PARKS

Parks in Healdsburg:

There are several parks in town with play equipment. The closest park is at the Villa Chanticleer. The playground is located in the lower parking lot behind the Villa. There is also a dog park for larger dogs.
However, there are bigger parks with more equipment in town.

Badger Park is off of South Fitch Mountain Rd. off Heron Dr. It has a fenced in playground, picnic tables, trails to the river, playing fields surrounded by a walking pathway, community gardens, and a fenced in dog park for smaller dogs.

Byron Gibbs Park at 1520 Prentice Dr. is a nice neighborhood park with grass, picnic tables, playground, and restrooms.

Giorgi Park at 540 University Ave. has a large wooden playground, lighted tennis courts, and picnic tables.

Carson Warner Memorial Skate Park 15070 Grove St. is a concrete skate park with bowl and jump for skateboard and inline skates. Helmets and pads required.

City of Healdsburg - Parks Webpage - find more information about area parks.

Parks in neighboring communities:

The Windsor Town Green, about 15 minutes down the freeway has a nice playground along with shops, library, and restaurants.

Howarth Park, located in Santa Rosa, has a fantastic and extensive playground with several themes
Click on “play Areas” to see photos of the Prehistoric Area, Native Village, Rancho Santa Rosa, Western Town, Modern World and Climbing Wall, playgrounds – and that's just part of the “free stuff”. There are also train rides, pony rides, etc. You can spend a ton of time here without realizing it.

LIBRARY

The Healdsburg Public Library is downtown just 3 or so blocks north of the Post Office on the corner of Center St. and Piper. Santa Rosa Public Library is a much bigger library with more to offer, but if you are just looking for some books and a place to sit and read for awhile, Healdsburg's will do.

MUSEUMS

Healdsburg Museum exhibits feature antique clothing, firearms, Pomo basketry, a Christmas toy exhibit and more. Open 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., Tuesday- Sunday. 21 Matheson St. (707) 431-3325.

Pacific Coast Air Museum is located near the Sonoma County Airport features local aviation heritage and history. (707) 575-7900.

Charles M. Schultz Museum is in Santa Rosa at 2301 Hardies Ln., (707) 579-4452. Celebrates the life of Charles Schultz and the Peanuts characters. Includes exhibits, films, cartooning classroom where you can draw, write and learn about cartooning. The Redwood Empire Ice Arena (Snoopy's Home Ice) is across the street. Family indoor ice skating year round in one of the most beautiful ice arenas in the world. 1667 W. Steele Ln. Santa Rosa, (707) 546-7147.

NATURE

Riverfront Park is a Regional Park located about 15 minutes out Eastside Rd. It has short, flat trails around two ponds, river access, volleyball, BBQ, and picnic tables under a beautiful redwood grove.

Two other regional parks in nearby Windsor are Shiloh Ridge Park and Foothill Park. They both provide short hiking trails with beautiful views of Sonoma County.

Armstrong Redwoods is a scenic 20-25 minutes drive west towards Guerneville. Larger redwood grove with picnic tables, lots of shade, and more extensive trails.

Lake Sonoma Dam and Fish Hatchery - offer exhibits and some free publications and you can learn about the fish, the dam, Lake Sonoma and the history of the area (Pomo Indians). Bring quarters so you can feed the fingerling steelhead. Walk the short path to watch the fish swim up the fish ladder (Jan.- April).

Russian River Outdoors - Fun outdoor activities in the Russian River Valley, Sonoma County.

Safari West is located about 30 minutes from Healdsburg is a wildlife preserve that is home to over 600 animals. Take a jeep safari drive and observe giraffes, zebras, and gazelles roaming free. Reservations are essential. 3115 Porter Creek Rd., Santa Rosa. (707) 579-2551 or (800) 616-2695.

Links to Sonoma County and State Park Information:
Parks & Recreation in Sonoma County
Russian River Parks & Recreation Guide
California State Parks in Sonoma County
Russian River Regional Parks, State Parks & Maps

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Vertex Climbing Center is a large indoor climbing center for ages 5 and up with rock climbing, bouldering, and rope skills. Voted one of Sonoma County's best places for families.3358a Coffey Ln. Santa Rosa, (707) 573-1608.

Funky Monkey - Pizza, salads, and sandwiches. Softplay jungle gym with video and redemption games for prizes. 397 Aviation Blvd., Windsor, (707) 573-0304.

The Windsor Town Green- from Healdsburg drive south on 101 and take the Central Windsor Exit. Turn right on Windsor River Rd. and right on Windsor Rd. There are many shops and restaurants surrounding a beautiful town green with a playground Nearby is the library, Powell's Sweet Shoppe 836-0808 ( an amazing old fashioned candy store), Creative Wick 837-97777- a make your own candle studio, Tommy Tucker's 837-8808- an activity center for children while the parents shop, including puppets, games, arts and crafts, Rickshaw Rudy's pedal cab rides, 838-9922.

Windsor Bowl is located 8801 Conde Ln. Windsor, 837-9889. 24 lanes of bowling and cafe.

The Redwood Empire Ice Arena (Snoopy's Home Ice) is located across the street from the Charles M. Schultz Museum. Family indoor ice skating year round in one of the most beautiful ice arenas in the world. 1667 W. Steele Ln. Santa Rosa, (707) 546-7147.

HEALDSBURG AREA:

Healdsburg Info & Maps:
Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce & Visitor's Bureau - 800-648-9922 (CA only) or 707-433-6935
and Map of Downtown Healdsburg

Spring:
The signs of spring arrive early with tender blades of new grass appearing shortly after the new year. Spring can be beautiful and balmy. By May, the river has usually become suitable for kayaking, canoeing, and other activities.

Summer:
Healdsburg's Mediterranean climate is mild year round. It is dry (semi-arid) in the summer, with summer temperatures ranging between 70 and 95 degrees, usually cooling to the 50's overnight.
Year 'round it is smog-free and mosquitoes are scarce. Summer is the high season for water sports, with swimming, boating, and lots of ways to enjoy aquatic fun!

Fall:
In the fall, our weather is typically warm, clear, sunny and summer-like. Swimming and boating are usually possible until November.

Winter:
The average rainfall is forty inches with temperatures ranging from 28 degrees in the overnight to 60 degrees during the day, December through February. We are 30 miles from the Pacific Coast, and the relatively warm Humboldt current keeps us temperate and free of snowy conditions. Native steelhead and salmon swim upstream to spawn during the winter months and provide exciting fishing opportunities.