Guidebook for Guerneville
Sightseeing
You learn about the Russian History of the area. I am one of those weird people who loves historical sites like this where they occasionally re-enact things. Find out why it's called "Russian River!" I'm not going to tell you! You'll probably love it most on a sunny day.
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Fort Ross
19005 Coast HwyYou learn about the Russian History of the area. I am one of those weird people who loves historical sites like this where they occasionally re-enact things. Find out why it's called "Russian River!" I'm not going to tell you! You'll probably love it most on a sunny day.
Shopping in Guerneville
It's full of quirky vintage and handmade items for your home that you can't find anywhere else. The vintage clothing is off the hook! Say hello to Dax and Smitty, the owners, lovely guys.
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Sonoma Nesting Co
16151 Main StIt's full of quirky vintage and handmade items for your home that you can't find anywhere else. The vintage clothing is off the hook! Say hello to Dax and Smitty, the owners, lovely guys.
There are two "River Queen" shops, one for antiques and collectibles and another a few shops down that is a nice clothing boutique. The owner is really nice. Support her business if you get a chance :)
River Queen Clothing
16377 Main StThere are two "River Queen" shops, one for antiques and collectibles and another a few shops down that is a nice clothing boutique. The owner is really nice. Support her business if you get a chance :)
Who does not love a 5 & 10 (aka "five and dime") store? (Well, those of us over 55 might remember what that is! ) They have toys, games, cards, gifts, floats, candy, collectibles, and many other fun things.
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Guerneville 5 & 10
16252 Main StWho does not love a 5 & 10 (aka "five and dime") store? (Well, those of us over 55 might remember what that is! ) They have toys, games, cards, gifts, floats, candy, collectibles, and many other fun things.
Essentials
It gets really crazy on Saturday and Sundays morning through afternoon. Try to go later at night or early in the morning if you are shopping on those days!
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Safeway
16405 CA-116It gets really crazy on Saturday and Sundays morning through afternoon. Try to go later at night or early in the morning if you are shopping on those days!
It's the only place nearby to do laundry. Prepare for colorful locals.
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Cinnabar Laundry
It's the only place nearby to do laundry. Prepare for colorful locals.
This service is located at the Cinnabar Laundry, I've never tried it, but it's there.
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Babs Wash Fold & Dry Cleaning
14045 Armstrong Woods RdThis service is located at the Cinnabar Laundry, I've never tried it, but it's there.
Guerneville Restaurants
There are many sweet little restaurants in Guerneville. These are some that we like.
It just has great coffee and such a Guerneville vibe. I appreciate their breakfast sandwich.
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Coffee Bazaar
14045 Armstrong Woods RdIt just has great coffee and such a Guerneville vibe. I appreciate their breakfast sandwich.
There's a lot of hype, and a lot of people want to eat there. That's because it is really good. They use locally sourced ingredients. No reservations, so you can go put your name on the list and have a drink nearby while you wait.
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boon eat + drink
16248 Main StThere's a lot of hype, and a lot of people want to eat there. That's because it is really good. They use locally sourced ingredients. No reservations, so you can go put your name on the list and have a drink nearby while you wait.
Reasonably priced creative and delicious sandwiches, pastries, and great coffee. Cute outdoor seating. Service slow.
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The Farmhand
15025 River RdReasonably priced creative and delicious sandwiches, pastries, and great coffee. Cute outdoor seating. Service slow.
Great beer, nice outdoor seating, pool table, fun atmosphere, pub food. What’s not to like?
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Stumptown Brewery
15045 River RdGreat beer, nice outdoor seating, pool table, fun atmosphere, pub food. What’s not to like?
I have to recommend this place to the budget traveler who appreciates a good taco truck, and out of respect for the many times I have chowed down here. I like the ceviche tostadas and the California burrito with french fries in it but take small bites:)
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Guerneville taco truck
16632 Main StI have to recommend this place to the budget traveler who appreciates a good taco truck, and out of respect for the many times I have chowed down here. I like the ceviche tostadas and the California burrito with french fries in it but take small bites:)
A little Southern-style place, Black-owned business, really yummy food and they might just call you "honey"!
Saucy Mama's
A little Southern-style place, Black-owned business, really yummy food and they might just call you "honey"!
They have good biscuits and you can buy picnic items and wine, etc. and the coffee is pretty good.
Piknik Town Market
They have good biscuits and you can buy picnic items and wine, etc. and the coffee is pretty good.
See the entertainment section for more about this place, I won't say the food is amazing (think pub fare) but it's a fun place to go.
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Rio Nido Roadhouse
14540 Canyon 2 RdSee the entertainment section for more about this place, I won't say the food is amazing (think pub fare) but it's a fun place to go.
Entertainment & Activities & River Beaches
Fun things to do in the area
So many reasons. Down to earth vibe, feels like a 1950's family camp during the day. If you are with your kids you can sit outside at picnic tables while they run around in the grass and play horseshoes, hide and seek, or shoot pool. They have a good beer selection and make some killer mojitos. The staff is super friendly. During summer days, there is a swimming pool for y'all too, with a snack bar. On Saturday nights they always have great live music and dancing, and you can get your hippie groove on...if you have one : )
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Rio Nido Roadhouse
14540 Canyon 2 RdSo many reasons. Down to earth vibe, feels like a 1950's family camp during the day. If you are with your kids you can sit outside at picnic tables while they run around in the grass and play horseshoes, hide and seek, or shoot pool. They have a good beer selection and make some killer mojitos. The staff is super friendly. During summer days, there is a swimming pool for y'all too, with a snack bar. On Saturday nights they always have great live music and dancing, and you can get your hippie groove on...if you have one : )
It's the beach to go to in Guerneville- if you are in the mood for a funky family beach experience. Kayak and canoe rentals, rafts, umbrellas- cuz sometimes the rocks get smoking hot! Reserve a spot if you’re coming on the weekend!
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Johnson's Beach
16215 First StIt's the beach to go to in Guerneville- if you are in the mood for a funky family beach experience. Kayak and canoe rentals, rafts, umbrellas- cuz sometimes the rocks get smoking hot! Reserve a spot if you’re coming on the weekend!
It's the closest place for you to get yourself into the river. It's basically a parking lot and a little beach space, with a dam nearby. Great place to launch a kayak downstream. If you go downstream a little way there are some little beach nooks that you can have all to yourself- if you get there early enough! If you go upstream from dam (in the summer when it’s there) you get to deeper water and can paddle up to some other beaches.
Road is only accessible by car in summer. October through June- walk under or around the chain and head down the hill.
Vacation Beach Road
Vacation Beach RoadIt's the closest place for you to get yourself into the river. It's basically a parking lot and a little beach space, with a dam nearby. Great place to launch a kayak downstream. If you go downstream a little way there are some little beach nooks that you can have all to yourself- if you get there early enough! If you go upstream from dam (in the summer when it’s there) you get to deeper water and can paddle up to some other beaches.
Road is only accessible by car in summer. October through June- walk under or around the chain and head down the hill.
It's another Russian River Beach Town. The beach also has a hotdog stand and raft rentals, I think the beach here is better than Johnson's. There's a little island you can swim out too. Funky folks and families all around. We like it, but that might not be your thing. There are a few shops and restaurants you can check out. Try Fern's if you want some pizza.
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Monte Rio
It's another Russian River Beach Town. The beach also has a hotdog stand and raft rentals, I think the beach here is better than Johnson's. There's a little island you can swim out too. Funky folks and families all around. We like it, but that might not be your thing. There are a few shops and restaurants you can check out. Try Fern's if you want some pizza.
Beautiful location, very friendly and knowledgable staff, you can bring your own snacks/ charcuterie board while you and your mates look out over the beautiful scenery. I'm not a big wine drinker, but I do enjoy the experience of wine tasting and the was magical.
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Gracianna Winery
6914 Westside RdBeautiful location, very friendly and knowledgable staff, you can bring your own snacks/ charcuterie board while you and your mates look out over the beautiful scenery. I'm not a big wine drinker, but I do enjoy the experience of wine tasting and the was magical.
If you are hankering for an epic float trip down the Russian River, this is your starting point. Personally I think this is one of the most joyful things to do here. You will need to be going on a weekend so that you can get a ride back from Sunset Beach on the shuttle (Stopping point).
Here are our pointers:
1. Gather your float, towel, snacks, drinks, sunscreen, $5, (and maybe more) and a hat and put them in the most waterproof container you can find.
2. Drive down the 116 (Pocket Canyon Hwy) toward El Molino High School in Forestville. That's where the shuttle picks people up.
3. You can stop to buy any of the above items at the hardware store and pharmacy in the little town of Forestville!
4. Get on the shuttle and get dropped of at Steelhead, you can inflate your raft at the station there, or a kind person will always help you.
5. Head down to that river and plop in.
6. Float down for about 2.5 hours, enjoy the people watching, and merrymaking. Get in that water!
7. Make sure not to miss the signs for Sunset Beach, about 10 minutes after you go under the bridge. Get out and deflate your raft and when you're ready head up to the parking lot to rebound the shuttle back to the high school.
8. If you don't want keep your raft, please don't chuck it, leave it at our place at the bottom of the driveway.
9. You will be tired. Maybe, eat dinner somewhere in Forestville and go back to pass out!
10. Alternately, get to Steelhead in your car early, find a nice nook to hang out in, and enjoy a day at the beach without the rest of the journey. It's all good here. Just be aware that parking lot fills early on weekends. Weekdays you might have a lot of real estate to yourself!
Steelhead Beach
If you are hankering for an epic float trip down the Russian River, this is your starting point. Personally I think this is one of the most joyful things to do here. You will need to be going on a weekend so that you can get a ride back from Sunset Beach on the shuttle (Stopping point).
Here are our pointers:
1. Gather your float, towel, snacks, drinks, sunscreen, $5, (and maybe more) and a hat and put them in the most waterproof container you can find.
2. Drive down the 116 (Pocket Canyon Hwy) toward El Molino High School in Forestville. That's where the shuttle picks people up.
3. You can stop to buy any of the above items at the hardware store and pharmacy in the little town of Forestville!
4. Get on the shuttle and get dropped of at Steelhead, you can inflate your raft at the station there, or a kind person will always help you.
5. Head down to that river and plop in.
6. Float down for about 2.5 hours, enjoy the people watching, and merrymaking. Get in that water!
7. Make sure not to miss the signs for Sunset Beach, about 10 minutes after you go under the bridge. Get out and deflate your raft and when you're ready head up to the parking lot to rebound the shuttle back to the high school.
8. If you don't want keep your raft, please don't chuck it, leave it at our place at the bottom of the driveway.
9. You will be tired. Maybe, eat dinner somewhere in Forestville and go back to pass out!
10. Alternately, get to Steelhead in your car early, find a nice nook to hang out in, and enjoy a day at the beach without the rest of the journey. It's all good here. Just be aware that parking lot fills early on weekends. Weekdays you might have a lot of real estate to yourself!
Take your inner kids, or something else, and head down to this goofy place, if you're in the mood for some not-so challenging sports.
There's a BBQ food truck, some old-ass video games, and a pool table on site. It's OG Guerneville.
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Pee Wee Golf & Arcade
16155 Drake RdTake your inner kids, or something else, and head down to this goofy place, if you're in the mood for some not-so challenging sports.
There's a BBQ food truck, some old-ass video games, and a pool table on site. It's OG Guerneville.
This is a great place to get a floatie, rent a kayak, get water shoes, and fishing gear. They will inflate your floatie for you:)
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King's Sport & Tackle
16258 Main StThis is a great place to get a floatie, rent a kayak, get water shoes, and fishing gear. They will inflate your floatie for you:)
Parks & Nature
You must go to Armstrong Redwoods and to the Sonoma Coast if you can.
This is my favorite beach on the Sonoma Coast. There are several different beaches you can choose from, they are all special. The views are stunning. I love beach combing on Blind Beach, the rocks are little treasures!
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Goat Rock State Beach - Sonoma Coast State Park
This is my favorite beach on the Sonoma Coast. There are several different beaches you can choose from, they are all special. The views are stunning. I love beach combing on Blind Beach, the rocks are little treasures!
It was very recently remodeled and it's a fun place for kids 1.5-10ish. Plus there are picnic tables, it's a nice place to go while you are at Vacation Beach.
Vacation Beach/Charles Raneri Playground
It was very recently remodeled and it's a fun place for kids 1.5-10ish. Plus there are picnic tables, it's a nice place to go while you are at Vacation Beach.
It's the place to visit the iconic Redwoods that once upon a time filled this area. It costs $10 to get in driving. Park just outside if you want to save money and just walk in. But then consider donating a little something to the Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods. They do great work.
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve
It's the place to visit the iconic Redwoods that once upon a time filled this area. It costs $10 to get in driving. Park just outside if you want to save money and just walk in. But then consider donating a little something to the Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods. They do great work.
Beaches
Johnson's Beach
16215 First St