The Weekender: Healdsburg, CA

by Natasha Wolff | June 22, 2018 10:30 am

As if Sonoma as a whole weren’t scenic enough, there just so happens to be a little pocket of the country’s favorite wine destination that outshines its cohabitants in more ways than one. Healdsburg combines the charm of a small town, locally-sourced food and drink around every corner, and of course, some of the best wineries the region has to offer, all in a concentrated and super manageable area. It’s almost too easy to fill 72 hours in Healdsburg — but we’re always up to the challenge.

Ferrari Carano

Friday Morning: Touch down at San Francisco (SFO) and take a car to Healdsburg. It’s approximately an hour and a half drive, but it’s nothing if not breathtaking along the way.

Friday Afternoon: Check in at Hotel Healdsburg[1]. After exploring the strikingly airy modern structure and settling into your room, freshen up and head a few blocks over for a light, healthy (and aesthetically pleasing) lunch at Healdsburg SHED[2] — you’ll likely want to take some time afterward to browse the wide selection of local products and kitchen accessories. If you’re thinking of picking up some souvenirs, this isn’t a bad place to start.

From there, take the long way back to the hotel and window shop (or actually shop) around the main drag until dinnertime calls.

Friday Evening: Walk over to the Hotel Les Mars, a stunning French-inspired Relais & Châteaux property with some of the most luxurious accommodations in town. Get a taste of the property by exploring the ground floor before sitting down to a quiet dinner at Chalkboard[3], just off of the lobby.

Hotel Les Mars

Saturday Morning: A copious carb-forward breakfast awaits at Costeaux French Bakery[4]. Fuel up — you’ll need it for this afternoon’s bike tour. Enter Sip ‘N Cycle[5], the perfect way to experience a handful of the region’s top wineries in one shot while getting a bit of cardio in to offset all of the wine intake. The tour culminates in a well-deserved picnic lunch. Photo opps abound.

Saturday Evening: After a quick disco nap back at the hotel (highly necessary following the tour), stroll down the street for dinner at Spoonbar[6] at the h2hotel[7]. Chef Matthew D’Ambrosi’s seafood prowess will prove unforgettable.

Trattore

Sunday Morning/Afternoon: Rise and shine for one last wine-soaked hurrah in the form of an entire day of tasting indulgence — kick things off at Trattore[8] for a crash course in artisanal American olive oil followed by lunch al fresco at Jordan Winery[9]. In part two of this tasting marathon, make your way to the Dry Creek Valley for two more must-see stops: Ferrari Carano and Cast Wines. The former will showcase decades of family-owned craft while the latter demonstrates a younger, more modern facet of Healdsburg’s wine scene, and neither one disappoints.

Jordan Winery

On your way out of Healdsburg, be sure to pay a visit to the newly-opened Journeyman Meat Company, where homemade charcuterie beckons (and also serves as a great plane snack). Bid farewell to this charming little town and hop in a car for the ride back to the airport.

All photos by: Erik Delanoy

Source URL: https://dujour.com/life/weekend-travel-guide-healdsburg-california/