Northern California draws tons of visitors with its rugged Pacific Coast, its dense redwood forests, its scenic wine country, and its delightfully charming small towns. For nature enthusiasts and lovers of the great outdoors, there is nothing quite like a getaway to the little Bohemian town of Guerneville, a hidden gem that quite literally offers a breath of fresh air and plenty of things to do for a Small Town Getaway.

Guerneville is an unincorporated town located along the Russian River in Sonoma County. Known for its redwood forests, early indigenous people spent summers here, calling this place “Ceola,” meaning “shady place.” The town was officially founded in the late 1800s and was initially called “Stumptown” - due to extensive logging in the region - before being named Guerneville in honor of one of its founders. Over the decades, Guerneville became a popular vacation destination for wealthy residents in nearby San Francisco. These days, this unique rustic community, with a population of just over 4,500, exudes the kind of small-town charm that delights visitors with its towering redwoods, sophisticated but laid-back atmosphere, scenic river, and proximity to Sonoma Wine Country.

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Is Guerneville Worth Visiting?

Guerneville is a funky, historic little town with a thriving food and wine culture, natural beauty, and an easygoing, fun-loving attitude that makes it an idyllic place for a relaxing Northern California getaway.

If you have never heard of this tiny town, maybe the important question is, “What is Guerneville known for?” The answer is, more than anything, nature. There are activities in Guerneville for everyone. Nature lovers can enjoy endless hours exploring the redwood forest and the Russian River, from hiking and cycling to kayaking, canoeing, paddle-boarding, swimming, and more. Downtown Guerneville is full of fun and unique shops, restaurants, and cafes, as well as mini-golf and day spas where you can pamper yourself with massages, facials, and body treatments. You can even visit an abandoned amusement park (with the property owner’s permission.) If you ask us, whether you live nearby and take a day trip to Guerneville or plan a multi-day escape, this town is absolutely worth visiting! So, keep reading, and let us be your Guerneville travel guide.

How To Get To Guerneville

The town of Guerneville is located on Highway 116, about 15 miles from Santa Rosa, which is also where the nearest airport is. From Highway 101 at the north end of Santa Rosa, take the exit onto River Road and head west for about 15 miles to reach Guerneville.

If you happen to be coming from the coast along Highway 1, you will take the Highway 116 exit at the Russian River and follow it about 12 miles into Guerneville.

Getting Around Guerneville

Downtown Guerneville is perfectly walkable and you can reach the river by foot, but to really enjoy the surrounding area, including the redwoods, we recommend having a car, and free parking is easy to find around town. Bicycles are a popular way to explore the town as well.

Best Time To Visit Guerneville

In short, the most recommended time to visit is from June through September. The town enjoys moderate, comfortable temperatures much of the year, as early as March and as late as the beginning of November.

Spring and fall are wonderful for hiking in the forest, strolling along the river, wine tasting, and other activities. The warmest month is July, and with average temperatures around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, mid-summer is perfect for swimming, kayaking, and floating down the river. The coldest month is December, which also generally sees a lot of rain, but that doesn’t put a damper on a little wine-tasting and fine-dining weekend!

Where To Stay In Guerneville

Accommodations in this town are centered around relaxation and enjoying the great outdoors, and you will find a wide variety of options from luxurious to rustic. Here are a few of the top-rated places to stay, each of which offers a unique experience.

The completely renovated Stavrand Russian River Valley (formerly the Applewood Inn) was ranked among the world’s top 100 hotels by Travel & Leisure in 2022, calling it the hottest boutique resort in Sonoma County.

The 21-room hotel is a property marked by gardens, groves, and historic buildings. Guests enjoy a complimentary hot breakfast and guest rooms with amenities like cedar hot tubs, indoor jacuzzis, gas fireplaces, deep soaking tubs, private decks, etc.

The Stavrand is all about luxury and hospitality with a pool, hot tub, fire pits and s’mores kits, bicycles and kayaks, a lending library, and endless natural beauty. After a long day, enjoy a rejuvenating massage, then take the lantern from your room and go for an evening stroll or do some stargazing. It is just a short walk to downtown Guerneville.

Another option for a bit of modern zen-like luxury is the 14-room, adult-focused (but dog-friendly!) Boon Hotel and Spa.

This boutique hotel is tucked among the beautiful redwoods and boasts a high level of service as well as amenities designed to create a peaceful retreat. Mix your own drink at the honor bar or grab a glass of local wine. Enjoy a dip in the solar-heated saline pool, a soak in the hot tub, a bike ride around town, or an evening listening to vintage vinyl records in your cozy suite.

Boon delivers a complimentary breakfast to your door so you can take your morning slow, and the on-site spa offers a full menu of facials and body treatments to help you relax completely during your stay.

Just outside of town is AutoCamp Russian River, a unique opportunity to make the most of the stunning Redwood forests this area is known for.

Nostalgic Airstream trailers and glamping tents put you right among the giant trees and combine a rustic atmosphere with a touch of simple luxury. Both trailers and tents are well-appointed with modern, comfortable furnishings and decor.

Multiple gathering spaces, including the large open-air clubhouse, have fire pits and seating to enjoy evenings in the forest whether you want a break from the outdoors or prefer gazing at the stars. The clubhouse Cantina carries a variety of supplies, snacks, and food items for guests to purchase.

If you are wondering what to do in Guerneville, we have a quintessential Guerneville getaway all planned out for you so keep reading.

Guerneville Getaway, Day One: Downtown and Russian River Adventures

Assuming you are driving in from Santa Rosa, plan to arrive in Guerneville in the morning, in time for breakfast (or brunch!).

Coffee Bazaar is the go-to spot for great coffee and delightful breakfast and lunch foods. Order your favorite coffee drink and some pastries or maybe a slice of freshly baked quiche, a popular choice among locals.

You will be spending the afternoon at the river, so this is a great place to pick up a couple of sandwiches or charcuterie items to take with you!

After breakfast, take a walk to see one of the most popular Guerneville attractions, the Historic Russian River Bridge. To reach the bridge, head less than a block to Main Street. Across the intersection, you will see Guerneville Plaza. Cross through the plaza to the bridge entrance.

After taking in the river views and snapping a few souvenir photos, you may enjoy a little stroll up Main Street where you can duck into one-of-a-kind boutiques, thrift stores, and art galleries.

You will spend the afternoon enjoying the beautiful Russian River. Make your way to Johnson’s Beach, just a couple of blocks south of downtown.

This white pebble beach is popular for sunbathing, picnicking, swimming, and all sorts of water activities. It is also where the annual Russian River Jazz and Blues Festival takes place each September.

If you drive, parking is $7 per car. Beach chairs can be rented for $12 and umbrellas for $15 for the day, so you can take a shady break to eat lunch or sit and read at the river’s edge.

Of course, we recommend getting out on the river and immersing yourself in its lush beauty. You can rent inner tubes and float downstream for the ultimate relaxing experience. You can also rent one or two-person kayaks and four-person canoes ($50 to $60 for the day) to get away from the crowd and really explore the stunning river.

If you didn't grab lunch earlier, you can head back to the beach and re-fuel any time with a hot dog or hamburger from the snack bar or grab a cold beer from the Boathouse.

As the day ends, we recommend enjoying a delicious meal at Boon Eat + Drink which specializes in farm-to-table, seasonal fare using locally-sourced ingredients.

Customers love the Moroccan Glazed Carrots, the Flat Iron Steak, the Morrocan Chicken, and the Chili Braised Pork Shoulder. There is also a wonderful local wine list and a selection of craft beer and cider.

Save room for a little dessert and wander over to Nimble & Finn’s (just two doors down) for some sweet, creamy ice cream.

The only thing more alluring than the lovely location in the historic Guerneville Bank Club building is the menu of unique and creative flavors like Honeycomb Lavender, Rhubarb Crisp, Icebox Cake, and the gold-medal-winning Maple Bourbon Bacon Brittle.

Spend the rest of the evening at your hotel, The Stavrand (mentioned above). Perhaps enjoy a relaxing massage, a complimentary aperitif, or make some S’mores under the stars before drifting off to sleep in your stylish and comfortable room.

Guerneville Getaway, Day Two: Redwoods and Wine Tasting

Fuel up at the hotel with a gourmet breakfast (included in your stay) and a cup of locally-roasted coffee before setting off on today’s adventures.

You simply cannot come to Guerneville without spending some time exploring the majestic Redwood forest. This morning you will make your way to the north end of town on Armstrong Woods Road until it ends (just under 3 miles from the hotel) at the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve.

I have always been awed by these beautiful giants, the California Redwoods. With over 800 acres of forest, the Reserve has a range of trails to explore, from easy boardwalk paths to challenging hikes. As you stroll along the cool forest floor, do not forget to look up at the towering treetops - the world’s tallest living things! There is a visitor center, interpretive kiosks, picnic areas, a creek, and even tree-hugging platforms to add to your experience in the woods.

Want a little preview? Check out the Pioneer Nature Trail through the Redwoods:

https://youtu.be/bP2Sg-u36XI

Having hiked all morning, you will no doubt have worked up an appetite, and we have just the place to recharge. Less than 10 minutes from the Armstrong Reserve, along the river, stop in at the Korbel Delicatessen and Market for laid-back al fresco lunch under the trees.

The pastries will likely catch your eye as soon as you walk up to the deli counter, but the salads (especially the Cobb!) and sandwiches are perfect for a tasty lunch.

If you heard “Korbel” and thought Champagne, then you are probably able to guess what we are doing next - a little wine tasting next door at the Korbel Champagne Cellars winery.

The winery offers a complimentary 3-pour tasting of their Marketplace wines as well as a Premium 3-pour tasting for $15 or an “All Bubbles” 5-pour tasting for $20. Of course, you can always enjoy a tasting before you eat, then grab a bottle to enjoy with your lunch!

Established in 1882, the Korbel winery has a long history in Sonoma. I recommend taking a tour of the historic museum and cellar ($15 per person) which will make you appreciate these wonderful wines even more. The tour includes a tasting of three Premium Champagnes. Be sure to take a stroll through the lovely gardens as well.

This evening, enjoy a hand-prepared, comfort-food dinner in town at the perfectly rustic Timberline restaurant, a favorite with locals and visitors alike.

From the steaks to the fish to the burgers, customers agree with the owners that this is as close to home-cooked food as you can find in Sonoma. Keep in mind that Timberline is only open for dinner on the weekends, Friday through Sunday.

If your getaway happens to be during mid-week, or you simply want to try something different, grab a table at Guerneville’s newest eatery, Brot, a modern German restaurant with a Midwest flair and a rustic Bavarian atmosphere.

Sharable appetizers like the Obatzda plate, Bavarian Pretzel, and Bread Dumplings are especially tasty and a great way to start off, whether you decide on Pork Schnitzel, Currywurst, or another modern take on an authentic German specialty for your main course.Whatever your choice, we are confident it will be a lovely way to end your getaway in Guerneville!

Have you ever been to the sweet little town of Guerneville? Do you have another favorite small-town getaway in Northern California? We would love to hear your experiences and recommendations in the comments. While you are thinking about your next escape, make sure you take a peek at the rest of our favorite Small Town Getaways for 2023!