Charmingly rustic, the town of Guerneville (pop. 4,534) mixes towering redwoods, cool river waters, laid-back attitudes, and Sonoma Wine Country delights in a pleasing blend that makes it a popular destination, as well as an established gay vacation resort.
Guerneville has always been a vacation getaway for San Franciscans — by train in the 1870s to the 1930s, and by car through the 1950s. In the 1970s it became a welcoming resort area for Bay Area gay men and lesbians.
Today, visitors stay in cozy cabins, uniquely rustic resorts, campgrounds, vacation rentals, and other lodgings. They can choose to eat at trendy restaurants, food stands, or hip cafes reminiscent of the flower-power era.
And with more than 50 wineries within a 20-minute drive, wine tasting in the cool-climate Russian River Valley wine region is definitely a must for wine lovers.
With canoes, kayaks, inner tubes, umbrellas, and beach chairs available for rent, Johnson's Beach provides the main river access in downtown Guerneville, within walking distance of restaurants and shops.
Visit the awe-inspiring, 805-acre Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, two miles north of Guerneville's Main Street. Walk among the serene, majestic beauty of California coast redwoods, some of the world's tallest living things. It can be a transforming experience.
Trip Ideas
With nearly 6,000 acres - featuring 20 miles of trails that run through meadows and woodlands and across rolling hills - Austin Creek State Recreation Area is a recreational dream. August 2020 Update...
Many a thirsty traveler has undoubtedly emerged from a winding, redwood-shaded drive up Highway 116 to cross the Russian River and arrive in downtown Guerneville, only to wonder, 'So, where are all...
Follow the winding roads along Sonoma County's backroads to discover 10 of the best getaway resorts and lodges in the Russian River area. Enjoy the laid-back, delightful blend of cool water, towering...
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INIZI: beginnings in Italian. The name INIZI came from our belief that a bottle of wine begins in the vineyard. A team of two couples and four friends. Wine producers of the hard to find, neglected…
The Korbel Winery was established by Bohemia-born Francis Korbel and his brothers, Joseph and Anton, in 1882 and is the oldest continually operating champagne house in North America. Nestled in…
Nine miles from the ocean, in a saddle between two ridge tops sits Porter-Bass Vineyard & Winery. The Russian River gently forms an oxbow around these ridges allowing the fog to drift to the foot of…
Equality Vines is the world’s first cause wine portfolio dedicated to equality for all people. It’s a perfect pairing for label co-founders Matt Grove and Jim Obergefell, a coupling of their shared…