Healdsburg is one of those small towns that give Sonoma County its flavor. Located 15 miles north of Santa Rosa and 70 miles north of San Francisco astride highway 101, Healdsburg is the center of the northern county wine country. Vineyards largely surround the town with the renowned Alexander Valley to the northeast and the Dry Creek Valley to the northwest of town.

Founded in 1880, the town retains much of the charm of yesteryear. Healdsburg has seen less pressure to grow than many other areas in the County, at least partially due its location farther from San Francisco and Marin County to the south. The population stands at just under 10,000.

Laid out around a town square, there has been a commercial revitalization of boutiques and restaurants around the square that has attracted tourists to the town. Vineyards and wineries make up the other major source of employment.

Lake Sonoma just 5 miles away and the Russian River which winds its way around town provide popular local sources for water-related recreation.

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Schools

The Healdsburg Unified School District serves local children from K-12 in three elementary schools, one middle school and two high schools, one of which is devoted to vocational training.

Climate

With summer highs ranging from 70 to 95 and winter highs around typically 35-60, Healdsburg tends to be slightly warmer in the summer than some other Sonoma County communities. In the winter the above average rainfall makes it slightly wetter.

Housing

The housing stock is more diverse than the newer town of Windsor 8 miles south. Values are somewhat higher due to the tendency of the town fathers to limit growth plus the high desirability of living in Healdsburg. The median home price in the Healdsburg area as of July 2009 was $470,000 which reflects a number of rural estates in this area.

Additional Information

Contact the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce at 707-433-6935 or www.healdsburg.org.