My husband and I are heading to Healdsburg for three days the last weekend in April. We aren't really into wine-tasting itself, but will probably visit a few wineries that look like they have beautiful grounds or interesting sites. It looks like Ferrari C (forget the name!) has grounds that are worth visiting, for example. I know that wineries are what this area is known for.
What we really love to do is hike or do country walks. Most of the previous threads have to do with wineries. Does anyone have suggestions for hiking in the area (or outdoorsy sightseeing)? We will probably visit Armstrong Redwoods again (but will have just been to the Klamath area for hiking in the redwoods there; this is the end of a longer trip).
We live in the California Bay Area but are not all that familiar with Healdsburg.
Is it too early go go kayaking on the Russian River? We went a number of years ago and loved it, but not this early in the year.
Thanks for any suggestions.
HEALDSBURG - Outdoorsy activities non-wine tasting
Recent Activity
View all United States activity »
- 1 Less commercial beach?
- 2 Trip Itinerary Advice Needed - 1wk Yellowstone & Tetons
- 3 French Broad Market in Ashville, NC
- 4 Rehoboth to Wilmington to Cape May - scenic route suggestions please
- 5 3 week Holiday Late December/January
- 6 J-ville airport ground transportation
- 7 Manzanita Or restaurants
- 8 Pine Barrens- where to stay ?
- 9 Hudson Valley to Stockbridge, MA/Berkshires
- 10 Carmel, California where to stay??
- 11 East coast tour - Part3: Florida
- 12 Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park opens today
- 13 stay near newark or nyc
- 14 New York City Parking
- 15 JFK to Upper West Side by subway
- 16 Can You Typically See Mt St Helens on the train from Seattle to Portland?
- 17 South Tahoe around July 4 - GTG?
- 18 Maine - July 5th to July 14
- 19 Priceline, WARNING
- 20 Washington Wineries
- 21 Buy now or wait . . . airfare to Santa Barbara in late July?
- 22 Best place for rafting: Moab, Taos or Durango?
- 23 Driving from Seattle to San Fran
- 24
Hill-Crest "Museum"
- 25
1st time to Kauai! Will not be the last!



Have canoed down the Russian River (can almost lead to a breakup) - but in the summer. Whether it's too early or not is probably dependent on the weather.
Walking around the little town of Sonoma - the Square - is also fun, as is wandering around Calistoga - where you might take a mud bath.
You might contact these guys to see about "running" the river in April - http://www.riversedgekayakandcanoe.com/
And this one also looks great - but it's a little further away:
http://www.burkescanoetrips.com/
Healdsburg is a semi-quaint small town you can enjoy walking around, although that still isn't really that exciting or unique and doesn't take that long.
You could go for a walk in that petrified forest park over near Calistoga http://www.petrifiedforest.org/
I think the closest good hiking is at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, only about 10 miles away. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=450
Christina,
Petrified forest! I had forgotten about that and will check it out. Just what we're looking for. Went many years ago but worth a trip back.
Tomsd,
Thanks for the kayaking links; will check them out. Have to laugh about the Calistoga mud bath...took a couples one about 20 years ago and we had a male attendant. Many giggles at having this cute young guy hosing mud off my naked body (thankfully I was that much younger)!
rent a bike and tour the great area around Healdsburg...