Emily's Guidebook
Neighborhoods
This is an adorable historic town full of quaint shops, a restaurant, and wine tasting spot. Cows often graze on the hill nearby.
58 locals recommend
Duncans Mills
This is an adorable historic town full of quaint shops, a restaurant, and wine tasting spot. Cows often graze on the hill nearby.
A summer destination for bohemians, writers, artists and vacationers since the early 1900s, this tiny town has all the necessary ingredients for La Dolce Vita — majestic redwoods, fir-covered hills dotted by eccentric cabins, the Russian River meandering toward Pacific shores, a wide variety of artisanal food, a rural flavor and a laid-back style.
14 locals recommend
Forestville
A summer destination for bohemians, writers, artists and vacationers since the early 1900s, this tiny town has all the necessary ingredients for La Dolce Vita — majestic redwoods, fir-covered hills dotted by eccentric cabins, the Russian River meandering toward Pacific shores, a wide variety of artisanal food, a rural flavor and a laid-back style.
Tucked away in western Sonoma County, the tiny community of Occidental was founded in 1876 as the last stop on the North Pacific Coast Railroad, and it soon became a popular vacation destination. In 1879, a railroad saloon and boarding house, the Union Hotel and Restaurant, was constructed; it's now a popular Italian cafe, bakery, and pizzeria. And Occidental's famous Negri's Italian Dinners & Joe's Bar, with its vintage trattoria ambience, has been serving Italian classics since 1943. Occidental is also home to restaurants that feature Mexican, American, Mediterranean/pizza, and pub grub menus.
71 locals recommend
Occidental
Tucked away in western Sonoma County, the tiny community of Occidental was founded in 1876 as the last stop on the North Pacific Coast Railroad, and it soon became a popular vacation destination. In 1879, a railroad saloon and boarding house, the Union Hotel and Restaurant, was constructed; it's now a popular Italian cafe, bakery, and pizzeria. And Occidental's famous Negri's Italian Dinners & Joe's Bar, with its vintage trattoria ambience, has been serving Italian classics since 1943. Occidental is also home to restaurants that feature Mexican, American, Mediterranean/pizza, and pub grub menus.
Located where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean, Jenner (pop. 136) is a place where the pace is up to you - you can challenge yourself with a rugged hillside hike with stunning coastal views, paddle a kayak on the river or ocean, stroll leisurely on a beautiful beach or high bluff, sit on the sand and watch a colony of sea lions, or snuggle into a comfy chair while sipping fine wine, nibbling fine food, and enjoying the view out the window.
61 locals recommend
Jenner
Located where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean, Jenner (pop. 136) is a place where the pace is up to you - you can challenge yourself with a rugged hillside hike with stunning coastal views, paddle a kayak on the river or ocean, stroll leisurely on a beautiful beach or high bluff, sit on the sand and watch a colony of sea lions, or snuggle into a comfy chair while sipping fine wine, nibbling fine food, and enjoying the view out the window.
City/town information
Charming wine country destination full of tasting rooms, boutiques, and upscale restaurants. Some great antiquing too.
154 locals recommend
Healdsburg
Charming wine country destination full of tasting rooms, boutiques, and upscale restaurants. Some great antiquing too.
Friendly, quaint, and colorful, and charmingly rustic this is a great place to walk around and enjoy the russian river. Don't miss the biscuits at Big Bottom Market.
78 locals recommend
Guerneville
Friendly, quaint, and colorful, and charmingly rustic this is a great place to walk around and enjoy the russian river. Don't miss the biscuits at Big Bottom Market.
Food scene
Underwood Bar and Bistro
9113 Graton RdRomantic, bustling bistro with great french food.
Adorable local favorite with GREAT comfort food and some amazing house made ice cream.
25 locals recommend
Rio Cafe & Grill
20391 CA-116Adorable local favorite with GREAT comfort food and some amazing house made ice cream.
Lively and fun dive bar directly on the russian river with down home bar food and a great mexican food truck. When the lawn is open it has great space for kids to run around and lots of games.
84 locals recommend
Stumptown Brewery
15045 River RdLively and fun dive bar directly on the russian river with down home bar food and a great mexican food truck. When the lawn is open it has great space for kids to run around and lots of games.
Lively dive restaurant/bar with lots of space for people to spread out and kids to run around. They often have live music on the weekends. Come for the ambiance and fun, not for the food! One of our favorite spots to hang as a family.
47 locals recommend
Rio Nido Roadhouse
14540 Canyon 2 RdLively dive restaurant/bar with lots of space for people to spread out and kids to run around. They often have live music on the weekends. Come for the ambiance and fun, not for the food! One of our favorite spots to hang as a family.
Family owned an operated Italian dinners since 1943. Classic family style dinners and hand crafted cocktails. Stop
28 locals recommend
Negri's Original Occidental
3700 Bohemian HwyFamily owned an operated Italian dinners since 1943. Classic family style dinners and hand crafted cocktails. Stop
Big Bottom Market
16228 Main StAwesome sandwiches and legendary biscuits (Oprah's favorite)
A cozy spot with bar & table seats that serves Cal-Mediterranean dishes & pizzas, plus wine.
62 locals recommend
Hazel Restaurant
3782 Bohemian HwyA cozy spot with bar & table seats that serves Cal-Mediterranean dishes & pizzas, plus wine.
Fantastic (and a little bougie) cafe, the baked goods, breakfast, and lunch foods here are to die for. If they have Focaccia, get it!
13 locals recommend
The Altamont General Store
3703 Main StreetFantastic (and a little bougie) cafe, the baked goods, breakfast, and lunch foods here are to die for. If they have Focaccia, get it!
Wonderful cafe/light and casual breakfast spot 5 minutes from the house. Great outdoor ambiance.
19 locals recommend
Lightwave Coffee and kitchen
9725 Main StWonderful cafe/light and casual breakfast spot 5 minutes from the house. Great outdoor ambiance.
Incredible pastries in a cute historic town, great back patio with occasional live music.
65 locals recommend
Gold Coast Coffee & Bakery
25377 Steelhead BlvdIncredible pastries in a cute historic town, great back patio with occasional live music.
Howard Station Cafe
3611 Bohemian HwyClassic breakfast joint.
Great pizza and live music on friday nights from 5-9 pm.
29 locals recommend
Raymond's Bakery at Elim Grove
5400 Cazadero HwyGreat pizza and live music on friday nights from 5-9 pm.
Beautiful views, good coffee and cafe/light breakfast food, and live music on the weekends. Parking can be difficult but worth it if you can find some.
92 locals recommend
Cafe Aquatica
10439 CA-1Beautiful views, good coffee and cafe/light breakfast food, and live music on the weekends. Parking can be difficult but worth it if you can find some.
River's End Restaurant & Inn
11048 CA-1Upscale food with an ocean view
Farmhouse Inn
7871 River RdIf you want a fancy dinner, this is the spot!
Baked on the River
17071 CA-116Great breakfast and lunch food in a magical backyard.
Fresh oysters, a glass of wine, picnic tables, a boat for kids to climb on, what more could you ask for?
14 locals recommend
Bodega Bay Oyster Company
12830 Valley Ford RdFresh oysters, a glass of wine, picnic tables, a boat for kids to climb on, what more could you ask for?
Wild Flour Bread
140 Bohemian HwyArtisanal bread and baked goods
Freestone Artisan Cheese
380 Bohemian Hwycheese shop
Sonoma Pizza Co.
Great pizza in a beautiful garden atmosphere
spas
Award winning local spa in a beautiful, garden like setting
118 locals recommend
Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary
209 Bohemian HwyAward winning local spa in a beautiful, garden like setting
Sightseeing
As you stroll through this beautiful old-growth redwood forest, you'll see some of the tallest and oldest trees remaining in this part of California. The Parson Jones Tree is about 310 feet high; the Colonel Armstrong Tree is more than 1,400 years old.
The reserve includes a visitor center, large outdoor amphitheater, self-guided nature trails, and a variety of picnic facilities. While you can drive into the park, the best way to experience the dramatic effect of the towering redwoods, is to park in the lot (though there is a $10 fee). All of the main park features can be found along the Pioneer Nature Trail. This trail is a mile and a half long round trip, is ADA accessible and is mostly flat and level.
500 locals recommend
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve Visitor Center
17000 Armstrong Woods RdAs you stroll through this beautiful old-growth redwood forest, you'll see some of the tallest and oldest trees remaining in this part of California. The Parson Jones Tree is about 310 feet high; the Colonel Armstrong Tree is more than 1,400 years old.
The reserve includes a visitor center, large outdoor amphitheater, self-guided nature trails, and a variety of picnic facilities. While you can drive into the park, the best way to experience the dramatic effect of the towering redwoods, is to park in the lot (though there is a $10 fee). All of the main park features can be found along the Pioneer Nature Trail. This trail is a mile and a half long round trip, is ADA accessible and is mostly flat and level.
The Grove is a healthy, old-growth stand of Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). Enjoy the beauty and grandeur of the trees on easy trails, some suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. The Grove of Old Trees is the first and now one of only two privately owned preserves in Sonoma County that is publicly accessible and free to all.
29 locals recommend
LandPaths Grove of Old Trees
17599 Fitzpatrick LnThe Grove is a healthy, old-growth stand of Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). Enjoy the beauty and grandeur of the trees on easy trails, some suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. The Grove of Old Trees is the first and now one of only two privately owned preserves in Sonoma County that is publicly accessible and free to all.
Goat Rock, near the mouth of the Russian River, is known for its scenic shoreline and easily accessible sandy beach. Picnic tables and restroom facilities are also available. Goat Rock beach is home to a colony of harbor seals! Though it is important to keep your distance.
125 locals recommend
Goat Rock Beach
Goat Rock, near the mouth of the Russian River, is known for its scenic shoreline and easily accessible sandy beach. Picnic tables and restroom facilities are also available. Goat Rock beach is home to a colony of harbor seals! Though it is important to keep your distance.
Salmon Creek State Beach
California 1Good beach for dipping your toes in in the summer!
Our beautiful, local beach and nature preserve. A must visit, even in the colder months! In the summer it's a great place to swim.
Patterson Point Preserve
California 116Our beautiful, local beach and nature preserve. A must visit, even in the colder months! In the summer it's a great place to swim.
Wine tasting
Family-friendly winery that often has live music. One of the top outdoor dining spots in Sonoma County, Russian River Vineyards serves sandwiches, salads and specialty focaccia from a menu that changes seasonally to capture the very best of the vineyard’s on-site farm produce.
61 locals recommend
Russian River Vineyards
5700 California 116Family-friendly winery that often has live music. One of the top outdoor dining spots in Sonoma County, Russian River Vineyards serves sandwiches, salads and specialty focaccia from a menu that changes seasonally to capture the very best of the vineyard’s on-site farm produce.
Porter Creek Vineyards
8735 Westside RdOne of our absolute favorite wine makers in the area.
West County Regional Trail: This 5.57-mile trail between Forestville and Sebastopol runs along an abandoned railroad line and meanders through agricultural ranches, farmlands, vineyards and woods. The trail, open from sunrise to sunset, is paved for walking, biking and roller skating — there's an unpaved equestrian trail to the side.
10 locals recommend
West County Regional Trail, Forestville, CA
Front StreetWest County Regional Trail: This 5.57-mile trail between Forestville and Sebastopol runs along an abandoned railroad line and meanders through agricultural ranches, farmlands, vineyards and woods. The trail, open from sunrise to sunset, is paved for walking, biking and roller skating — there's an unpaved equestrian trail to the side.
RYME Tasting Room
6450 1st StPorter-Bass
11750 Mays Canyon RdKids
J.K. Wright Memorial Playground
16016 Drake RoadBest playground in the area
Children's Museum of Sonoma County
1835 W Steele LnKids museum
Pee Wee Golf & Arcade
16155 Drake RdOld school, down home, mini golf
Apple A Day
13128 Occidental RoadRatzlaff Apple A Day is a great apple picking spot in the fall!