Healdsburg is located in the heart of
three premium wine appellations and has
evolved from a sleepy agricultural town
into a chic, thriving community of about
12,000 residents and some 900 businesses.
Often compared to Tuscany for its visual
beauty and charm, Healdsburg radiates outward
from the town square - a park and plaza
highlighting 1800’s Spanish style
architecture.
In addition to providing a wonderful destination
for tourists, Healdsburg has unique shops
and wonderful restaurants along the square
that offer the 50,000 people who live in
the greater Healdsburg area sophisticated
shopping and dining.
There are weekly farmers markets in the
summer, plus art festivals, antique shows
and music events throughout the year. Around
the holidays, Healdsburg hosts a fabulous
tree-lighting ceremony in the Plaza. Support
and appreciation for arts, music and film
has fostered restoration of the historic
Raven Theater, the new Raven Film Center,
the Russian River Chamber Music Society,
and Healdsburg’s own Community Band
and Community Chorus. Healdsburg’s
downtown art galleries feature local artists
and photographers, while the Healdsburg
Art Council hosts an annual event each May.
Recreation abounds! The Russian River runs
passes by the east side of downtown Healdsburg
along the Veterans Memorial Beach where
people gather to picnic, swim, canoe and
kayak. Lake Sonoma is just northwest of
Healdsburg offering hiking and water sports
while the woods of Fitch Mountain lie to
the east. Families can enjoy the Plaza downtown,
the playground and public tennis courts
as well as a public 9 hole golf course at
Tayman Park Golf Course.
The Healdsburg Recreation Park offers lighted
baseball/softball, and football fields.
Try a walking tour of Healdsburg’s
historical sites or trees, consider a bicycle
ride through the vineyards, enjoy the thrill
of a hot-air balloon ride, or stay on the
ground and visit local farms participating
in the Farm Trails. In the late fall, tour
local artists’ studios as part of
the Sonoma Art Trails.
Renowned wine regions nearby include the
Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley,
and Dry Creek Valley offering dozens of
wine tasting and picnicing venues. Dining
alternatives vary from bistros and café
to world-class cuisine. Lodging choices
within Healdsburg range from a quiet, cozy
B&B to a luxury hotel on the historic
Healdsburg Plaza.
Weather
Healdsburg’s Mediterranean-style climate
is somewhat warmer and dryer than other
Sonoma communities. Summer temperatures
in the 70’s to 90’s are balanced
by cool evenings – perfect for agriculture
and especially vineyards. Healdsburg’s
mild winter temperatures tend to average
in the high 40’s to low 50’s,
but may drop below freezing about 20 days
per winter. Rainfall averages 40 inches
per year.
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here for current weather conditions.
Housing
Healdsburg and environs offer a wide variety
of housing options, ranging from classic
to modern, rural to apartment living. There
are modern subdivisions, affordable housing,
several adult or senior-oriented housing
projects and two mobile home parks. In outlying
areas, the upper end homes often have stunning
views of Healdsburg’s surrounding
hills and vineyards. The economy is diversified
across agriculture/wine, lumber, tourism,
and small businesses. Healdsburg is within
commute range to Santa Rosa.
History
Steeped in history, the Healdsburg area
was originally home to the Pomo Indians,
who hunted elk, deer and bear, and even
mountain lions. Healdsburg’s Fitch
Mountain is named after Henry Fitch, a former
sea captain who was awarded a land grant
in 1841. Mr. Fitch hired Cyrus Alexander
(formerly a trapper) to manage his ranch
and his namesake is the magnificent Alexander
Valley.
Harmon Heald, the towns’ namesake,
was an entrepreneur from Ohio who opened
a store and post office and eventually crafted
the towns’ streets and sold the resulting
lots for a price that today might buy a
lunch on the square. Healdsburg incorporated
in 1867, and became a stop on the railroad
by 1871. Learn more about Healdsburg’s
history at the Healdsburg Museum - a short
walk from the Plaza, located in the refurbished
former Healdsburg Carnegie Library building,
a landmark listed on the National Register
of Historic Places.
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