November 18, 2021
- If you’re retired and interested in living in Healdsburg, you’ll find ample reasons why the area may be the perfect spot for you
- Healdsburg, CA, has moderate weather year-round, along with plenty of outdoor activities and entertainment
- Some of the best things to do in Healdsburg, CA, include winery tours, shopping, and dining
About 70 miles north of San Francisco in Sonoma County, just on the northern edge of California’s Wine Country and situated on the verdant banks of the Russian River, you’ll find the charming hamlet of Healdsburg.
That description alone may be enough to convince a person to retire there. After all, it’s home to three of the top wineries in America, it’s considered a “trending” city, and Healdsburg is continuously named among the top 10 small towns in America on numerous lists.
Older residents living in Healdsburg may already know all about the town’s remarkable arts, entertainment, outdoor activities, and food and culture scenes. And residents thoroughly enjoy the area’s climate, which typically offers higher-than-average sunny days and has earned Healdsburg an 8.3 out of 10 by the annual BestPlaces Comfort Index (yes, even the Healdsburg, CA, weather wins awards!).
If you don’t currently call the area home but you’ve been considering a move, learning about the area’s many perks may help tip the scales in Healdsburg’s favor.
So, join us on this virtual visit as we explore seven reasons why you might want to retire in Healdsburg.
Reason #1: There are just so many things to do in Healdsburg.
Aside from an annual calendar packed with events from art fairs and farmers markets to festivals and celebrations, Healdsburg has so much to do you can stay busy every day of the year. The town has museums, art and antique galleries, ample eateries embracing the farm-to-table ethos, and of course, wineries. The famed historic Healdsburg Plaza boasts an impressive concentration of top restaurants, wine experiences, lodging and activities all within a few square blocks.
Reason #2: People love the pleasantly moderate Healdsburg, CA, weather.
People retire to the area for its long, warm, arid, and mostly sunny summers, and its short, cool winters. Though the U.S. average is 28 inches of snow annually, Healdsburg gets zero snowfall a year; instead, 42 inches of annual rainfall keep the area’s vines and green spaces nurtured. Temperatures typically vary from 37°F to 85°F, and rarely dip below 28°F or above 96°F.
Reason #3: All around Healdsburg, outdoor activities abound.
The climate, combined with the geography, makes the Healdsburg area a haven for lovers of the great outdoors. If you’re a cyclist, try a wine country bike tour. Or try paddleboarding, kayaking or rafting on the Russian river. There are trails to hike and parks to explore all around the city, such as in the 105-acre Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve, the 800-acre Armstrong Redwoods Forest or in the Lake Sonoma Recreation Area (which also features a 2,700-acre lake ideal for water sports).
And though Healdsburg isn’t a coastal town, it’s 32 miles to Jenner and Goat Rock Beach, where the Russian River empties into the Pacific Ocean.
Reason #4: For entertainment, Healdsburg offers outlets for theater buffs.
Originally built in 1949 to be a movie theater, the Raven Performing Arts Theater hosts more than 130 performances every year that range from theatrical productions, music, and dance performances to a robust speaker series. The Raven is now the performance home of the Raven Players, H-Town Youth Theater, and Healdsburg Jazz Festival, as well as annual school performances by Healdsburg Elementary School, Westside School, and St. John’s School.
Reasons #5: There’s plenty to strike a chord with music fans.
For lovers of local live music, the Healdsburg Plaza is the spot to be every Tuesday during the summer months. The concert series features a variety of musical genres, along with food from local vendors. The Elephant in the Room pub brings in regional touring musical acts who play indoors and in its outdoor beer garden.
And just down U.S. 101 in Santa Rosa, the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts attracts international performers like John Hiatt & the Jerry Douglas Band, Amy Grant. As a cornerstone of Sonoma State University’s commitment to the arts, the Green Music Center is a place to witness artistic inspiration through year-round programming, serving as home to the Sonoma State University Music Department, the Santa Rosa Symphony, and Sonoma Bach.
Reason #6: Living in Healdsburg means you get to know your neighbors.
Healdsburg has only about 11,814 residents and covers around 2,276 acres, so it’s not a sprawling city packed with people. You’ll easily find a few neighborhoods that each have their own unique feel. City Center puts people close to the downtown core and has apartments and some houses. The Powell Avenue/University Street neighborhood has more parks to explore and is dotted with single-family homes and residential developments. The Lytton/Simi area has more open spaces, views and spacious homes.
The town of Healdsburg is considered family-friendly, dog-friendly, retiree-friendly and artist-friendly, which adds up to a pretty inviting environment for just about everyone.
Reason #7: It will soon be home to America’s first one-of-a-kind Zen-inspired senior living community.
If you’re 60 or older, and you’re keen on retiring to Healdsburg, you might want to take a closer look at Enso Village. It’s a Life Plan Community focused on mindful aging, with a continuum of care available right on campus, if you should ever need it.
Choosing Enso Village means you get the best of Healdsburg, and the best of this remarkable senior living community. And that may be the best reason of all to get moving! Learn more about our community by browsing the FAQ on our website or simply contacting us.