RETURN TO HAYDON STREET INN HOME PAGE. Published: August 26, 2005 - NEW YORK TIMES - 36 Hours. Peter DaSilva for The New York Times. Peek back into Healdsburg's agricultural history and town roots with a quick stop at the Healdsburg Museum. HEALDSBURG, in the heart of Sonoma County, dates to the mid-1800's, when it was a stopping point on a heavily traveled route from San Francisco to the gold mines of Northern California. Healdsburg was a farming community and in many ways still is, though prunes, which dominated the fruit crop until the 1970's, have now been supplanted by grapes. In fact, it is just a short drive from the center of town to three Sonoma County wine locales, the Alexander Valley, the Dry Creek Valley and the Russian River Valley, that are filled with wineries but lack the weekend crowds of neighboring Napa. Mid-September marks the start of crush, the grape harvest, so fall visitors will see bustling vineyards and undoubtedly smell fermenting grape juice. But these days Healdsburg is about more than wine. Over the last few years, new shops and high-end boutique hotels have made it a destination for all things culinary. The Healdsburg Farmers' Market takes over part of a parking lot a short walk from the town plaza at North and Vine Streets. Friday 8 p.m. 1) Garden Grazing. Most winery tasting rooms close their doors around 5 p.m., so a lot of people dine early in Healdsburg. But Barndiva (231 Center Street, 707-431-0100) stays busy until after midnight. On weekend nights, tourists, locals and chefs just off their shifts gather in the spacious garden behind the big red barn that houses the restaurant. Join them and grab a drink. In a wine-centric town, Barndiva has a surprisingly playful cocktail list. On the Beach with Fidel is a passion fruit and lemon melange with two types of rum ($12), and Steamy Windows marries cilantro, ginger, pineapple juice and vodka ($10). The dinner menu has many small plates meant to be shared. Split the tuna poke ($16), crispy duck salad served over watercress ($9) and seared scallops with couscous-and-tomato jam ($14), and don't forget to try one of the artisanal cheese platters (starting at $7) that can be ordered with assorted charcuterie (starting at $18). Saturday 9:30 a.m. 2) Harvest Time. On Saturday mornings through November, the Healdsburg Farmers' Market (707-431-1956) takes over part of a parking lot a short walk from the town plaza at North and Vine Streets. The bounty will have you wishing you had access to a kitchen, but there are still plenty of treats you can pack to take home. Tierra Vegetables has been a staple at the market for 25 years, and in addition to its seasonal produce, sells several varieties of chili jam that can add punch to an appetizer of crackers and cream cheese. Dry Creek Peach Produce has drip-down-your-chin white peaches that it also sells to local restaurants, including Cyrus (29 North Street, 707-433-3311), which is being praised as the French Laundry of Sonoma County. Sonoma Toffee Works' Hazelnut Delight with roasted hazelnuts and white chocolate ($8 for a small bag) makes a great gift - if you can keep yourself from eating it before you return home. 12:30 p.m. 3) Vine and Dine. Stop by the Oakville Grocery (124 Matheson Street, 707-433-3200), to pick up all the accouterments for lunch - made-to-order sandwiches, prepared salads, baguettes and cheeses. Then make the 10-minute drive to Dutcher Crossing Winery (8533 Dry Creek Road, 707-431-2700), a new arrival to the Dry Creek Valley. More than likely, one of the owners, Bruce Nevins or Jim Stevens (who together brought Perrier to North America in the late 70's), will be there to pour the chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, zinfandel and cabernet sauvignon ($5 to taste all wines) and then invite you to hang out at the picnic area. An open breezeway frames the rolling hills that stretch beyond the vineyard's property, and you can plant yourself at a picnic table right next to the vines to take in the view. 3:30 p.m. 4) A Vintage Look. Peek back into Healdsburg's agricultural history and town roots, with a quick stop at the Healdsburg Museum (221 Matheson Street, 707-431-3325). Pick up a Historic Homes of Healdsburg guide ($7.50) for your own walking tour of the Greek Revival homes that dot the town and late-19th-century Queen Annes, many with well-maintained gardens, that radiate off the plaza along Matheson Street. 5 p.m. 5) A Local Nip. With the wineries closing for the evening, the best place for a drink before dinner is the Russian River Wine Company (132 Plaza Street, 707-433-0490), a small but airy wine shop with a tasting bar and a few tables tucked to the side. It focuses on small producers, many of which lack their own tasting facilities. On Saturday afternoons, the tastings often feature area wine makers pouring their creations. 8 p.m. 6) Invader Zin. You know where your food is coming from at Zin Restaurant Wine Bar (344 Center Street, 707-473-0946) since many purveyors' names dot the menu, and some of what you're eating has been pulled straight from the restaurant's own garden. Start with the beer-battered green beans ($7.25), a crispy mountain of vegetables you won't think you'll ever get through. (You will.) The grilled peach salad ($9.25) is served with a zinfandel vinaigrette and goat cheese from Laura Chenel (she was at the forefront of artisanal cheesemaking in the United States), and the juicy chicken breast with local honey mustard and an ancho chile glaze is served with wild rice pilaf and a squash (from Zin's garden) souffle ($16.25). 10 p.m. 7) Get Your Hops On. After a day of wine tasting, a nice way to chill out is to sit on the covered deck of the Bear Republic Brewing Company (345 Healdsburg Avenue, 707-431-7258) with one of the local brewery's beers. Try a pint of Racer 5 India Pale Ale ($3.75) or go for a light Wine Country Wheat, a hefeweizen served with a lemon ($3.75). 9 a.m. 8) Creamery Creations. A visit to Healdsburg isn't complete without a visit to the Downtown Bakery Creamery (308A Center Street, 707-431-2719) which has been a community staple since 1987 and is noted for using all-local dairy products and organic flour. You'll be tempted by the fresh-baked croissants and scones, but you won't be sorry if you choose the extraordinarily sweet sticky bun ($1.75). Some of what you're eating at Zin Restaurant Wine Bar has been pulled straight from the restaurant's own garden. The Plaza Arts Center features the work of local artists. 10:30 a.m. 9) Tasting Time. Plaza Farms (106 Matheson Street, 707-433-2345) opened in June featuring the best of locally produced olive oil, cheeses, teas, chocolate, produce and wine, all of it available for tasting. Try the extra-virgin olive oil made by DaVero, a Healdsburg company, and pick up a bottle of Meyer Lemon Olive Oil ($24). Ask for samples of Bellwether Farms' sheep's-milk cheeses, and you can finish them off with a touch of bittersweet chocolate from Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker. 11:30 a.m. 10) Art Walk. There are 14 art galleries within two blocks of the Healdsburg Plaza. The Plaza Arts Center (130 Plaza Street, 707-431-1970) features the work of local artists. There is a mix of paintings, sculptures and photographs, including infrared black-and-white landscape shots by Matthew Piper that have an almost surreal feel. Levin Company (306 Center Street, 707-433-1118) is a small bookstore with an artist-owned gallery upstairs - called Upstairs Art Gallery - where the person working the desk is one of the creative minds behind the art adorning the walls. Even in the heart of wine country, it isn't just about the grapes. Healdsburg is 70 miles north of San Francisco. Oakland's airport is more convenient than San Francisco's. Take Highway 101 North and exit at Central Healdsburg. Les Mars Hotel (27 North Street, 877-431-1700) opened in March and has 16 rooms decorated with 18th- and 19th-century European antiques. Rates are $495 to...

Charm permeates this cozy French boudoir with queen, pillow-top bed, complete with newly remodeled marble walk-in shower in its private bath. The beautifully preserved armoire is one the oldest pieces in the house, dating back to the mid-nineteenth century. $175 to view availability and request a reservation for this room. Gift Certificates Available. Two-night minimum may apply. Check In Time: 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. If these times are not convenient, please make special arrangements in advance. Call us at (707) 433-5228. Check Out Time: 11:00 a.m. Breakfast Breakfast is served at 9:00 a.m. Enjoy a creative three-course breakfast made from scratch each morning. Light refreshments are available every afternoon and we host a wine hour in the parlor or outside on our lovely patio every evening from 6:00 - 7:00 pm. Deposits To secure your reservation, payment of the first night is required at the time booking is made, or within five days if a check is to be mailed. Cancellations If you need to cancel or change your stay, please call us at least 14 days prior to your arrival date. This provides us with enough time to hopefully re-sell your room. There is a $20 cancellation fee. If you need to cancel or change within the 14 day period, you are responsible for the entire stay. However, we will make every attempt to re-rent your room. Guests are raving about the new mattresses recently installed with memory foam pillow tops, for a great night's sleep! European rainfall showerheads. Please, no smoking in the Inn. All rooms are air-conditioned. Complimentary wireless internet access. Each room has luxurious spa robes, hair dryers, and bottled water. Iron and ironing board available upon request. Complimentary wine and snacks. Off-street parking is available. $25 per night charge for third person in room. Room will accommodate in-room massage. We accept VISA, MasterCard, and Discover Card.

More About Healdsburg. Cena Luna Restaurant. Jimtown Store Deli. Lifecycle Adventures. Healdsburg Area Wine Tours. Relish Culinary School. Rivers Edge Kayak and Canoe. Russian River Rose Co. Russian River Wine Road. Charles Schulz Museum. Tayman Park Golf Course. Green Valley Appellation. Karen Brown Travel Guides. Dutcher Crossing Winery. Lambert Bridge Winery. Michel-Schlumberger Winery. Mill Creek Vineyards. Pedroncelli Winery Vineyards. Raymond Burr Vineyards. Sapphire Hill Vineyards. Seghesio Family Vineyards. Some of our photos by. WINE COUNTRY CALENDAR of EVENTS. Healdsburg Jazz Festival. June 6-7: Alexander Valley Taste of the Valley. Russian River Blues Festival. June 21: Lavender Day at the Farmers' Market. July 4: Old Fashioned Fireworks at the High School Football Field. July 5 and 6: Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic. July 6: Antique Fair on the Plaza, 9 am - 4 pm. July 19: 22nd Annual Healdsburg Century Bike Ride. July 19: Healdsburg Farmers' Market 30th Birthday. August 16: Annual Street Dance (benefits Boys and Girls Club), 6-11 pm. August 16: Healdsburg Farmers' Market Zucchini Festival. August 31: Antique Fair on the Plaza, 9 am - 4pm. September 13: Beer on the Plaza Festival, 3-7 pm. October 3-5: Sonoma County Harvest Fair. Octobe3r 25: Wine Country Half Marathon. October 25: Healdsburg Farmers' Market Pumpkin Festival. October 26: Howl-O-Ween Parade (Benefits the Animal Shelter). A Wine and Food Affair. November 28: Downtown Holiday Party - 5-9 pm. November 30: Tree Lighting Ceremony, 5 pm. December 7: Santa's Red Ribbon Foot Parade, Noon. December 7: Victorian Inn Tour, 2-5 pm. December 7-8: Healdsburg Community Chorus Holiday Concert. Ongoing at Healdsburg Museum - Historic Exhibits Ongoing Rotating Art Exhibits - Everett Ridge, Lambert Bridge, Christie Vineyard, Huntington Wineries and Palette Art Cafe. Rodney Strong Concert Series. Jazz at Palette Art Cafe on Thursday evenings. Jazz at Hotel Healdsburg on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evenings. In Santa Rosa: Exhibits at Charles Schulz and Luther Burbank Museums. March-Sept.: View Harbor Seals at Goat Rock State Beach May-Nov: Farmers Market-Every Saturday at North and Vine Street, 9 am-Noon. June-August: Tuesday in the Plaza Farmers Market - 4-8pm Daily by Appointment - Michel-Schlumberger Vineyard Winery Tour. Thurs.-Sat. by Appointment - Luncheon Series at Michel-Schlumberger. Mon.-Sat. by Appointment - Jordan Winery Tour

 Guest rooms have air conditioning
 Credit cards accepted
 Hairdryer
 Heating
 Smoke-free guest rooms
 Parking lot
 Private park, garden, courtyard
 Quiet surroundings
 Private/Ensuite bathroom
 Phones in rooms
 TV sets in rooms
 Patio, summer terrace