A weekend in Healdsburg, CA

Mary and I have stayed in Healdsburg a couple of times in the last year and are going back in September.  There are three good reasons to go there – wine, food, and the scenery.  I have a few suggestions for wine and food in this post, as well as some great spots to make a photo.  Here they are:

We like to base out of Healdsburg because of the nice town square that has several hotels, many fine restaurants, and plenty of places to have a wine taste.  We like to drive north on West Dry Creek Road and Dry Creek road up to Sonoma Lake.  On the way back, cross CA 101 and take River Road south back to Healdsburg.  There will plenty of things to see and photograph.

Our favorite barn in the this part of the valley is near Twomey on Westside Road.

Here is our favorite wine itinerary:

Start north in Geyserville and go to Silver Oak and then Francis Ford Coppola (pay the extra money to use the reserve bar upstairs.  Less crowded and better wine).  On your way back to Healdsburg, stop at Ridge on Lytton Springs Road.  Back in town try Segesio.  Finally, on Westside Road, check out the view at Gary Farrell and Twomey.  Of course, there are plenty other wineries and tasting rooms in town.

We would also recommend Dry Creek General Store for lunch and Willi’s Sea Food, Dry Creek Kitchen, and Chalkboard for dinner.  Of course, there are many other restaurant resources, but we have had great meals at all of these places.

If you take Westside Road west, it will eventually turn into River Road, which turns into CA 116, you will end up on the Sonoma Coast in about an hour.  Take at look at this blog post for what you might see.

To see more of (and buy) our photos, please go to www.pamphotography.com.