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Johnson’s Beach: The popular Russian River spot has paddleboarding, picnicking, tubing and swimming. The beach also has a snack bar with refreshments and offers lodging in a campground or vintage cabins. 16215 and 16217 First St., johnsonsbeach.com (Gary Saxe/Shutterstock)
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Float the River: Take the lazy route. The Russian River is best enjoyed from the meandering seat of a canoe, kayak or float tube. Burke’s Canoe Trips in Forestville or King’s Sport and Tackle in Guerneville can help set you up with gear and advice. Burke's Canoe Trips, 8600 River Road, Forestville, 707-887-1222, burkescanoetrips.com; King’s Sport and Tackle, 16258 Main St., Guerneville, 707-869-2156, kingsrussianriver.com (Kent Porter/The Press Democrat)
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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 (Sonoma County Tourism)
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boon eat + drink and Road Trip: Chef Crista Luedtke of Food Network fame makes her home here in Guerneville, and her two restaurants anchor the downtown strip. Boon is a classic California farm-to-table bistro and Road Trip is Luedtke's new casual, globally inspired restaurant that recently replaced the shuttered Brot, her upscale German-inspired eatery. boon eat + drink, 16248 Main St., 707-869-0780, eatatboon.com; Road Trip, 16218 Main St., 707-604-6102, eatatroadtrip.com (Sonoma County Tourism)
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Road Trip takes over the former Brot space on Main Street in Guerneville Monday, May 20, 2024. (Photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
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A variety of dishes at boon eat + drink in Guerneville. (Sonoma County Tourism)
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Flank steak at boon eat + drink in Guerneville. (boon eat + drink)
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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 (Kent Porter/The Press Democrat)
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Guerneville Bank Club: This pretty building, built in the early 1920s, is home to art installations, a wine shop and ice cream from local standout Nimble & Finn’s. 16290 Main St., 707-666-9411, guernevillebankclub.com (Guerneville Bank Club)
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Stumptown Brewery: The big 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 Donkey Punch, a refreshing hoppy lager. 15045 River Road, 707-869-0705, stumptown.com (Alvin Jornada/The Press Democrat)
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Korbel Champagne Cellars: As the only Champagne producers 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 includes a complimentary Champagne tasting. 13250 River Road, 707-824-7000, korbel.com (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat)
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The delicatessen at Korbel Champagne Cellars in Guerneville sells coffee, salads and hand-crafted sandwiches along with a selection of the estate's wines. (NORTH BAY BUSINESS JOURNAL)
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AutoCamp: 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/russian-river (AutoCamp)
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AutoCamp in Guerneville also has glamping tents. (AutoCamp Russian River)
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The renovated Dawn Ranch features a new restaurant, new spa and glamping tents. (Gentl & Hyers)
