The Ultimate Day Trip from Your Healdsburg Medical Conference

What if earning CME felt like a Northern California road trip?

This corner of Sonoma County is filled with winding backroads, towering redwoods, hidden cafés, dramatic coastlines, and small towns that invite you to slow down and explore.

Still wondering why we think this is one of the best destinations for a medical conference? Let us take you on a perfect day in the life.

Start Your Morning in Healdsburg

Arrive a day early and ease into the weekend.

Wake up in beautiful Healdsburg and take a leisurely stroll to the historic downtown plaza. Start your morning with a perfectly crafted coffee from Black Oak Coffee Roasters. Then, pick up one of the famous pastries from Quail & Condor, a local bakery that has become a destination in itself.

Wander through the boutiques surrounding the square, stopping into Forage for thoughtfully curated home goods. Or browse the shelves at the beloved Copperfield’s Books. When you’re ready, settle into breakfast at Acorn Café! It’s one of our favorite local spots with an outdoor patio overlooking the square.

Morning Ride through the Vineyards

Next, hop on an e-bike and head into Dry Creek Valley for a scenic 1 hr bike ride. Quiet country roads wind through vineyards, olive groves, and family-owned wineries. This makes it one of California’s most scenic cycling routes. Stop mid-way at the Dry Creek Store for a snack. Then, continue on back to the hotel to freshen up and get ready for your next adventure.

Follow the River to the Redwoods

Following the Russian River west, you’ll arrive in the laid-back river town of Guerneville. That’s where independent shops, cozy cafés, and a relaxed atmosphere make it well worth a stop. Just beyond town lies one of Sonoma County’s true treasures: Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. Walk beneath towering coast redwoods that have stood for centuries, and enjoy the quiet beauty of one of California’s most awe-inspiring forests.

Discover the Sonoma Coast

As the road from Guerneville winds toward the Pacific, vineyards gradually give way to rugged cliffs, crashing waves, and salty ocean air. Welcome to Bodega Bay.

Spend the afternoon exploring coastal trails, watching harbor seals, or simply relaxing with fresh oysters or local seafood overlooking the harbor.

One Last Stop

On your drive back to Healdsburg, make the trip a loop and take the scenic route through Sebastopol.

Known for its creative spirit, farm-to-table culture, and surrounding apple orchards, Sebastopol is full of artisan shops, local food producers, and welcoming cafés. Afterwards, stretch your legs with a stroll through The Barlow, a vibrant marketplace featuring local makers, breweries, wineries, bakeries, and specialty food vendors- an ideal place for one last treat before heading back.

End the Day Like a Local

Afterward, head back to Healdsburg and finish your adventure with dinner at Lo & Behold, one of our favorite gathering places. From there, you can walk across the plaza for a handcrafted cocktail at Little Saint.

By the end of a full day exploring wine country, redwoods, rivers, and the Pacific Coast, you’ll be ready to settle in for the Outdoor Medicine Collective.

The MedTreks Challenge

We love sharing our favorite places, so we’ve created a little adventure just for our medical conference in Healdsburg attendees.

Complete this Sonoma County road trip during your conference weekend, and we’ll stamp your MedTreks Explorer Passport. Bring it back to us, and you’ll earn a special MedTreks prize – along with a few unforgettable memories from one of California’s most beautiful corners.

We can’t wait to welcome you in October to our Outdoor Medicine CME Collective!