Wandering around downtown Healdsburg, it's hard not to notice how much everything's changed from my first visit 10 years ago. On my first trip, I was there to style hair for a wedding and I absolutely loved it! It was super cute and old-timey, with a slow, vintage California feel. Now, don't get me wrong — it's still super cute and obviously, I totally love it there — but Healdsburg's seen a huge transformation in the last decade. There's a part of me that's sad to see some of the rustic charm polished away as the town grows, but it's a wonderful place that I visit pretty often.
Today, downtown Healdsburg is very comfortable and it's full of amazing shops, specialty grocery stores and restaurants. There are numerous cafes, spas, wine tasting rooms and wine bars for the ever-growing wine tourists — and while I miss some of the old historic feel of the place, it's great to see that business is booming. There's still that small town feel, but it's a lot more modern now and the town has more of a boutique aesthetic. Although I enjoy the newer amenities, I can't help but miss some of the untouched charm. I love downtown Healdsburg and I hope it can stay adorable and charming forever.
This last visit, I stopped into my favorite store, Oakville Grocery, to grab a few things before heading over to Banshee Wines to meet a friend. Banshee has a beautiful tasting room with a super-relaxing atmosphere and lovely mid-century decor. I adore their great taste in furniture, with dark wood, leather and brass accents, as well as their clean and simple marble fireplace. They've created a really pretty space that's comfortable and inviting — it's a fantastic place to spend the afternoon.
I ordered some snacks and stayed there awhile to sample some of their wines. Out of all of them, my favorite was their 2014 Cabernet. It was rich and delicious — a perfect lift before heading out to explore more of the town. The next time you're in downtown Healdsburg, grab yourself a glass of wine and spend awhile shopping or lounging around the plaza. Take some time to enjoy the sun and cool off on the grass beneath the tall trees as they sway in the breeze. It's life, uncomplicated — something that we seem to lose as time goes on — but still can be found in beautiful gems like this.