With a legendary coastline stretching 840 miles, California has long been the sunny home for beachcombers and surfer dudes. But beaches don’t always lie on the coast, as Travel + Leisure reminds in a recent article listing nine of the best beach towns in California, where Guerneville ranked No. 3.
“The forested hamlet of Guerneville — a longtime haunt for hippies, artists, and the LGBTQ+ community — is located on the Russian River, a slow-moving waterway intermittently lined with beaches,” the Travel + Leisure article stated.
Guerneville’s varied storefronts reflect the layers of the region’s recent history, from timber town to hippie haven to gay-friendly retreat and upscale weekend getaway. Close to the beach and with a downtown full of great places to eat and drink, it is a perfect spot to relax and soak up the sun on hot days.
Where to play
Johnson’s Beach: The popular Russian River spot offers paddleboarding, picnicking, tubing, and swimming. The beach has a snack bar with refreshments and offers camping or vintage cabins. King’s Sport & Tackle (16258 Main St.) can help you get set up with water sports gear and offer advice.
16215 and 16217 First St., johnsonsbeach.com
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve: Quiet trails lead through 800 acres of old-growth redwoods just a short distance from downtown.
17000 Armstrong Woods Road, 707-869-2015, parks.ca.gov
Where to eat
Piknik Town Market: Though Big Bottom Market was sold and reopened in 2023 as Piknik Town Market, new owner Margaret van der Veen assured fans that the Market’s world-famous biscuits are still baked daily. The spot also offers salads, sandwiches, gourmet groceries and picnic provisions, including to-go picnic boxes.
16228 Main St., 707-604-7295, pikniktownmarket.com
Boon Eat + Drink: Chef Crista Luedtke of Food Network fame lives in Guerneville and her restaurant anchors the downtown strip. Boon is a classic California farm-to-table bistro, with locally sourced dishes such as beet salad with goat cheese, mac and cheese with Mycopia mushrooms, Niman Ranch burger on brioche and the fan-favorite polenta lasagna on a bed of rainbow chard.
16248 Main St., 707-869-0780, eatatboon.com
Guerneville Taco Truck: It may seem odd to claim that a Safeway parking lot is home to the best Mexican food in Guerneville, but most locals would agree. A mainstay for over three decades, the Guerneville Taco Truck offers the best tacos, tortas and burritos this side of the Russian River.
16405 Highway 116, 707-869-1821, guernevilletacotruck.com
Where to sip
Stumptown Brewery: The main draw here is an expansive deck overlooking the river, with kayakers and tubers floating by. Spend the afternoon there with a beer sampler or the seasonal Donkey Punch, a refreshing hoppy lager.
15045 River Road, 707-869-0705, stumptown.com
Rainbow Cattle Co.: “The Rainbow,” as locals call it, has been a Guerneville fixture since the late 1970s. The LGBTQ+ community gathering spot is one of only a few Sonoma County bars that remain open until early morning hours, closing at 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
16220 Main St., 707-869-0206, queersteer.com
Korbel Champagne Cellars: As the only Champagne producer in the Bay Area since the late 1800s, Korbel has earned a reputation in the county for its old-world charm and first-class bubbles. The winery’s Champagne even made it to the table at former president Barack Obama’s inaugural luncheon, a Korbel tradition for presidential inaugurations dating back to the 1980s. Korbel offers free walking tours of its historic museum and cellars, which include a complimentary Champagne tasting.
13250 River Road, 707-824-7000, korbel.com
Where to stay
AutoCamp Sonoma: Guests stay in custom Airstream trailers or luxury tent cabins at this mid-century modern glamping destination.
14120 Old Cazadero Road, 855-942-0792, autocamp.com/location/sonoma
Dawn Ranch: This classic river resort reopened after a luxury revamp in 2023 and includes 86 lodging accommodations, a world-class restaurant and rejuvenating spa facilities.
16467 Highway 116, 707-869-0656, dawnranch.com
Interior of a lodge at Dawn Ranch in Guerneville. (Gentl & Hyers)
Ready to experience the laid-back charm of Guerneville for yourself? Whether you’re planning a relaxing river getaway, exploring Sonoma County’s hidden gems, or considering making Wine Country your home, Guerneville offers the perfect mix of nature, dining, and small-town charm. If you’d like more local insights on the best places to visit, stay, and explore in Sonoma County, feel free to reach out—I’d love to help you discover even more of what makes this area so special.
