The geographical
center of the Russian River valley west of Highway 101
is Guerneville, a small town that offers an
inexpensive alternative to the more deluxe resort
towns in Napa and Sonoma counties.
What Guerneville has is the Russian River
atmosphere: thick forests, river recreation, golf, and
several of Sonoma's more interesting wineries including
Korbel Champagne Cellars. Guerneville, however,
has its own charm, with quaint storefronts, a lovely new
town plaza, and an historic bridge open to pedestrians
and bicyclists.
The prime outdoor attraction is
Armstrong Woods State Reserve, a 752-acre stand of
old growth redwoods, surrounded by Austin Creek State
Recreation Area, with developed and primitive
(walk-in) campsites and miles of hiking trails in 4,236
acres of forest and scrub lands. Armstrong Woods has
level self-guided trails through the redwood groves, and
offers biking and picknicking as well. Armstrong Woods
Pack Station offers horseback trips of up to three
days. It's located in the State Reserve.
Guerneville Hotels
Guerneville has several motels and a
selection of B&B homes for overnight stays.
Creekside Inn & Resort (707-869-3623) gives
you a choice of rooms in the B and B house or a
housekeeping cottage. The resort has a swimming pool,
fireplaces and exceptionally low rates.
The Estate is a B&B with ten
rooms in a 1922 mission revival building in the redwoods,
with antique furnishings, fireplaces, pool, whirlpool and
gardens.
If you want to have quantities of Champagne
on hand for breakfast, you couldn't be nearer to the
source than by staying at Ridenhour Ranch House
Inn (707-887-1033). Next to the Korbel Winery on River
Road, this 1906 Victorian farmhouse B&B has a garden,
antique furnishings and library.
For those who prefer the anonymity of a
motel and the amenities of a resort, inexpensive River
Lane Resort on the river with housekeeping units
(707-869-2323) or Brookside Lodge (707-869-2874)
with motel rooms and several housekeeping cottages should
fill the bill.
Camping
Johnson's Beach Resort
(707-869-2022) is at 16241 First Street, with 50 RV
and tent sites with electrical hookups, showers, laundry
and picnic area. There are also housekeeping and standard
motel units at the resort.
River Bend Resort has riverfront
tent and RV areas, with complete facilities and
recreation, laundry and store, and a sport court/dance
pad. Popular for fishing; open all year. 800-619-6655,
11820 River Road.
Schoolhouse Canyon Park, open
seasonally, has campsites in the redwoods and private
river frontage across the road. 707-869-2311, 12600 River
Road.
More Information on
Russian River Country
Russian River Getaways
16201 First Street, P.O. Box 1673, Guerneville, CA
95446
800-433-6673 or (707) 869-4560
Russian River Getaways offers a wide variety of vacation
homes for rent. Homes range from deluxe homes with many
amenities -- fully equipped kitchens, spas, steam baths,
saunas, pools, patios, and gardens, with riverside and
hillide locations -- to smaller first class cottages on
or close to the river. The homes are located in the
Russian River basin, from Forestville through Rio Nido,
Guerneville, and Monte Rio, to Cazadero and Duncans Mills
near the coast.
