As wine drinkers, we’ve been talking about visiting California wine country for a long time. As our 10 year anniversary approached we finally decided it was time to visit.
Planning a trip to wine country can be overwhelming. You have to decide what area to stay in, which wineries to do tastings at and which of the amazing restaurants to visit. Hopefully this guide will help you plan the perfect trip.
This two day itinerary is perfect for couples looking to relax, visit some great small wineries, and explore the area.
Heads up: Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book at no cost to you. We only link to stays and experiences we'd actually choose for ourselves.
Our Experience
After much research we ultimately decided to base camp near Healdsburg rather than Sonoma or Napa. We were not disappointed! We like a slower vibe and Healdsburg was perfect. The downtown area is super charming and it didn’t feel overrun with tourists. We visited in June, which is a popular time to visit but not as busy as late summer/early fall when wineries start harvesting.
When we were picking out which wineries to visit, our ultimate goal was to visit small wineries where we could have a more intimate experience and enjoy wines we can’t find at home. If this is your style then we’ve got some great options in the Dry Creek region in our itinerary below that check all the boxes.
Before You Go: Planning Basics
Getting there from San Francisco
Many travelers road trip up from San Francisco, which is exactly what we did. We rented a car from the airport so it was really easy to return before our flight home. It’s a really easy drive up the 101 and only takes about one and half hours depending on traffic. We opted to take the scenic route on the way there via Route 1 and make some stops along the way. We highly recommend it if you have the time to spare.
When to Visit
We visited in early June and it was a great time to visit. The weather was beautiful although definitely on the warmer side than it usually is during this time. It was busy even during the middle of the week, but didn’t feel overly crowded. It was still prior to peak summer crowds or harvest time crowds.
We definitely recommend making your wine tasting reservations in advance especially if you have specific wineries you want to visit or are visiting on a weekend.
Where to Stay in Healdsburg
Lodge at Healdsburg
We love this budget-friendly option which is hard to find in wine country. It’s located just 5 minutes away from downtown Healdsburg. The rooms are pretty generously sized with a small seating area and balconies. Some of the rooms have fireplaces as well. They also have an outdoor pool to relax in after a day of wine hopping.
Liora Estate
This hotel is a small boutique hotel that looks plucked right out of a beautiful European town. It’s the perfect for a romantic getaway. Think fireplaces, record players in your room, and luxurious bathrooms. It’s located in downtown Healdsburg so it is a super convenient place to stay.
Farmhouse Inn
Being our anniversary, we decided to splurge a little bit more on our lodging and we settled on the Farmhouse Inn. It is actually in Forestville, which is about 15 minutes away from Healdsburg. We wanted a more low-key stay with relaxing amenities such as a pool, hot tub, spa and of course a daily wine hour. The rooms are cozy and have a modern farmhouse vibe.
Your Two Day Itinerary to Healdsburg, CA
Day 1: Healdsburg Plaza and Dry Creek Valley Wine Tastings
Morning-Midday:
The town of Healdsburg is incredibly idyllic. Start your morning walking around and exploring Healdsburg Plaza. There are tons of shops to poke around in. Levin & Company Books and Copperfield’s Books are great local shops to find your next book while I particularly loved Bon Ton Studio, a local women’s boutique, and Falling for Dainty, a lovely little jewelry shop.
Midday-Afternoon:
Keep your afternoon open for wine tastings. We highly recommend Reeve Wines and Bella Winery. Reeve only does tastings rather than tours as they grow very little grapes on the property. They meticulously source their grapes from around the region and develop some fantastic wines. You’ll get tastings from 5 different wines. Reeve showcases Pinots, but they have a wonderful selection of other wines such as Chardonnays, Syrahs, Rose, and others.
Now we really loved this tasting as it included a pizza that was absolutely delicious.
Next, head over to Bella Vineyards & Wine Caves. This was our favorite wine we had on our trip. If you like Zinfandels then you should definitely add this winery to your trip. The wine was really unlike anything we have tasted, full-bodied and just plain good. We did one of their tours and loved it. Our guide led us up to the vineyards, through the wine production and into storage in their wine caves.
Evening:
For dinner, head to downtown Healdsburg at Lo & Behold. This place has a really cool atmosphere, we loved their outdoor space. Truly made you feel like you are on a tropical vacation. They have a really interesting menu with different types of cuisine from around the world and their cocktails were great as well.
Day 2: Armstrong Woods and Capo Creek Winery
Morning:
If you didn’t stop at Muir Woods on your way to wine country, you should check out Armstrong Woods. We personally decided to forgo the insane crowds at Muir Woods and opted for Armstrong Woods and have zero regrets. They both are very similar, so it really wasn’t a difficult decision. It’s located just 30 minutes outside of Healdsburg and is the perfect way to start your day.
It may not be as popular as Muir Woods, but it still gets busy. We recommend visiting first thing in the morning. It’s incredibly peaceful amongst the trees and it’s a very laid-back trail. There is a small parking lot that costs $10. When we started it wasn’t too busy, but by the time we left it was getting very crowded and people had to park on the street leading in.
Midday
If you are looking for a unique winery experience go to Capo Creek Winery. The owner, Mary Roy, does some truly fantastic food and wine pairings. This was the highlight of our trip. They offer several different food and wine tasting experiences.
We did Mary’s Table, which is the signature experience hosted by Mary herself. Over the course of 3 hours you’ll enjoy 6 delicious courses and the story of how Capo Creek came to be. You’ll find mostly Italian varietals here.
Evening:
For dinner, head to downtown Healdsburg at Journeyman. This place is only open until 7 pm, so keep that in mind. If you aren’t able to make it for dinner, it’s absolutely worth a stop for lunch if you need a lunch spot. It’s a butcher shop that serves some delicious sandwiches, burgers and pizzas.
Final Thoughts
We absolutely loved our time in Healdsburg. The town was inviting, wineries were superb and the food was delicious. We really can’t wait to return.
It can be daunting choosing wineries to visit as there are so many great options in the area, but we can’t recommend enough Bella, Reeve and Capo Creek. We found they were the perfect places to have unique experiences with small production wineries.
Happy travels!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 2 days enough in Healdsburg?
We actually spent 3 days in Healdsburg, but 2 days is plenty if you don’t mind filling your days with less time for relaxation. We thought 3 days was perfect in order to have a slower pace. If you are wanting to explore more of the valleys around Healdsburg then we’d suggest at least 3-4 days.
Do you need a car in Healdsburg?
You definitely don’t need to have a car. We wanted to road trip along Route 1 so we opted to rent a car, but it’s definitely not necessary. If you book your stay in a hotel in downtown Healdsburg, you can walk everywhere for shopping and meals. There are tons of transportation companies that you can book for visiting wineries and is recommended so you can imbibe as much as you want without worrying about driving. There are also lots of people who bike to the different wineries as another option!
How much does wine tasting cost?
It varies by winery, but we found that a tasting on average costs around $50. Then of course if you want to do any tours that will be an additional cost, but is well worth it to do at least one while you are here.
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