Surrounded by ancient redwoods in the heart of Sonoma County and just a few miles inland from the spectacular Sonoma Coast, the Russian River area invites you to explore, play or just relax. This region has embraced travelers since the railroads linked it to San Francisco in 1877. Today, charming towns like Forestville, Rio Nido, and Guerneville welcome visitors to their local shops and galleries. Or maybe you're looking for a cup of coffee, a homemade pastry, or a farm-to-table lunch in Monte Rio, Cazadero, and Duncans Mills – the whole county is known for great wines and locally made foods.
Hike through the majestic Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. Or cycle roads that are fit for beginners or professionals. If paddling down the river in a kayak or canoe is on your must-do list, make sure to check out Sonoma County's safety tips for water activities here. Together, we can protect and preserve the beauty and natural resources of Sonoma County for generations to come. Check out our page on Sustainable Travel, and look over the Leave No Trace Seven Principles.
Trip Ideas
Whether paddling on the river, doing yoga or catching waves on the ocean, a Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) can be meditative, calming, core-strengthening, balance-building and most of all, fun!A SUP is also a great way to…
Itinerary: Discover Hidden Gems in Sonoma County Make your way to Sonoma County for this two-day itinerary that introduces you locally beloved treasures and experiences that were, until now, little known to visitors. Discover Sonoma…
There are plenty of options for touring and tasting Sonoma County wine country, from tasting-room appointments to sit-down wine pairings with chef-prepared gourmet nibbles. However, it can be difficult to a tasting and tour hosted…
Follow Highway 116 west as it winds its way toward the Pacific coast, and discover the tiny hamlet of Duncans Mills (pop. 175) in a wide, flat area near the Russian River. Because it’s only five miles…
Whether you want accommodations with historical charm, modern luxury, or a combination of both, you can find it in the Russian River Valley. The region’s wide variety of hotel and lodging options include Craftsman cabins,…
Since its founding in the 1850s, Guerneville has been a logging town, a late-19th-century vacation destination for wealthy San Franciscans, a popular resort and concert venue from the 1930s through the 1960s, and, more recently,…
Forestville’s motto is “where the river meets the redwoods,” but it may as well be “where the river and the redwoods meet the vineyards.” The road out of town leads directly into an empire of redwood forest…
Local Businesses
Acorn Shop, Duncans Mills
Duncans Mills
Acre Pizza – Petaluma
Petaluma
Acre Pizza – The Barlow
Sebastopol
Adobe Road Winery
Petaluma
Alchemia Gallery
Petaluma
Alphabet Soup Thrift Store
Petaluma
Ambix Spirits
Sebastopol
Americana Restaurant Sebastopol
Sebastopol
Ananda
Monte Rio
Andy’s Produce Market
Sebastopol
Angela’s Ice Cream
Petaluma
Angela’s Ice Cream Forestville
Forestville
