Running Water/Wine 1/2 Marathon-stay in Healdsburg after race-suggestions?
 

My husband and I are running the Water to Wine 1/2 marathon in Healdsburg in August. We would like to stay in Healdsburg for our last 2 nighst in California after the race. We have nothing booked yet so I am not sure what will be available. I realize Healdsburg is pricey. We would like to just hangout and explore the area until we leave, that gives us Sunday to Tuesday. My husband is a wine lover and I, not so much :) I would love some itinerary suggestions as well. We obviouysly do not have much time and neither of us have been to this area before (we are coming from Texas). We are open to staying in one of the other nearby towns, just picked Healdsburg because it looks like such a neat little town. I guess our base could be anywhere nearby.

Thanks!
puglover72

I have no suggestions of places to stay, just wanted to confirm that Healdsburg is in fact a "neat little town". It's a good place to chill, take some drives (the drive over to Occidential through Dry Creek is gorgeous), eat (excellent restaurants abound), people-watch, shop, etc.

Where are you flying home from?

Sonoma is a eat little town too, short drive. Like Healdsburg restaurants , interesting shops , art galleries etc, we always picnic in the town square after the cheese shop and the French bread bakery.

A ride through the Alexander Valley or Dry Creek Valley wouldn't disappoint with wineries along the way. Visit the Oakville Grocery Store for gourmet picnic goodies or lunch.

Madrona Manor in Healdsburg has good food but it is expensive. The Girl and The Fig in Sonoma is very popular.

If it is hot you can head for the coast, also a short drive from Healdsburg or Sonoma. It is always cool in Bodega Bay or Jenner.

Check out the Camillia Inn B & B.
We have stayed there and loved it. Actually, are going back in Sept. The breakfast is the best ever, wine and cheese in the evening and and snacks in the middle. The pillows were fabolous and they give you free vouchers for some of the wineries. Also, the refrig. Is available for you to store drinks. It is a beautiful old house. use google!

Actually, the drive from Healdsburg to Sonoma is almost an hour.

Healdsburg is not an inexpensive town, both in hotels and restaurants. Celebrity chefs have arrived.

For a perspective on the area, try www.sonoma.com

It's got a pretty detailed listing of hotels and restaurants.

Yes I am rethinking Healdsburg now. It dawned on me that we have a hotel near the Sonoma airport for the night before the marathon but were then going to book something in Healdsburg for our last 2 nights. My husband has some points at Hampton Inn and Suites so we were using our free room for the night before the race. But since most places do not have check-in until late afternoon, we would have no place to go after the marathon and would be all sweaty :( So now I am rethinking it. Maybe another little town near Healdsburg but not too far from the start of the marathon. The start is at Lake Sonoma, we have to be at the Visitor's Center for check-in. Then we finish at the Alderbrook Winery. We plan on driving around a lot and exploring so we really just need a place for our base. We only have 2 days before we head home. I know I want to visit the Armstrong Redwood State Park, visit a couple of wineries. Eat! I wouldn't mind some swimming somewhere.

Can anyone suggest anohter town to look for lodging that would make a good base? What about Occidental or Guerneville?

Thanks!

There are quite a few great little places for rent in that area on vrbo.com. Lake Sonoma is at the end of Dry Creek Road, just a bit outside of Healdsburg. Check out www.wineroad.com for an excellent interactive map of wineries, places to stay and restaurants in the area. I think the cheapest accommodation is the Dry Creek Best Western. It's actually quite nice. B&Bs can get pretty pricey.

Healdsburg is a great base because it is right off Highway 101, plus wineries radiate out from it in all directions. Its downtown plaza is charming. Yet the town is large enough to offer all the conveniences you might need, such as shops, supermarkets, pharmacies, and a range of restaurants than span from the Michelin-star Cyrus to the more downscale typical fast-food joints.

Grasshopper gives a good suggestion to check VRBO.

I'm sure you've already found some accommodations for the Water to Wine 1/2 marathon, but we host a very simple, affordable B&B option at AirBnB for only $75/night (including AirBnB fees!). It's not too late to book, and we'd be happy to host you for a few days after the run. Come check it out: http://bit.ly/13Iqkx8

I would certainly check out VRBO.. Vacation rentals by owner. Just know that anything within the city limits of Hbg. is probably an illegal rental and you could have to move in the middle of the night. www.vrbo.com/healdsburg .. BTW... Cyrus is closed, but there are many other wonderful restaurants in several price ranges.