5 Fun Things to Do in Monte Rio

Monte Rio Beach, Monte Rio

Perched on the banks of Sonoma County's Russian River, the hamlet of Monte Rio has been welcoming travelers since the 1870s.

Tucked away on the north end of the 10-mile Bohemian Highway, Monte Rio visitors are immediately greeted by a 1950s-style neon sign that marks this small town as a “vacation wonderland.” While visitors began flocking here by train in the 1870s, they started coming in droves in the mid-1900s when the era’s Big Bands played in the town’s outdoor pavilion. 

Today, Monte Rio is still one of Sonoma County’s most popular towns for its acclaimed wineries, outdoor adventures, family-friendly beaches, and more.

Here are five of the many fun things to do during your stay in Monte Rio:

1. Bike the Region’s Back Roads

The Monte Rio Bridge crosses the Russian River in Sonoma County and is the northern end of the Bohemian Highway
Monte Rio Bridge, the northern end of the Bohemian Highway

Cycling offers one of the most eco-friendly ways to enjoy the beautiful scenery surrounding Monte Rio. You might leave Highway 116 just south of town on Cazadero Highway, which runs through woods alongside Austin Creek (experienced cyclists can opt to continue all the way to Cazadero and beyond). You could also ride along the Bohemian Highway to Occidental, stopping at Sonoma Zipline Adventures to zipline through redwood trees. Or head west on Highway 116, following the Russian River until it meets the Pacific Ocean at Jenner, and then go tidepooling at Goat Rock Beach.

Don’t have bikes with you? Russian River Cycle Service in nearby Forestville will deliver hybrid or road bikes to Monte Rio for a small fee. Each bike comes with a helmet, pump, basket, and enough locks to secure the group; at the end of your ride you just lock the bikes and you’re on your way. Find more options for bike rentals and tours.

Learn more ways to travel sustainably in Sonoma County.

2. Relax on a Beautiful Beach

Trees surround the Russian River at Monte Rio Community Beach where people enjoy the water in Sonoma County
Monte Rio Community Beach

Situated on a large bend of the Russian River at the Monte Rio Bridge, Monte Rio Community Beach offers calm waters, a long and lovely beach on both sides of the river, picnic area, volleyball and horseshoe pits, and a feel-good atmosphere. This family- and dog-friendly inlet is ADA accessible and backdropped by soaring redwood-covered hills. During the summer, boat and canoe rentals are available as well as food and drink concessions. 

Dive into our top water safety tips.

3. Hit the Links at Northwood Golf Club

Northwood Golf Club is surrounded by redwood trees in Monte Rio, Sonoma County
Northwood Golf Club

Ranked by Golf World Magazine as one of the top courses in the nation, Northwood Golf Club is an enticing par-36, nine-hole course on the outskirts of Monte Rio. The course was designed in the 1920s by Dr. Alister MacKenzie, noted for his work at Augusta National and Cypress Point. Nestled alongside the famed Russian River and backdropped by redwood giants, these greens offer prime golfing views as well as pristine landscaping. The course also features a pro shop that carries brand-name apparel and equipment as well as on-site dining at the Northwood Restaurant and Bar.

Discover more golf courses in Sonoma Wine Country.

4. Go Skateboarding at Russian River Skate Park

Located inside Creekside Park, this state-of-the-art skateboarding facility offers ramps, ledges, stairs, half-pipes, a snake run, and more, allowing skaters to practice their sport under fun and safe conditions. Scooters are also allowed here, and the free park is open year-round. 

While there, be sure to make time to explore the rest of Creekside Park, which features a community-run farm and garden encircled by a paved 1/3-mile trail, before grabbing a pick-me-up at the adjacent Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen

5. Savor New Flavors at Monte Rio Restaurants

The interior of the cozyLightwave Coffee and Kitchen in Monte Rio, Sonoma County
Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen

Speaking of pick-me-ups, Monte Rio offers several can’t-miss eateries. The Boho Club at the Gatsby-themed Boho Manor serves up an array of hearty dishes, like rosemary lamb shanks and savory ribeyes topped with green peppercorn sauce and crispy leeks. The speakeasy-style restaurant also features a dog-friendly menu and live jazz every Saturday. A local favorite, the Rio Café & Grill is a haven for comfort food and drink. Their menu items are crafted with local produce, and their ambiance reinforces Sonoma County’s value of community built around connection.

Find more restaurants in Monte Rio.

Uncover other fun things to do as well as hotels and lodgings in Monte Rio.


Written by Sonoma Insider Suzie Rodriguez

You Might Also Like

a visitor taking a shelter dog out for the day in sonoma county
Insider Tips

Have fun, do good! Take a break, feel better! Travel to Sonoma County for any of the reasons people visit…

visitor paddle boarding the petaluma river in sonoma county
Insider Tips

The word is out: Sonoma County is the place to be in 2025. Travel writers can’t get enough of the…

a person enjoying a cup of coffee on a bench at a park in downtown petaluma
Insider Tips

Set along the banks of the Petaluma River, the exciting town of Petaluma blends small-town warmth with a vibrant atmosphere…

pouring beer at out a tap at russian river brewery
Insider Tips

Nestled in the heart of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa is a hub that offers the perfect blend of urban and…

Movie Prop Car On Display at Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Occidental
Insider Tips

As you meander the wee 60-yard block of downtown, strolling its wooden sidewalks past 19th-century, false-front buildings, you’ll feel as…

Wingo, California, Sonoma County’s Ghost Town, photographed by @chrisjkam
Insider Tips

Traveling mindfully to Sonoma County allows us to have experiences that can be savored in a place focused on and…

Insider Tips

Your bags are packed, and (at last!) you’re on your way to Sonoma County. The only way to make this…

Insider Tips

As an 18-year-old in Sonoma County, your options for fun activities can seem limited. You can drive, sure, but you…

Insider Tips

The magical Sonoma Coast is surprisingly sunny and warm in the winter, beckoning with succulent crab feasts in Bodega Bay and exhilarating…

Couple Discovering the Sonoma County Coast
Insider Tips

Set in the heart of Northern California’s renowned wine country, Sonoma County is a magical place for those who want…

Insider Tips

Nestled against the Russian River in northern Sonoma County, Healdsburg holds the charms of a small, agricultural community with the…

mural of a chicken and petaluma CA
Insider Tips

Formally known as the “Egg Basket of the World” for its bustling egg industry in the early 20th century, Petaluma…

Insider Tips

There are plenty of options for touring and tasting Sonoma County wine country, from tasting-room appointments to sit-down wine pairings…

Sonoma Valley AVA
Insider Tips

The lush Sonoma Valley unfurls between two mountain ranges along Sonoma County’s eastern edge. Abundance is the norm here, offering…

Insider Tips

Settled in the mid-1800s, the town of Geyserville (pop. 861) retains the ambience of a bygone era. Close to the banks of the…

Insider Tips

The California Coast is one of the most iconic and scenic coasts in the country. The coastal stretch north of…

Insider Tips

Follow Highway 116 west as it winds its way toward the Pacific coast, and discover the tiny hamlet of Duncans Mills…

Insider Tips

For your exploring pleasure, here’s a focus on Sonoma County’s northern reaches, home to rolling hills and small fertile valleys,…

Insider Tips

While driving on Pacific Coast Highway 1 through The Sea Ranch in northern Sonoma County, slow down and gaze toward the…

Insider Tips

Nestled into craggy bluffs at the junction of the Gualala River and the Pacific Ocean in Northern California, the town…

THIS IS WINE COUNTRY.

Share your experience using #SonomaCounty or #LifeOpensUp