One place to stop for refreshments and a great viewing of all the people who frequent the area is the Dry Creek General Store located at 3495 Dry Creek Road. The food and sandwiches are great and you can pick up lots of different types of  drinks. The staff there is friendly and helpful. Also, don’t miss the exceptional bar to the left of the store. The walls are lined with antelope and deer heads and  olden times relics.

The next fantastic spot to visit is the Ferrari-Carano Winery(8761 Dry Creek Road) which features the best garden setting of the eniire valley. You feel as if you are entering an Italian Villa overlooking the valley. Don’t miss the fantastic private garden similar to the Japanese Garden in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. This place is heavenly and should not be missed. In addition they serve delicious wines and it the winery has many  types of wines to taste.

Continue on Dry Creek up to the Lake Sonoma where you can cross the bridge onto Rockpile Road located on the otherside of the lake. It affords a terrific view and is maybe five more miles past the Brandt Memorial Building where you can stop and learn about the history this dam.

Once you return back towards the Dry Creek Store, turn right onto Lambert Bridge Road and cross over to West Dry Creek Road which features even more lovely wineries where you can taste their wines. I am especially fond of the Bella Winery which is located to the right at the end of the road. Here you can wine taste inside their underground cave.

Once you have enjoyed the Bella Winery, return and follow the meandering West  Dry Creek Road where you will find numerous wineries. The most famous for Pinot is the small Rochiola winery located at 6192 Westside road. Dry Creek Road deadends into Westside Road and be sure and turn right onto Westside Road and drive along this scenic and delightful road lined with vineyards featuring pinot grapes. Rochiola is world famous for its Pinot Noir and has won more awards than anyone. Usually you can only buy one bottle of the Pinot Noir, however, everyone in your party can buy one. It is worth the drive.

After visiting Rochioli, return to Healdsburg to enjoy a stroll around the town square. Often times, there is music performed in the center of the square and you can enjoy a great dinner at the numerous restaurants within two blocks walking distance from the center of town.  One that I love is Ravenous which is located at 420 Center Street, just a short walk north on Center from the square. It also has a smaller location next the the big theatre in town at 117 North Street. Another one of my favorites is not to be missed is Bistro Ralph, 109 Plaza.

If you need any other recommendations, just call me on my cell phone 707 495-4356. I am happy to help you enjoy this paradise.