Intimate Healdsburg CA Wedding Venues – The Camellia Inn

If you are looking for small and intimate Healdsburg CA wedding venues, look no further than the charming Camellia Inn. The Inn is the ideal location for an elopement, honeymoon, getting ready, and taking fabulous photos. That’s exactly what Kendra and Michael did for their big day here at the Inn.

Photographer Derek Lapsley captured all their tender moments. His photos captured getting ready, first look photos, and portrait photos at the inn. Our gardens, and coral pink, Italianate Victorian architecture, made it a stunning background for their most cherished photos.

The image gallery below shows their time at the inn, You, too can come explore the inn and our offerings for your own special getaway, Healdsburg elopement or honeymoon, or your home-base for getting ready for the big day.

The Camellia Inn is one of the most intimate of Healdsburg CA wedding venues. Our charming, 1869 Italianate Victorian Inn blends old world vintage charm with modern luxury for an affordable Healdsburg wedding experience. From our beautiful rooms, wonderful breakfasts, and helpful hosts, your time at Camellia Inn will become a treasured memory. Begin the journey, check availability, and book your next getaway today.

Photo Credit and Special Thanks to Photographer Derek Lapsley.

Free Tuesdays at Camellia Inn this Spring

With the holidays over and springtime approaching fast, who couldn’t use some down time? Get some much needed R&R with a Sonoma Wine Country getaway and save with Camellia Inn’s Free Tuesday lodging special!

There’s nothing like a Wine Country vacation to soothe the worry lines from your brow and put that spring back in your step. Fewer tourists midweek means greater access to exclusive attractions, lower prices and less foot traffic at your favorite haunts.

We certainly think of midweek stays that way: an opportunity to experience a different, quieter side of Sonoma County. It is with this in mind that we created our Free Tuesday lodging special.

Free Tuesday Lodging Special

Book 3 nights midweek and get Tuesdays FREE for your stay at Camellia Inn between February-April 2023 – and that’s not all!

You’ll also receive a few other seasonal surprises. Complimentary wine tastings at all Wilson Artisan Wineries during your stay can be arranged by our fabulous innkeepers!

Use discount Code: FREET23 on our website today to book!

Food & Wine Pairings with Coyote Sonoma

There are lots of great reasons to plan a Sonoma County getaway at our Healdsburg inn and we’ve just added another! One of the newest things to indulge in when you visit Healdsburg is Coyote Sonoma’s Food and Wine Pairings. Casual and fun these parings are the perfect spot to start your Wilson Artisan Wines journey. Walking distance from the Inn, our Coyote Sonoma wine tasting room offers a lovely outside patio, and enjoy a flight of wine paired is an exclusive wine and food paring event with Williamson Wines!

If wine is not your thing, check out all of the wonderful local beer on tap at Coyote Sonoma!

Sonoma Canopy Tours – Soar Through the Forest

Don’t just get out into nature, get UP into it at Sonoma Canopy Tours! High-flying, zipline adventures in California’s coastal Redwoods.

There’s nothing quite like ziplining. Flying high above the ground with amazing views, securely harnessed, yet feeling free and alive with excitement and wonder. If you’ve had the experience, you’ll know what I mean. If not, you’re really missing out.

Even if you have ridden a zipline before, was it at Sonoma Canopy Tours? If your answer is no, you’re still missing out. There are zipline courses and then there are ZIPLINE COURSES.

Sonoma Canopy Tours’ (aka Sonoma Zipline Adventures) longest zipline is 1500 feet (457 m) long and can get you flying along at up to 40 mph (64.4 kmh)! Even better, their zipline adventures double as eco tours. Educational experiences that will bring you closer to the beauty and complexity of the unique Coastal Redwood eco-system.

A Variety of Zipline Experiences

Sonoma Zipline Adventures has two unique zipline courses. Both include multiple zip lines, sky bridges, a majestic spiral staircase, and a rappel to the forest floor. Both tours will have you up and flying through the trees for two-and-a-half hours.

The Tree Tops Tour is their fastest, highest, and longest course. Reach speeds of up to 40 mph (64.4 kmh) on a 1500 foot (457 m) long zipline some 250 feet (76.2 m) above the forest floor! Did we mention that the course is 2,907 feet (639 m) long? That’s almost two-thirds of a mile – Wow!

The Forest Flight Tour is a little more sedate – but only a little. It provides speeds of up to 30 mph (48.2 kmh) at 200 feet (61 m). This course is nearly half a mile long at 2,157 feet (657 m) in length.

Both courses include 7 ziplines providing a variety of speeds, 2 skybridges, and a final rappel back down to the forest floor.

For some real adventure, sign up for the Night Flight Tour: the Forest Flight Tour during sunset or even at night! Imagine zipping along through the treetops under the moon and stars. Breathtaking!

Sonoma Canopy Tours

Sonoma Canopy Tours is located at 6250 Bohemian Highway, Occidental, Ca 95465 – an easy 40 minutes or less from Camellia Inn.

It would be easy to make a delightful day-trip out of this adventure. Nearby Occidental, CA is a tiny and friendly bohemian community just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean and the Russian River.

The charming, two-block-long town has lots of nice restaurants and shops and is fun to visit. The surrounding area offers no end of outdoor recreation, including hiking, fishing, and of course, cycling on Coleman Valley Road. Spend the day enjoying the Occidental area, then head back to the comforts of your Camellia Inn guestroom.

Sonoma Zipline Adventures has offered guided, zipline, eco tours through the redwood treetops since 2010. Learn more on the Sonoma Zipline Adventures website. You can also visit them on Facebook.

Healdsburg Antique Stores – Vintage Treasures & Upcycle Chic

If searching for vintage treasures is one of your favorite pastimes, you’ll be happy to learn that there are a number of excellent Healdsburg antique stores – and all within easy walking distance of Camellia Inn!

There’s nothing quite like antique shopping.

With most other stores, you have a good idea of what’s inside before you enter. When it comes to antique stores and vintage shops, however, you never know what you’ll find. Every visit is like an exciting archeological dig: what fantastic treasures will you discover today?

Healdsburg is home to a variety of antique shops and, like the rest of downtown, getting to them from our Healdsburg inn is a snap.

So go ahead: grab your hat and sunglasses, put on those comfy walking shoes, and follow me to fun!

Healdsburg Antique Stores

Antique Harvest – 225 Healdsburg Ave
Over 7,000 square feet of antiques, jewelry, art and more. Antique Harvest is an antique, itself. As Healdsburg’s oldest store, it has been in business for over 45 years!

Mill Street Antiques – 44 Mill St
More than 30 vendors in 15,000 square feet offering traditional, contemporary, and mid-century items as well as shabby chic furniture, and decor.

Modern Antiquarium – 452 Healdsburg Ave
30-plus vendors offering an ever-changing array of incredible and often one-of-a-kind vintage and antique items.

Shoffeitt’s Off The Square – 208 Healdsburg Ave
Shoffeitt’s offers an eclectic mix of vintage, antique, and hand-made treasures, including upcycled items and repurposed pieces.

Ærena Galleries & Gardens – 115 Plaza St
Ærena Galleries is mainly a high-end boutique for contemporary art, design, and furnishings. Their offerings also include a variety of vintage objects and curiosities, however.

And So Much More

Antiques aren’t the only thing within easy walking distance of Camellia Inn. Our convenient location puts you within a ten minute walk of most of the best of Healdsburg. This includes the historic Healdsburg Plaza shops, galleries, restaurants, and park area with benches and a gazebo.

It is very relaxing to spend the day visiting all the wonderful shops in downtown Healdsburg, knowing the comfort and privacy of your Camellia Inn guest room is just steps or minutes away. So convenient!

A Taste of Healdsburg at the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market

There’s nothing like a farmers market for delivering a quite literal taste of both a region’s produce and its character. That’s certainly true of the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market. Even better, the market is an easy, 5 minute stroll from Camellia Inn!

Farmers markets have really been making a comeback as more people learn about the benefits of locally grown, healthy, whole, and raw foods. Beyond all the fresh, local produce, farmers markets help to promote local economic health and are more sustainable than big box grocery stores.

They’re also a great way to get to know both your neighbors and your food producers better. When traveling, visiting a local farmers market is a great way to get a feel for and help support a community.

These facts are well known in Healdsburg because our farmers market has been a local institution since 1978! In fact the Healdsburg market is one of California’s original, twenty-two Certified farmers markets!

Healdsburg Farmers’ Market

The market is home to over 60 different vendors offering a wide variety of fresh produce – but that’s not all! You’ll also find flowers, cheeses, honey, olive oil, fresh eggs, wild caught fish, pasture-finished meat, and more. The market also offers baked goods, precooked foods, packaged foods, and hand-crafted goods.

Always a bit of a celebration, each market day features live entertainment another regional musician or band whose talents always enliven the day.

The market also puts on several special and seasonal events throughout the season. Special guests, cooking demos, zucchini races, pumpkin carving contests, and the upcoming Craft Market.

October/November Craft Market

Saturday, October 10th, 2020, 8:30am to 12pm at the Heraldsburg Farmers’ Market.

If you’re a fan of handcrafted goods – and a really good time – you do not want to miss the October/November Craft Market.

Each week, the farmers market will feature 30 or more artisans selling their handcrafted goods. Ceramics, fiber art, glass, carvings, jewelry, paper goods, and much more. The mix will change from week to week, so you never know what treasures you’ll discover. Exciting!

What a great way to find a truly unique and special gift.

2020 Season Market Hours

The Healdsburg Farmer’s Market is held two days a week.

Saturdays, until November 28, 2020, the market goes from 8:30am to noon in the West Plaza Parking Lot, one block west of the Healdsburg Plaza on North and Vine.

Tuesdays, until October 27, 2020, the market is open from 9am to 12:30pm at the Healdsburg Plaza.

Both locations are an easy and pleasant, three-and-a-half block stroll from our Healdsburg inn.

So go ahead, start off one of your Sonoma Wine Country getaway days at the Healdsburg Farmer’s Market. Fresh air, fresh food, and friendly folk – there may be no better way to wake up!

Learn more at the market website. You can also visit the market on Facebook.

Discover Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve

Sometimes you just want to get out into the great outdoors. Not too far out but somewhere to clear your head and draw in those big, rejuvenating breaths of fresh country air. Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve is a 155 acre park less than ten minutes from downtown Healdsburg and our Healdsburg inn.

Nothing clears the head and sets your mood like a nice traipse in the countryside. Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve is just one of many places in or near Healdsburg that offers just that.

The Preserve, located just north of downtown near Simi Winery, contains a network of more than 3 miles of hiking trails. Don’t expect a big workout, however. The trails run from easy to moderate, making them perfect for a relaxing stroll or an invigorating run or bike ride.

The network of trails passes through grasslands, oak woodlands, wetlands, and chaparral. These diverse habitats support a wide array of plants and wildlife. Deer, rabbits, bobcats, river otters, over 40 species of birds, and more call the Preserve home.

Visitors to the Preserve are also rewarded with expansive views of Fitch Mountain, the Mayacama Mountains, and the Russian River. Be sure to bring your camera as you never know what eye-popping beauty you’ll be presented with.

Exploring Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve

The Preserve address is Arabian Way, Healdsburg, CA 95448.

Don’t get too confused when you end up in a subdivision hunting down the Preserve. If the street is called “Arabian Way” you’re doing just fine. Head to the end of the street, park at the trailhead, and head on up. Soon you’ll be surrounded by the beautiful oak woodlands that flourished here before the time of vineyards and subdivisions.

Trails in the Preserve are loop trails or connect with another in the network to circle back around. Most also lead past a scenic overlook to stop and take in. Mayacama Overlook, Russian River Overlook, and Serpentine Overlook are some of the standouts.

Be sure to look over a Preserve trail map before you set off.

If hitting the trail on two wheels is more your style, Spoke Folk Cyclery and Wine Country Bikes can help get you geared up, so to speak.

Whatever your chosen method of travel, just be sure to take along some water so you don’t get dehydrated. It’s warm and dry here most of the year, even winter. You’ll also want to prepare and watch out or some of the Preserve’s less friendly natural residents, ticks and the occasional rattler.

Let us know what kinds of things you’d like to do during your Sonoma County Wine vacation and we’ll help get you pointed in the right direction. There’s no end to the fun and sun in Healdsburg!

Explore Riverfront Regional Park

Looking to get out and do a little communing with nature? Riverfront Regional Park, a Sonoma County public park on the banks of the Russian River, offers hiking, biking, paddling, and more.

Best of all, it’s just minutes from our Healdsburg bed and breakfast, Camellia Inn!

There are lots of lovely areas in Sonoma County to get out into nature. One of the more popular ones here in Healdsburg is Riverfront Regional Park.

Riverfront Regional Park is around 300 acres of reclaimed river lands along the Russian River, just west of Windsor, CA.

What was once scarred with gravel pits now features a lovely redwood grove and two beautiful lakes surrounded by classic Wine Country scenery.

Hiking, Biking, Fishing, Boating & More

Riverfront Regional Park is a beautiful park and excellent for dogs, kids, or just yourself!

One of the first things you’ll see at the park is a redwood grove at the park entrance. This graceful stand of lovely trees is home to a wonderful picnic area with tables, a large barbecue, volleyball, and a horseshoe pit. Nearby facilities include flush toilets and a drinking fountain.

The park’s main attractions Lake Benoist and Lake Wilson; two former gravel pits now reclaimed as lakes. Both are popular for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. Swimming is prohibited.

The park also offers two nature trails.

Lake Trail (2.18 mile / 3.5km) leads from the parking lot, past Lake Wilson, to loop around Lake Benoist. This trail also features a short spur to a small gravel beach on the Russian River. Horseback riding is allowed on the Lake Trail, which includes equestrian parking and hitching posts.

Redwood Hill Trail (.5 mile / .805km) passes through the redwood grove near the parking lot. It then leads up over a forested ridge to connect to the Lake Trail.

Both walking trails are unpaved but mostly flat and easy to traverse. During wetter weather, a northwest section of the Lake Trail may become impassable.

View a map of the park and trails here.

Riverfront Regional Park

7821 Eastside Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Open daily, 7am to Sunset.

Visit the park website for more information. You can also find the park on Facebook.

The park is an easy 10 minute drive south on Eastside Road from our Healdsburg inn. The drive is usually free of traffic and features lots of scenic vineyard vistas, including J Vineyards, Rodney Strong, and Foppiano Vineyards.

In fact, you could (should!) even pick up some wine from one of them for your picnic. Yum!

Things To Do In Healdsburg

Healdsburg, California is well known for its tasting rooms and vineyards but you would be mistaken to think that sipping wine is all there is to do here. Far from it. In fact, there are so many fun things to do in Healdsburg it may be hard to choose what to do first!

Once upon a time, Healdsburg was just a sleepy little town on the Russian River in north Sonoma County – but those days are long gone. While we still exude small town warmth and friendliness, our location has us at the center of over 100 different wineries, many of them award-winning.

With the wine came fame, growth, and fun. Now Healdsburg is continually named one of America’s top 10 small towns – and not just because of the wineries.

So Many Things To Do In Healdsburg

Lucky for you, the location of our Healdsburg inn puts you within easy walking distance of Zagat and Michelin-rated restaurants, fine antique stores, art galleries, chic boutiques, and more.

Historic Healdsburg Town Plaza is just two blocks away and a downtown nexus of excellent shops, galleries, and dining opportunities. The lawn at the center of the plaza includes benches, a gazebo, and is the site of summer events and festivals. The Healdsburg plaza is both a window-shoppers paradise and a lovely place to simply relax and people-watch.

Shopping

Speaking of shopping, Healdsburg is filled with little boutiques, independent bookstores, local art galleries, and antique stores. If you’re the kind who can spend the whole day shopping, rest assured that Healdsburg can keep up with you – and then some.

A few standouts include the sleek Gallery Lulo for high end housewares and jewelry, Ereloom menswear boutique, Antique Harvest, Healdsburg’s oldest merchant, and Copperfield’s unbelievable bookstore. And much more.

Museums and Galleries

History buffs interested in the area will enjoy a visit to the Healdsburg Museum. You’ll also want to stop by the very unique Healdsburg Hand Fan Museum. How unique? It’s the only museum of its kind in the country!

Healdsburg is home a numerous fine art galleries, too. Art enthusiasts should be sure to stop by the Paul Mahder Gallery, the Father/Son Harris Gallery, and Erickson Fine Art Gallery, just to start.

Outdoor Recreation

Looking to get out into all that fresh air and sunshine? Great idea! Healdsburg offers plenty for the outdoor enthusiast, including many parks to explore and enjoy.

Biking – We have some of the best cycling terrain in the world. It is also home to plenty of bike rentals, like Wine Country Bikes and Spoke Folk Cyclery.

Hiking – The Healdsburg area isn’t exactly hikeable but there are some nice opportunities all around us. If window shopping and wine tours aren’t enough, try the nearby trails at Riverfront Regional Park and the Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve.

Paddling and Rafting – Get another view of Sonoma County Wine Country with a paddling trip down the friendly waters of the Russian River. There are a number of outfitters offering boat rentals nearby our Healdsburg bed and breakfast.

Tours and Experiences

You’re in wine country, so a wine tour of some kind is most likely on your schedule. Lucky for you they come in such a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

There are your expected winery and vineyard tours and the not so expected ones, like hot air balloon winery tours.

Wine Country Walking Tours offers a variety of walking tours (natch) and the aforementioned Wine Country Bikes is just one of many outfitters offering wine country bike tours along with rentals.

And That’s Just For Starters

We could go on. And on. There are just so many great and worthy things to do in Healdsburg that we couldn’t possibly list them all. If there’s something special you’d like to do during your stay at Camellia Inn, or are looking for suggestions, just let us know. We’ll do what we can to help make your Sonoma Wine Country vacation the very best it can be.

See you soon!

Get Out On the Water with a Russian River Rafting Trip

Take a ride on the easy waters of the Russian River through the heart of Sonoma County Wine Country with a Russian River rafting trip! Floating down the Russian River in a kayak, canoe, SUP, or inflatable is one of Sonoma County’s most popular summer activities for both visitors and locals alike.

There’s nothing quite like getting out on the river. Soaking up the beauty of the Russian River Valley from the perspective of the water is an experience everyone will enjoy. The peace and quiet, the gentle flow of the waters carrying you along, and so much wildlife! Osprey, heron, kingfisher, egrets, turtles, bass, pike, deer, even eagles and the occasional otter.

Between April and October – boating season – there is little rain and the Russian River becomes amiably gentle. No white water, just a few currents here and there. Perfect conditions for a relaxing paddle, no matter your level of boating experience.

Canoes and kayaks are the boats of choice, though SUP (stand-up paddleboards) are becoming more and more popular. Inner tubes and other inflatables are another fun and common option.

Best of all, you don’t have to bring your own craft along to join in the fun. Sonoma County is home to many outfitters offering a variety of ways to get out onto the water. Below is a short-list of those nearest to our Healdsburg bed and breakfast, Camellia Inn.

Russian River Rafting

Russian River Adventures –
Locally operated Russian River Adventures is currently offering self-guided day trips. 9 miles down the river from Memorial Beach to Wohler Bridge, in SOAR Inflatable canoes. The trip takes between 3.5 to 6 hours, depending on your pace. Enjoy gentle paddling, swimming holes, beaches, swimming, wildlife, and a picnic stop. You can even bring your dog! Visit russianriveradventures.com for more information.

River’s Edge Kayak and Canoe Trips –
River’s Edge, also located in Healdsburg, has a popular 3 to 5 hour “Rio” Trip down a quaint section of a five-mile stretch of the river, starting north of Healdsburg. Choose a canoe or kayak for your self-guided tour – and don’t forget to bring picnic supplies! Learn more at riversedgekayakandcanoe.com.

Rubicon Adventures –
Rubicon, in Forestville CA, offers a variety of paddleboard trips and tours on the Russian River. They also offer clinics and SUP yoga. Their certified instructors will help you learn the ins and outs of SUP (if needed) and get you out on the water for some real fun. Go to rubiconadventures.com for more info.

Burke’s Canoe Trips –
Burke’s Canoe Trips, also located about 30 minutes away in Forestville, offers a ten mile, self-guided canoe trip through redwoods. Pack a picnic lunch, slip on your swimsuit and river shoes, and get ready for up to 5 hours of fun on the water. Collect more details at burkescanoetrips.com.

So Much To Do In Sonoma Wine Country

There is no end to the fun that can be had in the Healdsburg area. Wineries, shopping, art galleries, hiking, biking, touring, and so much more. Just let us know what activities interest you and we’ll be more than happy to get you pointed in the right direction. So go ahead, come explore Sonoma Wine Country – book your stay at Camellia Inn today!

Visit Sonoma County Breweries

It may be hard to believe but, once upon a time, the cash crop in Sonoma County was hops, not grapes. While this is definitely wine country now, Sonoma County breweries are thriving and producing some of the best craft beers in the world.

In fact, Sonoma County is considered one of the world’s beer capitals. Neighboring Santa Rosa still holds the title of the Microbrew Capital of the United States – and has for years. Why, some even point to our area as the progenitor of the current craft beer movement.

New Albion Brewing Company, considered by many to be the first, modern craft brewery, opened its doors in Sonoma, CA in 1976. The scene has exploded since then, of course, both across the nation and right here in Sonoma County. There are currently more than two dozen breweries in county, with more opening all the time.

While Bear Republic closed the doors of its local brewpub in 2019, there are still many excellent, Sonoma County breweries and brew pubs near our Healdsburg inn. The short list below details some of the best and most popular breweries near Healdsburg.

Sonoma County Breweries

Russian River Brewing Company – 725 4th St, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Easily one of the most famous and popular brewers in the area. Their beer, Pliny the Younger, is consistently rated as one of the top 6 beers in the world.

Fogbelt Brewing Company – 1305 Cleveland Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Fogbelt Brewing serves their selection of beers in a casual, gastro-pub atmosphere. The business prides itself in using locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible. Why, their hops are grown right here in Healdsburg.

HenHouse Brewing Company – 322 Bellevue Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95407

HenHouse Brewing is one of those fun places you look forward to going to whenever you’re not there. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and the beers are fantastic and often very creative.

Cooperage Brewing Company – 981 Airway Ct g, Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Cooperage offers a rotating selection of small-batch, hoppy and Belgian-style ales, with barrel-aged sours as their specialty. Deliciously different, every time.

Stumptown Brewery – 15045 River Rd, Guerneville, CA 95446

This laid-back, wood-paneled brewpub offers seasonal in-house beers along with a collection of local taps and a full pub menu. Enjoy a beer and a bite on their deck overlooking the Russian River.

St Florian’s Brewery – 7704 Bell Rd, Windsor, CA 95492

The Windsor Fire Captain and full-time firefighter started this brewery named after the patron saint of firefighters that donates at least five percent of its profits to community-based organizations. Their excellent beers are understandably popular with first responders.

Healdsburg Beer

You may have noticed by now that, though all of the above are 20 minutes of less from our Sonoma County bed and breakfast, none are in Healdsburg. While we don’t have a craft brewery in town, we wouldn’t want you to think there is no beer in Healdsburg. Quite to the contrary!

There are a number of restaurants and lounges in town, most of which have a good selection of beers on tap or bottle. For a better than average and local selection of good craft beers, however, we recommend:

Healdsburg Bar and Grill – 245 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, CA
HBG has a HUGE beer list, both on tap and in bottle, along with wine, spirits, and a full menu from the grill. Stop in and see how long it takes you to choose a beer.

The Wurst – 22 Matheson St, Healdsburg, CA
The Wurst also offers another good (if not quite as large) selection of taps and bottles – along with some seriously delicious sausages, burgers, and more.

Up, Up, and Away on a Sonoma Hot Air Balloon Wine Tour

There are many ways to explore wine country – walking tours, driving tours, van tours, biking tours, and more. For a truly unique, bucket-list worthy experience, however, it’s hard to beat a Sonoma hot air balloon wine tour!

If you think Sonoma County wine country is gorgeous from the ground, wait until you see it from the air. There’s nothing like floating high and gentle as a bird above above the unfolding landscape in a big, beautiful, hot air balloon.

Unlike a plane, balloon flight is nearly silent. It’s just you, your companions, and pilot securely suspended in a large, sturdy, open air basket. Below and all around you the world stretches in all directions, as far as the eye can see. Your pilot operates the balloon, your job is to simply take it all in.

The Ballooning Experience

Your ballooning experience may vary, depending upon the operator and type of tour you choose. Some tours may only include the balloon flight, while others are more extensive. You may need to drive to the launch area or you may be taken there by shuttle.

Outside of the tour details, however, most balloon launches, flights, and landings will be similar.

Most hot air balloon launches take place early in the day and your tour may include watching the inflation process. They’ll unpack and stretch out the balloon so they can begin filling it with air. Hot air balloons are first inflated with fans, then with a propane burner for loft.

You may be shocked to realize just how huge one of these balloons really is, once you’ve seen it laid out like that!

Taking off might sound a little scary but may just surprise you in a different direction. Balloon flight is so stable that many don’t realize they’ve left the ground until well after the fact!

Landing can be a little more exciting and bumpy but not to worry. There are plenty of safety-measures in place and your pilot will make sure everyone has a safe and fun experience.

Sonoma Hot Air Balloon Wine Tours

There are a number of companies in the area offering Sonoma hot air balloon tours. Listed below are just some of the more popular, local companies offering this service.

Up & Away Hot Air Ballooning
Serving Sonoma County for over 20 years with a variety of tours taking off from Sonoma County Airport. – 707 329-4167

Wine Country Balloons
Wine Country Balloons offers a variety of tours and extras that kick off with a yummy start at Kaffe Mocha & Grill in Santa Rosa. – 707 538-7359

Wine Country Walking Tours
Wine Country Walking Tours provides all manner of vineyard and winery tours. Their Sonoma hot air balloon wine tour is loaded with a full day of fun extras! – 707 758-4287

There’s just so much to do and see in Healdsburg – and Camellia Inn is here to help. Just let us know where your interests lie and we’ll help to aim you in the right direction. See you soon!