Guerneville California

Guerneville California Information

Located a short distance west of Highway 101 along the Russian River, and easily accessible to the Pacific coast, the Sonoma County town of Guerneville provides visitors with a bevy of beautiful vistas, a full gamut of activities, good places to eat, and some of the best wine-tasting in the area.

This small tourist town is picturesque and friendly, providing a vibrant downtown area for guests who are passing through and, for those who choose to stay awhile, plenty of room to roam in the surrounding hillsides and at the river.

Make your first stop Guerneville's old-fashioned Main Street. You'll be enchanted by the small-town atmosphere here. Shop for souvenirs, grab a goody at the local bakery, choose some candy from the 5&10, or enjoy a meal at one of the town's restaurants, where you can select from a variety of ethnic delights. At night, you can head to the sports bar, enjoy a microbrew at the local brew pub, or take in some live theater at the local repertory company.

When you're ready to enjoy some outdoor Guerneville activities, head to the Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve and the Austin Creek State Recreation Area. Both accessed from the same location, these two areas cover nearly 7,000 acres. At Armstrong, visitors enjoy magnificent giant 300-foot-high redwoods, an outdoor amphitheater, self-guided hiking trails, and an opportunity to picnic in the amazing Russian River Valley. The Austin Creek Recreation Area offers 20 miles of hiking and equestrian trails, wildflower preserves, a chance to view a variety of animals and birds, and campsites near the clear waters of the creek.

Johnson's Beach and Resort is within easy walking distance of Guerneville's downtown area. Open seven days a week from mid-May to early October, Johnson's Beach rents canoes, kayaks, paddleboats, inner tubes, beach umbrellas, and sand chairs for your convenience. Campgrounds and rustic cabins are available for lodging. In existence since World War I, Johnson's beach and resort attracts visitors looking for a Sonoma County bargain coupled with tons of fun. In addition, Johnson's sponsors many special events throughout the year, including The Russian River Blues Festival and Jazz on the River.

Another annual festival, The Russian River Food and Wine Fest, offers "all day tasting, sampling and marketplace celebration with cheese makers, chefs, wine makers, farmers, shopkeepers, cookbook authors, bread bakers, resort proprietors, baristas and more" on a glorious day each September at the peak of harvest season.

Guerneville lodging is really quite varied. From small resorts to lodges and inns to cottages and campgrounds, Guerneville accommodations can fit all budgets. Best of all, the scenery is a treat for the eyes.

Guerneville restaurants provide lots of different kinds of cuisine. You'll find delis, pizza joints, coffee shops, and a small selection of ethnic restaurants like Mexican or Italian.

Of course, if you've come for the wine, you won't be disappointed. Guerneville and the Russian River Valley boast about 50 vineyards, both large and small. Check out the great Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs that have made this portion of Sonoma County so famous with wine connoisseurs.