The Healdsburg Area: Things To Do
Those of us who live in Healdsburg know just how lucky we are. Here in the heart of Northern
California Wine Country,
we enjoy a mild climate, clean air, a gorgeous landscape, and close proximity to San Francisco.
The historic town
of Healdsburg is a mecca for food and wine lovers, with its wealth of five star restaurants,
world-famous wines, and organic
and locally-grown produce. There's no shortage of cultural and active pursuits in our area.
Shopping and gallery
hopping, boating and swimming, hiking and bicycling, winetasting and golf — there's an
activity for
every persuasion.
Local Activities:
- Lake Sonoma:
approximately 20 minutes north, follow Dry Creek Road. Picnicking,
boating, fish hatchery, trails, and Jet Ski rentals, 433-2200.
- Wine Tasting: visit as many of the 300
Sonoma County wineries you can fit in. Most all
are open daily, with
tasting and picnicking areas; some charge tasting fees. Range from large, world-renown labels to
small, family-run operations; all are friendly and look forward to your visit. You can taste a
large sampling of 5 appellations in one day: Dry
Creek,
Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill, Green
Valley, Russian River, and Napa Valley.
- J. Rickards Vineyards and Winery, in Cloverdale: a personal
favorite! Jim Rickards is a great friend and mentor to Virgil and Carol. The estate tour is a must.
- Korbel Champagne Cellars, in Guerneville.
- Manzanita Creek Winery, in Healdsburg: Enjoy a
10% discount on any purchase of great wines when you mention Grape Escape Vacation Home.
- Outdoor Concerts in Healdsburg Plaza: Free concerts June through August every Tuesday evening
in the downtown Plaza in Healdsburg.
- Shopping in downtown
Healdsburg: Healdsburg has many charming, unusual shops, and several
wineries have tasting facilities in the downtown square.
- Antiquing: Healdsburg is known as an antique rich town, with many wonderful antique
stores located within walking distance of each other and the downtown plaza.
- Healdsburg Swimming Pool:
call for schedule, 707-433-1109.
- River's Edge Kayak & Canoe
Trips: 707-433-7247
- Healdsburg Veteran's Memorial
Beach:
summer swimming beach with lifeguards, barbeque/picnic area.
- Wine Country Bikes: bike rentals and
guided tours.
- Healdsburg Golf Club
- Windsor Golf Club
- Above the Wine Country Hot Air Balloons
- Healdsburg Museum
- Healdsburg Dog Parks
- Healdsburg Parks: Healdsburg has two wonderful parks, The Family Playground at Recreation Park on
University Ave.,
and Giorgi Park located on Terrace Blvd. It is just a five-minute drive to each from the Grape
Escape.
On the Coast (only 1 hour away):
- Bodega Bay: a small and very quaint town
on the coast. Its claim to fame
is the school used for filming Hitchcock's "The Birds". Some of the best dining can be found at
either Lucas Wharf Restaurant and Bar (707) 875-3522 or The Tides Restaurant (707) 875-3652.
- Seal watching at Goat Rock (CA State
Park):
year-round; approximately 200 seals eat and
sleep on a
stretch of beach located at Goat Rock beach. You can't get closer than 50 feet, but they are
lovely to see. Great stretch of beach for walking and picnicking. Take River Road to the Ocean,
take left fork toward Bodega Bay.
- River Road: a fun way to get to the Ocean from
here is to go down River Road, and stop
and look at some of the interesting things in the many small towns dotting this road which leads
to the Ocean: Guerneville,
Monte Rio, and Duncan Mills.
River's End restaurant in Jenner is one
of our favorites. For a long trip do River Road to Jenner,
to Gualala then back over the mountains
on Skaggs Springs Road. Plan a full day for this one.
Spas & Massage:
- Healdsburg: several nice spas; for extra luxury, try
The Spa at Hotel Healdsburg, 433-4747
or A Simple Touch, 433-6856.
- Right here at The Grape Escape: We have available several local massage therapists who will
come to the house. Book early to guarantee times, 431-7985.
- Calistoga: Approximately 25 minutes east. Absolutely fabulous spas. Every kind of
bath you could imagine. Calistoga Spa and Hot
Springs has 3 hot pools (and one cold kiddy pool) and is only
$15 for day use, 942-6269. You have to get there early, 'cause they sell out. If you order a
massage you automatically get to use their pools. Call
Calistoga Chamber of Commerce for more spa
options.
- Freestone: Osmosis is an enzyme bath and
massage center located in Freestone (about
1 hour from Healdsburg). It features fragrant enzyme baths set in a very tranquil Japanese
atmosphere, 823-8231.
Evening Entertainment:
Restaurants & Micro-Breweries:
Other Links of Interest:
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