The 10 Best Things to Do in Guerneville, United States

December 26, 2017 Darleen Reid

Guerneville (/ˈɡɜːrnvɪl/ GURN-vill, formerly /ˈɡɜːrni.vɪl/) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, California, United States. The town is historically known for the logging community, formed in the late 1800s. Guerneville is also known for its natural environment, liberal atmosphere, and proximity to wine-tasting and redwood forests. It was founded by the Guerne family in the 1850s.
Restaurants in Guerneville

1. Armstrong Redwood State Reserve

17020 Armstrong Woods Rd, Guerneville, CA 95446-9587 +1 707-869-2015
Excellent
83%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 1 reviews

Armstrong Redwood State Reserve

A nature reserve that boasts soaring redwood trees.

Reviewed By James A

I think of Armstrong as Muir Woods without the crowds... or tour buses... or reservations. It's a quiet local park on anything other than a summer weekend, which is how a redwood forest should be experienced. After all, these are trees that are taller than skyscrapers and have been standing in silence since the time of Charlemagne.

There are basic flat trails for simple strolling that loop around the best of these groves for easy ambles with small children. More serious walkers can take longer trails that climb into the surrounding oak forest. And for the real enthusiasts, I recommend spending a day hiking up into the Austin Creek SRA. The wilderness views of the Sonoma backcountry go on for miles. Do start early and bring plenty of water.

The park has a simple gift shop / nature museum that is worth visiting. There are also ample picnic tables and group sites, if you bring your own lunch.

2. Sonoma Canopy Tours

6250 Bohemian Hwy, Occidental, CA 95465-9105
Excellent
89%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 528 reviews

Sonoma Canopy Tours

Sonoma Canopy Tours is located in Occidental, CA - approximately 1.5 hours north of San Francisco and 30 minutes west of Santa Rosa in the Sonoma County. Sonoma Canopy Tours offers two courses - both course feature 7 ziplines, 2 sky bridges, stairs, and end with a rappel to the forest floor. The Forest Flight Course is offered during the day & night flights are available. The Tree Tops Course features a longer zipline and is perched above the Forest Flight Course.

Reviewed By RoseKala15 - Roseville, California

We came out here to do this for my fiance's birthday. It was so much fun! We did the tree top tour and the views on some of the zip lines were amazing. The guides, Nathan and Bryan were awesome!! We felt totally safe and not nervous at all. They had jokes and were knowledgeable and made us feel comfortable. The whole experience was totally worth the drive and the money.

3. Northwood Golf Club

19400 Highway 116, Monte Rio, CA 95462-9716 +1 800-330-1167
Excellent
48%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 43 reviews

Northwood Golf Club

Built in 1928, this 9-hole golf course, nestled among majestic redwoods, is a classic.

Reviewed By mrt1955 - Healdsburg, California

I think this is the prettiest golf course in Sonoma County. The redwoods are spectacular and the course is always in pristine condition. The 9 hole layout is quite a challenge...the redwoods provide quite an obstacle and the course design is extraordinary.

4. Korbel Champagne Cellars

13250 River Rd, Guerneville, CA 95446-9538 +1 707-887-2294
Excellent
65%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 450 reviews

Korbel Champagne Cellars

Reviewed By Josh R - Dallas, Texas

On the Russian River Road sits the Korbel Champagne Cellars, which should be a must on everyone's trip to California's wine country. In addition to tasty champagne, Korbel is rich is history and takes you on an educational guided tour through the history of Korbel and champagne production. You'll learn how champagne is made and how the process has been improved over the years. If you love champagne, don't miss Korbel. You'll be glad you stopped.

5. Iron Horse Vineyards

9786 Ross Station Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95472-2179 +1 707-887-1507
Excellent
73%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 246 reviews

Iron Horse Vineyards

Reviewed By June K - Walnut Creek, California

Appointment only so don't make the drive there without having a reservation or you'll be disappointed... We went there the day after Christmas... Beautiful day to sit outside with a view of rolling hills of vineyards, a geyser from Geyserville in the distance, and a beautiful glass of cab to ship. They have the different flights to taste. That night for dinner we shared a bottle of their best cabernet. It was worth every expensive ship!

6. Rio Theatre

20396 Bohemian Hwy, Monte Rio, CA 95462 +1 707-865-0913
Excellent
68%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 15 reviews

Rio Theatre

Reviewed By missgem27 - San Jose

Whenever we're in Bodega Bay, we try to make a stop by the Rio Theatre to watch a movie and enjoy the unique ambience of this theatre. The murals painted on the inside walls of the theatre, the comfy seats, decent surround sound quality, the food, and the friendly staff always keep us coming back. It's just a lovely, quirky slice of life in the middle of nowhere, U.S.A. And we love it!

7. Johnson's Beach

16217 First St, Bottom of Church Street, Guerneville, CA 95446-8809 +1 707-869-2022
Excellent
48%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
6%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 80 reviews

Johnson's Beach

For nearly 100 years, Johnson's Beach has been a Guerneville summer tradition whose beauty, amenities, and hospitality make it a favorite destination for locals and visitors alike. With its spacious stretch of pebble beach and jagged blue skyline of majestic redwoods, it is the ideal spot for lounging and playing along the cool current of the Russian River. Johnson's fun, family-friendly beach has something for everyone. The roped-off kiddie pool allows toddlers and beginning swimmers to enjoy the river safely, and the summer dam provides deeper waters for more adventurous swimmers. For the ultimate in kicking back or playing on the water, inner tubes are our biggest crowd-pleasers. They can be rented for a whole day of floating, spinning, and splashing. We also rent boats for extra river fun and exploration, plus umbrellas and beach chairs so you can recline in shaded comfort. Our snack bar serves affordable traditional summer favorites like burgers, hot dogs, and ice cream. And you can top off your lunch with a frosty cold beer from our Boathouse while kicking back in a beach chair and listening to oldies streaming from the speakers.

Reviewed By MKjourney - San Francisco, California

We decided to do a day trip to Johnson's Beach to attend the festival on Sunday (Blues Day). Suggestion: Arrive early if you have General Admissions (GA) tickets and want to sit near the stage and/or get a nearby parking space without paying for parking. When we arrived at 7:45am there were a least 150 people already in the GA line. Our reserved seats were numbered so we arrived early to get a free parking space. There were several free parking spaces available. We parked less than a block away from the venue. If you want to spend the night in the area, make lodging reservations as early as possible. Prices escalate... this appears to be the event of the year for the location.

We liked the venue. However, a couple of suggestions: If you want seats close to the stage reserve seats near the center and at least three rows from the stage. (we were able to move to the third row). Your view will not be blocked by the people dancing near the stage and you will be able to take pictures of the performers. Bring a rug for your feet...your chair will be on top of rocks/dirt/sand. Thankfully, we brought food and drinks in plastic containers....prices were outrageous. Typical outdoor festival vendors.

We enjoyed the blues with the blues lovers around us, it's a pleasant drive from the SF Bay Area early in the morning, nice fruit stands to stop at on the way back....that made it a great outing for us. Yes, we intend to return depending on the line up of performers. Next time, we may try to rent a boat with friends so we can sit on river and listen to the performers. ( negative, the view of performers will not be as good).

8. Guerneville 5 & 10

16252 Main St, Guerneville, CA 95446-8300 +1 707-869-3404
Excellent
79%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 19 reviews

Guerneville 5 & 10

Reviewed By SantaRosaCAKim - Santa Rosa CA

Great place to explore while in Guerneville. All sorts of saltwater taffy. Kind of a step back in time.

9. Gracianna Winery

6914 Westside Rd, Healdsburg, CA 95448-8354 +1 707-486-3771
Excellent
93%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 200 reviews

Gracianna Winery

Gracianna Winery is a family-owned business that symbolizes everyday gratitudes and graciousness in entertaining because our belief is that successfully hosting a special meal with friends and family is an everlasting circle that fills all our lives. Visit our vineyard tasting room to sample our award-winning wines, and see the only vineyard in the world where the vines wear jewels -- medallions featuring the names of Gracianna Medallion Wine Club™ members. Please note the vineyard tasting room is subject to a seasonal closure from December 1, 2017 to March 30, 2018. We are open year round for wine purchase and pick ups; please call or write.

Reviewed By winetravelers2014 - Erie, Pennsylvania

When we made our tasting appointment , we knew we were visiting a small winery with a simple tasting room and pleasant patio area. We were pleasantly surprised by the lovely confirmation letter which was very welcoming, listed the several wines we would try and encourage us to bring some snacks to enjoy with the wines on the patio overlooking the vineyard.
Our host, Cyndee, could not have been more welcoming and enjoyable. We tried a range of wines from a sparking cuvee , sauv. blanc , some chards and pinot niors ending with a zin. All were very nice.
Overall a very enjoyable, casual afternoon experience and a pleasant surprise.

10. Rubicon Adventures

9743 Hwy 116, Forestville, CA 95436-9407
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 27 reviews

Rubicon Adventures

Stand Up Paddleboard Sonoma County, Whitewater Rafting. Rubicon Adventures believes in direct passenger participation in the river adventure. River trips are a great fun way to access wilderness and to teach and challenge you with a new experience. Anyone in reasonably good physical condition will enjoy a whitewater voyage. There is very little "hard" work, especially when many hands are involved. We offer whitewater rafting trips on the American River, Trinity River, Eel River and Cache Creek.New for 2012:Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP)trips on the Russian River. Introduction: Paddle Board 101. We spend 1/2 day learning about paddle board, skill development, strokes, turns, safety and rescue. and a 2 hour paddle on the verdant waters near Wohler Bridge on the Russian River. Our instructors are ACA trained, WSUPA certified and expert SUP paddlers/surfers.New for 2013: Muli-Sport Adventures in Belize including Sea Kayaking, SUP and Diving.

Reviewed By Wrybread2 - San Francisco, California

I've had a few lessons with John from Rubicon and I couldn't recommend him any higher. He's one of those guys with a natural ability to teach, and he took me from a floundering ultra novice who needed big fat boards to be stable to...MoreThanks for your review, I will forward to John, he will be happy to see your review. John is not only an excellent teacher he is, a superb athlete.

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