Cloverdale, the northernmost town in Sonoma County, is an authentic slice of small-town America, with a walkable downtown, locally owned shops and restaurants, 19th-century homes, and a calm stretch of the Russian River, all surrounded by mountains and vineyards. Set right off Highway 101, 20 minutes north of Healdsburg, the quieter, more rural Cloverdale is an ideal homebase for exploring Alexander Valley and northern Dry Creek Valley wineries, as well as Lake Sonoma and the Anderson Valley.
Along Cloverdale’s mile-long main street, Citrus Fair Drive, you can discover the Cloverdale History Center and Museum, catch a performance at the Cloverdale Performing Arts Center, and every summer in the central plaza, check out the town’s free, family-friendly concert series, Friday Night Live. Other annual events in Cloverdale include the vibrant Cloverdale Citrus Fair and Parade in February, September’s Cloverdale Car & Motorcycle Show, and in October, the Asti Tour de Vine bicycle race.
Winding its way from Sonoma County’s eastern border, Highway 128 offers a delightful way to explore the beauty and bounty…
Walk around — and in some cases on, under, or through — unique and colorful artwork in Sonoma County, where the towns…
Named after an enterprising pioneer by the name of Cyrus Alexander, the Alexander Valley was considered a better place to…
With a grape-growing history going back 140 years, the compact Dry Creek Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) includes more than…
Located in the picturesque Alexander Valley near Lake Sonoma, Cloverdale, Sonoma County’s northernmost town, is a perfect base to explore…
For more than 130 years, travelers have come to the Russian River area in Sonoma County to swim, paddle, hike,…
The northern Sonoma County town of Cloverdale, on the banks of the Russian River, makes a great start to your visit…
“Like islands in the clouds,” is how grape growers describe the view from Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak in the morning, when much…
Basking in the sun like a lizard on a rock, Sonoma County’s Rockpile AVA is perched high above Dry Creek…
This portion of our guide to the Russian River Valley follows the lazily meandering river on its journey through northern Sonoma County as…
Where to Stay
Cloverdale, California
In Cloverdale, lodging options range from refined to rustic. The elegant Pinschower Inn offers a luxurious bed-and-breakfast stay inside a beautifully restored Queen Anne Victorian mansion, while vacation rentals like the four-bedroom, three-bath Starling’s Rest provide a private hillside escape with a large outdoor pool. Just south of town, the 60-acre Cloverdale/Healdsburg Campground has an array of cabins, as well as tent and RV sites, all with fire and barbecue pits. Use our website to find Cloverdale lodging that suits your needs.
Things to Do
There are plenty of fun things to do in Cloverdale, from exploring the local arts and culture scene to going hiking, canoeing, and wine tasting. Meet the locals and soak up the small-town vibe at annual events like February’s Cloverdale Citrus Fair and Parade, the weekly summer concert series Friday Night Live, or the Sunday morning Cloverdale Farmers Market, held from April through November.
Outdoor Activities
Cloverdale River Park, Cloverdale, California
In Cloverdale, outdoor adventures begin just a few minutes from downtown. Set beside the Russian River, Cloverdale River Park is a popular spot for swimming, birdwatching, and path-walking, and features a launch point for canoes and kayaks. In the nearby Clover Springs Preserve, several hiking paths loop through 250 acres of oak woodland, grassland, and chapparal, as well as wildflowers in spring and summer. For a blend of local history, scenery, and fresh air, Russian River Railbikes invites you to pedal along former train tracks between Cloverdale and the river. For more outdoor activities in Cloverdale, see our guide to the Russian River Valley: North.
Arts & Culture
Cloverdale’s arts and culture scene makes it a dynamic hub for creativity in Sonoma County. Every two years, the Cloverdale Sculpture Trail transforms Citrus Fair Drive into an open-air gallery of large-scale works by regional artists. (Follow the Northern Sonoma County Sculpture Art Trail from Geyserville into Cloverdale with this curated itinerary.) The Cloverdale History Center preserves more than 65,000 artifacts through engaging exhibits and events, while the Gould-Shaw House Museum, an 1870s Gothic Revival cottage listed on the National Register of Historic Places, offers a vivid glimpse of turn-of-the-20th-century life alongside Pomo basketry and artifacts. Year-round performances at the Cloverdale Performing Arts Center bring theater, music, and comedy to an intimate stage, and during the summer, the Cloverdale Arts Alliance keeps the energy high with its popular Friday Night Live Concerts.
Vineyards and Wine Tasting
Alexander Valley wine growing region in Sonoma County, California
Cloverdale is located at the junction of three American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). Alexander Valley is home to the historic J. Rickards Winery, where some vines date back to the early 1900s, while Dry Creek Valley includes the hillside Fritz Underground Winery and its wine cave. The remote, sprawling Pine Mountain–Cloverdale Peak AVA is largely devoted to Cabernet Sauvignon, and its BobDog Wines at Sky Pine Vineyards is the highest-elevation winery in Sonoma County. Other opportunities for wine tasting in Cloverdale include the 100-acre Blue Rock Vineyard, known for its multi-course vintner’s lunches, and Kelley & Young Wines, which has a tasting room set in downtown Cloverdale.
Cloverdale Dining
The food scene in Cloverdale is all local, all the time, with cuisine ranging from Italian to Mexican to Thai and sushi. Notable Cloverdale restaurants include Plank Coffee, a hip, friendly spot known for its house-roasted coffees and fresh pastries, and retro-cool Pick’s Roadside, first opened in 1923 and fully renovated in 2026, featuring hearty burgers, soft-serve ice cream and Sonoma County wines. The Beet Restaurant & Wine Shop is a cozy, romantic farm-to-table spot, while the laid-back Wolf House Brewing Company, features a copper-clad bar, hearty pub menu, and seasonal rotation of in-house beers.
Local Cloverdale Businesses
101 Thai Way
Cloverdale
Bella Moda Hair Studio
Cloverdale
Blue Rock Vineyard
Cloverdale
BobDog Wines & Sky Pine Vineyards
Cloverdale
Bolt Fabric + Home
Cloverdale
Cloverdale Arts Alliance
Cloverdale
Cloverdale City Park
Cloverdale
Cloverdale Farmers’ Market
Cloverdale
Cloverdale Healdsburg Campground
Cloverdale
Cloverdale History Center
Cloverdale
Cloverdale House Inn
Cloverdale