I first became aware of California because of Disneyland. I was 6 and those “Wonderful World of Disney” specials were broadcasted with great fanfare. (In hindsight, those shows were really two-hour commercials for Disneyland.)
When I grew older, I learned of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Alcatraz Island, Universal Studios, the Golden Gate Bridge, Rodeo Drive and all the other big city stuff.
It wasn’t until I was in college that I learned of small towns, the Central Coast, and the wilderness that dominate most of the state. After experiencing the beauty and hospitality of these small towns first hand, I became fascinated and yearned to discover/visit more of them.
Healdsburg is a small town that gives off big city vibes. Great food, great wine and lots of art galleries. The historic plaza is located on Center Street and if you find a parking spot around here, you can pretty much walk everywhere you need to go from there.
Here are some places you might want to visit while you're here...
Noble Folk Ice Cream & Pie Bar
116 Matheson Street, Healdsburg CA 95448
Ice cream that are bursting with flavors. This is probably due to their practice of making small batches using local and seasonal ingredients, which means the fruits and other ingredients are at its prime. Noble Folk has "basic" flavors like chocolate and strawberry, which are anything but basic by the way. AND they have non-traditional flavors like Black Sesame Coconut or Almond Cardamom too! The allergy-afflicted eaters need not suffer sub-par ice cream as their vegan or nut free options are also very good.
As if that wasn't enough, Noble Folk has crusty, buttery pies filled with whatever is in season.
But wait, there's more! They also feature products by local artists and vendors such as handmade ceramic mugs and hand lotion.
Oakville Grocery
124 Matheson St, Healdsburg CA 95448
A local institution, Oakville Grocery is a great place to grab locally sourced and/or handcrafted foods. You can either eat your meal here, or put together a basket of goodies for a pic-a-nic, including wine, coffee and pastries! I've been here about half-a-dozen times and the selections in the deli vary depending on the season and what's available.
Moustache Baked Goods
381 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg CA 95448
Noble Ice Cream's elder sibling, this bake shop is also a cafe that serves Four Barrel Coffee.
Taste of Tea
109 North St, Healdsburg CA 95448
Not the usual shi-shi, pinkie-up, scones-and-clotted-cream type of tea house. Taste of Tea focuses on serving great tea more than serving up a good photo op.
They have a collection of gadgets and contraptions on different ways to steep your tea, as practiced in various countries not-America. You can find them on display on the counter/bar. The best part is that these equipment are not just for display: they are put to use.
Taste of Tea's main purpose is to use tea for beauty treatments. They actually supply the local spas their potent specialty teas to use in various solutions, soaks and masks to rejuvenate, refresh, brighten and reduce inflammation. They offer spa these services on site.
Flying Goat Coffee
324 Center St, Healdsburg CA 95448
This airy cafe with a spacious work space for their baristas seem to be a local favorite with customers with a wide range of age and styles, from children to senior citizens from a punk-styled chick to a suit-wearing dude.
SingleThread Farm - Restaurant & Inn
131 North St, Healdsburg CA 95448
I have too much to say about this must-visit place so it has its own post. Suffice it to say, it is a must-visit. Read it here.
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