Why Healdsburg, CA, is A Perfect Halloween Destination
It’s the third time I’ve returned to Healdsburg for a wine country getaway, and I can’t shake the thought that this adorable town of Sonoma County has starred in a cute Hallmark type of Christmas movie before. Picnic-goers are filling up the town square for a free summer concert, and the area is encircled with chic boutiques, wine-tasting rooms and notable bars and restaurants.
The scene sparks nostalgia, so I consulted Google: “What movies has Healdsburg starred in?” I was kind of correct.
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Healdsburg, CA: A Halloweentown in Wine Country
I, indeed, had seen Healdsburg on the big screen before, but it was in the 1996 scary movie “Scream” — not exactly a formulaic storyline about, say, a holiday romance involving a Christmas tree farmer and a wine shop owner. It’s even better (for us Halloween lovers, at least): The idyllic Spanish-style plaza and fountain is where the teens from “Scream” gathered to talk about the Ghostface killer.
Healdsburg and the surrounding picture-perfect Sonoma County are the surprising backdrop for some famous scary movies. Fright master Alfred Hitchcock chose Bodega Bay for the eerie backdrop of “The Birds.” Wes Craven’s cult horror franchise “Scream” had filming locations spread throughout Sonoma County, including the Sonoma Community Center that served as Woodsboro High School in addition to the scenes shot here in this once-sleepy wine town.
Healdsburg makes for a perfect Halloweentown. The farmers market holds an annual pumpkin festival, and those who carve and paint their gourds can put wheels on them to roll them around on display, eliciting oohs and ahhs. Also, Jordan Vineyard and Winery, a vine-covered chateau that exudes old-world French elegance, is known for its exclusive, invite-only Halloween parties. But this year, the winery is opening up its “haunted chateau” to the public with a spooky tour and a tasting menu with seasonal pairings.
While the post-harvest spooky season is a fun time to visit Healdsburg, this wine-country destination is truly a year-round destination for culinary enthusiasts, wine lovers and those who enjoy their wine-country getaways spiked with some outdoor activities, like renting a bike to pedal through the hilly vineyards or kayaking along the Russian River.
Here are some more details to help you fill out an itinerary in Healdsburg.
Where to Stay in Healdsburg, CA
Healdsburg has a fantastic hotel scene, with a range of hotels at different price points.
Indulge with a five-star stay among rolling vineyards at the luxury Montage Healdsburg, where rooms are perched like individual villas throughout the hilly estate. Renowned winemaker Jesse Katz oversees the property’s 15 acres of vines.
Hotel options downtown include the 16-room Hotel Les Mars, a fancy French hotel with four-post beds, soaking tubs, fireplaces in rooms and a fun events calendar that includes events like tarot on the rooftop to sync up with full moons. In the center of it all, Harmon Guest House is an art-filled boutique hotel with a rooftop restaurant that comes with views of Fitch Mountain (pop in on a Monday for $1 oysters).
At Hotel Trio, a robot concierge named Rosé is ready and available to deliver snacks, towels and the like to your room. The hotel also has a shuttle to wineries and downtown, as well as a spacious pool.
In 2025, wine country will welcome a new arrival: Appellation Healdsburg, a culinary-focused hotel co-founded by celeb chef Charlie Palmer. The 108-room hotel will have culinary experiences, including demonstrations, local food and wine excursions and pantries on every guest floor with a curated selection of cookbooks and regional artisan products.
Where to Eat and Drink in Healdsburg, CA
With deep agricultural roots, it’s no surprise that the culinary scene in Healdsburg is downright delectable.
Plan ahead for a reservation at SingleThread, a Japanese farm-to-table style restaurant with three Michelin stars, and that can be credited for giving momentum to Healdsburg’s noteworthy culinary scene. The owners’ Dry Creek Valley farm provides vegetables, fruits and herbs for SingleThread’s 10-course tasting menu. The restaurant also has a five-room inn attached, where guests can order hot pot room service.
Dine outdoors at Barndiva, a beloved spot for special meals that sources from local farms to create dishes like a salmon tartare with a green tomato agua chile. Menus rotate with the seasons, and the bar looks like a flower shop bedecked with local herbs, garnishes and bouquets. Save room for a seasonal sorbet for dessert.
At Molti Amici, play bocce ball while you wait for your pizza crust to blister properly. Sourdough focaccia, housemade pastas and spritzes are all on the menu. Pop into what’s arguably Sonoma County’s coolest bathroom and snap a photo with the arty wallpaper featuring Bay Area rappers’ portraits.
The Matheson is a newish arrival. Located right on the town square, the menu is divided into “land” and “sea” with pasta specialties, garden goodies, snacks and caviar. Upstairs, Roof 106 serves a more casual menu, as well as cocktails and sweet treats like Dole Whip. The views are primo, overlooking the town square.
Where To Taste Wine in Healdsburg, CA
Wine lovers who want a taste of Sonoma County should zero in on Healdsburg because it’s located at the convergence of three different wine regions: Dry Creek, Russian River and Alexander Valley. That means you can get a taste of fantastic chardonnays, zinfandels and pinot noirs all in one wine country trip.
More than five dozen wineries are located in and around Healdsburg, so oenophiles have their pick. Some top wineries to visit include Jordan Winery & Vineyard (check the calendar for pizza cooking classes and “Paris on the Terrace” meals) and Aperture Cellars for Bordeaux-style wines from father-son duo Andy and Jesse Katz, who spent years photographing vineyards and now are making acclaimed wines. Enjoy an al fresco wine and olive oil tasting at Davero Farms & Winery, which specializes in Italian varietals.
Wine lovers can also pop into a couple dozen tasting rooms in Healdsburg’s downtown and surrounding areas to get acquainted with the county’s wines. A great place to start is Lioco, where wines are produced at a cooperative with fruit sourced from California’s most notable regions, including Sonoma, Mendocino, Santa Cruz, Yolo and Santa Barbara.