Guerneville in Sonoma County is full of charm with surrounding natural beauty. It can be a great stop for anyone visiting the state’s Wine Country. The quirky, rustic, charming town combines redwood trees, a laid-back feel, cool river waters, and Wine Country delights. Nature lovers can also get their fill of redwoods at the Armstrong Redwood State Reserve and enjoy other outdoor activities throughout the area.
1. Armstrong Redwood State Reserve
Within the Armstrong Redwood State Reserve is a visitor center, several picnic facilities, and self-guided nature walks. While visitors can drive through the Armstrong Redwood State Reserve, walking into the park for free from the park entrance’s parking lot is considered to be the best way of experiencing the dramatic effects of the grand, towering redwoods. No camping is allowed within the reserve, however, there is a the Bullfrog Pond Campground in the Austin Creek State Recreation Area, which uses the same entrance.
17000 Armstrong Woods Rd, Guerneville, CA 95446, Phone: 707-869-2015
2. Johnson's Beach
John’s Beach has been a summer tradition in Guerneville, California for around one hundred years. Its hospitality, amenities, and scenery has made it a popular destination for both visitors and locals. It is a large stretch of majestic redwoods and family-friendly pebble beach and provides an ideal area for playing in the cool Russian River, lounging on the beach, or camping. There is a roped-off pond for smaller children and beginner swimmers, as well as inner tubes and boats available for rent for more water fun. The snack bar offers ice cream, hot dogs, burgers, beer, wine, and more.
16217 First St, Guerneville, CA, 95446, Phone: 707-869-2022
3. Guerneville 5 & 10
Guerneville 5 & 10 has been a tradition along the Russian River since the year 1949. Situated in downtown Guerneville, it is a classic dime store that welcomes generations of fans. The shop offers a range of items from collectibles and Americana to toys and nostalgic candy. Guerneville 5 & 10 also provides visitors with much of what they may need to enjoy summertime on the river, such as clothes, towels, sunscreen, flip flops, river shoes, and baby floats to three-person boats. Guests can also find an extensive selection of greeting cards, knitting and crochet supplies, sewing supplies, canvas, paints, brushes, and much more.
16252 Main St, Guerneville, CA 95446, Phone: 707-869-3404
4. Korbel Champagne Cellars
The story of Korbel Champagne Cellars is a saga of two different enterprising families with old-world resourcefulness and pioneer spirits. These families envisioned the emerging opportunities from the country’s development during the nineteenth century. There is a Tasting Room, Wine Shop, and Deli open daily on property. Public tours of the winery are offered several times during the day on Wednesdays and the weekends during the summer and fall, and on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the winter and spring. Winery tours last around fifty minutes and include a look at the history museum and historic champagne cellars, followed by a tasting.
13250 River Rd, Guerneville, CA 95446, Phone: 707-824-7709
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5. SUP Odyssey
SUP Odyssey offer self-guided trips down river beginning at the Steelhead Beach Country Park. Trips ends at the Schoolhouse Campground. The down river trip is a total of 4.2 miles in length. Steelhead Beach is located at 9000 River Road, and there is a fee for parking. Guests can look for a truck with the SUP ODYSSEY signage at the beach, and trips include a shuttle back to the parking lot.
12600 River Rd, Guerneville, CA 95446, Phone: 415-497-0179
6. Porter-Bass Vineyard and Winery
Tastings and tours at the Porter-Bass Vineyard and Winery are offered daily my appointment. There is a fee for wine tasting, however, visitors can apply the tasting fee towards a purchase of wine. Unfortunately, the winery isn’t able to accommodate groups of more than eight people. The wines produced by Porter-Bass Vineyard and Winery are often described as elegant and balanced, and all wines are made at the vineyard. The Porter-Bass Vineyard is lucky to have a cooler climate that lets the grapes used in wines to grow and mature evenly, ensuring the balance in the wines.
11750 Mays Canyon Rd, Guerneville, CA 95446, Phone: 707-869-1475
7. Main Street Bistro
Main Street Bistros is the leading and longest running music and dining venue in California’s Sonoma County. The bistro boasts a relaxed jazzy ambiance and offers a diverse menu for lunch, dinner, and late night. The menu at Main Street Bistro features food with a northern California, Italian-inspired flare. Local fresh sourced ingredients are used in seasonal dishes, including ingredients from the restaurant’s own organic garden whenever possible. The bistro also offers signature cocktails, boutique varietals from wine country, and local craft beers from microbreweries. There is free entertainment on most nights and karaoke on Mondays.
16280 Main St, Guerneville, CA, Phone: 707-869-0501
8. Austin Creek SRA
The Austin Creek State Recreation Area encompasses around two and a half to three miles above the Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve. The recreation area is reached by the same entrance as the reserve. Austin Creek is made up of meadows, rolling hills, and open woodlands, a stark contrast to the primeval and dense redwood forest that lies below. Visitors can explore twenty miles of hiking trails boasting panoramic views. The recreation area is also home to the Bullfrog Pond Campground with twenty-three campsites. The campground doesn’t accommodate larger groups or vehicles with a length of more than twenty feet.
17000 Armstrong Woods Rd, Guerneville, CA 95446, Phone: 707-869-9177
9. Cooprider Studio Art Gallery
The Cooprider Studio Art Gallery in the town of Guerneville, California is a local art gallery situated in downtown Guerneville on Main Street. The gallery features works of art created by Cindy Hawkins and Karen Cooprider. Cooprider focuses on abstract paintings made on both canvas and metal. Hawkins focuses mostly on digital art created on acrylic surfaces and aluminum. The Cooprider Studio Art Gallery participates in the First Friday Art Walk in Guerneville each month, as well as occasionally hosts guest artists. Visitors can stop at the art gallery to view the unique works of art.
16216 Main St, Guerneville, CA 95446
10. Pegasus Theater Company
The Pegasus Theater Company is a nomadic theater company that performs shows in Guerneville and the surrounding towns throughout Sonoma County, while also working hard to preserve their roots in California’s lower river area. The Pegasus Theater Company is a non-profit performance group that was established in 1998 with a mission of performing thought-provoking shows reflecting, entertaining, and enriching, the region’s diverse community. Performances take place in various venues in and around the lower area of the Russian River. The theater company also offers classes and workshops designed to encourage locals to learn theatrical skills, and attend and support shows.
Phone: 707-583-2343
11. boon eat and drink
boon eat + drink in Guerneville, California is a modern bistro boasting a simple, but delicious menu. The menu consists of a variety of seasonal main entrees, salads, and small plates. The bistro offers local meats, fresh produce, and artisan cheeses, believing that great tasting food comes from the seasonal and fresh ingredients used to make it and doing much to these ingredients. Customers can also try a glass of wines from the Russian River region and microbrews from Mendocino County and Sonoma County. boon eat + drink supports the area’s local farms and businesses and uses primarily local organic ingredients.
16248 Main St, Guerneville, CA 95446, Phone: 707-869-0780
12. Big Bottom Market
Big Bottom Market is a delicious Guerneville cafe known for its signature award-winning biscuits, which received national acclaim when they were chosen as one of Oprah Winfrey's Favorite Things for 2016. The New American-style restaurant serves high-quality sandwiches, salads, and breakfast fare throughout the day in its rustic-chic space, which also serves craft coffee and wines by the glass or by the bottle. Sandwich offerings are all crafted with local and organic ingredients, ranging from classic Cubanos and decadent craft grilled cheeses to high-quality vegetarian fare such as smashed chickpea and artichoke sandwiches with feta and garlic aioli. Biscuits are served up plain with butter and jam, drenched in mascarpone and honey, or prepared cleverly with toppings such as smoked salmon or black forest ham.
16228 Main St, Guerneville, CA 95446. Phone: 707-604-7295
13. Korbel Delicatessen and Market
The Korbel Delicatessen and Market is located at the Korbel California Champagne Cellars nestled amongst numerous redwood trees. Many people consider the deli and market as one of the Russian River’s best kept secrets. Guests can take a break and relax while they enjoy the friendly and casual atmosphere and award-winning, tasty food. The menu at the Korbel Delicatessen and Market includes gourmet sandwiches, and assortment of special, prepared items, and handcrafted salads. There are also wine snacks and box lunches. Larger groups pressed on time can call ahead. Epicurean gifts and gourmet cookbooks are also available for purchase.
13250 River Rd, Guerneville, CA 95446, Phone: 707-824-7313
14. Guerneville Bank Club
Visitors can experience pie, ice cream, design, art, history, and more at the Guerneville Bank Club. Chile Pies Baking Company produces freshly-baked pies, such as chocolate peanut butter, apricot cherry, and strawberry rhubarb among several others. Nimble and Finn’s Ice Cream offers handmade, organic flavors, as well as some unique options. The Russian River Historical Society provide a look at the interesting past of the area, while Commerce Fine Goods offers guests with a wide range of items, from clothing to home decor. The Guerneville Bank Club is also home to a photo booth in its original bank vault.
16290 Main St, Guerneville CA, 95446, Phone: 707-666-9411
