Healdsburg Plaza

The historic town square, surveyed by founder Harmon Heald in 1857, remains the center of downtown, ringed by restaurants and boutiques. One correction worth knowing: the long-running Healdsburg Farmers' Market, historically held in the parking lot behind Hotel Healdsburg near the Plaza, relocated in December 2025 to the new Foley Family Community Pavilion a few blocks away — older sources describing the market as taking place directly on the Plaza are now out of date.

Wine Tasting Downtown and Beyond

Healdsburg's own Chamber of Commerce directory lists around twenty tasting rooms within walking distance of downtown — a genuine car-free wine-tasting experience. The much larger regional wine scene, though, sits outside town: the Wine Road trade association representing Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, and Russian River Valley counts roughly 150-200 member wineries, the large majority requiring a short drive of 5-25 minutes from downtown. Treat "wine tasting in Healdsburg" and "touring the surrounding valleys" as related but distinct experiences.

Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach

Located within Healdsburg city limits on the Russian River, this county-operated park offers a genuine in-town swimming spot, with a seasonal dam creating a calm swimming area and lifeguards on duty roughly Memorial Day through Labor Day. Kayak and canoe rentals for the broader river-paddling scene are more concentrated further downstream around Guerneville, about 20-25 minutes away.

Healdsburg Museum

Housed in the town's historic Carnegie Library building downtown, the museum covers local and regional history. It's open Wednesday through Sunday.

A Landmark That's No Longer Open

SHED, a well-known food-culture market and event space that was once a marquee Healdsburg attraction, closed permanently at the end of 2018 following a difficult business year after regional wildfires — it still appears in older travel content as a current recommendation, but it should not be treated as an active attraction. Its former building on North Street reopened in 2022 as Little Saint, a plant-based restaurant, bakery, and gathering space from the team behind Healdsburg's Michelin-starred SingleThread.

Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley

Both are short drives rather than in-town destinations. Dry Creek Valley, roughly 8-15 minutes northwest, is known for Zinfandel. Alexander Valley, roughly 15-20 minutes northeast, is known primarily for Cabernet Sauvignon. They make a useful contrast for visitors deciding which direction to drive for a tasting day.

Bike Touring

Wine-country cycling is a genuinely established activity here, not just marketing — Healdsburg has real rental shops and guided-tour operators, and West Dry Creek Road is a widely recommended low-traffic route for a self-guided ride through vineyard country.

Traveller Disclaimer

Hours, market locations, and business openings/closures in this area change; confirm current details before planning a visit.