Experience the best of Healdsburg

Healdsburg centres on a tree-shaded plaza laid out in the 1850s, now lined with tasting rooms, restaurants and galleries, and takes its name from the settler Harmon Heald. The Russian River runs along its edge, with beaches for swimming and canoeing in summer. The town lies where three wine areas meet: the Russian River Valley, known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Dry Creek Valley, noted for Zinfandel, and Alexander Valley, for Cabernet.

Hills of oak and vines surround the town. To the west the Sonoma coast is a drive away, Armstrong Redwoods near Guerneville has giant coast redwoods, and Lake Sonoma offers swimming and boating in summer. Santa Rosa lies to the south, and Napa is over the hills to the east.

Olive oil, cheese, heirloom tomatoes, peaches and fresh bread come from small farms around the valleys, and restaurants cook with them. The grape harvest in September and October, when the vineyards turn gold, is the liveliest season.