or two) for every member of the family—even the veggie-only eaters. They are served with fresh-cut fries, sweet potato fries or onion rings. They also make amazing burgers and salads if you are not in a sausage mood.

Tip: Check out their extensive mustard selection before heading to your table!

22 Matheson St
Healdsburg, CA
Online: wurstrestaurant.com

PizZando
Right in the middle of downtown, PizZando is a great option for families. Snag a spot and dine al fresco or order your wood-fired pizzas to go. We love the Pizza, Pizza, Pizza meal that comes with three pizzas, a salad and focaccia bread for $75.  

301 Healdsburg Ave. 
Healdsburg, CA
Online: pizzandohealdsburg.com

Barndiva
If you need a spot to celebrate a special occasion, head to Barndiva. This gorgeous restaurant has outdoor dining in the massive back garden as well as large tables in the restaurant. Quirky decor pairs well with the delicious options like seared king salmon and pan-roasted halibut. They are open Wednesday-Sunday for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch.

231 Cedar St.
Healdsburg, CA
Online: barndiva.com

Bravas Bar de Tapas
Bravas has consistently been rated as one of the best tapas restaurants in the country (even those hailing from Spain will agree). The restaurant features a stunning patio (for lunch or dinner) and a beautiful menu featuring tapas and other Spanish-typical dishes like tortilla de patata (Spanish potato omelette) and Paella.

Tip: The kids will love the jamón serrano and manchego cheese sandwich and you will fall in love with the Barcelona martini.

420 Center St
Healdsburg, CA
707-433-7700
Online: starkrestaurants.com