The Russian River: Guerneville and Forestville

The Russian River rises in Mendocino County and runs south through Healdsburg before turning west through a deep, wooded valley to the Pacific at Jenner. Along that last stretch sit two small towns. Forestville is quiet and rural, surrounded by apple orchards and Pinot Noir vineyards. Guerneville, ten miles downstream, is the old resort town, with summer cabins, river beaches and a lively main street. Above town, Armstrong Redwoods protects a grove of old-growth giants.

Our Healdsburg guide covers the plaza and the upper valleys. This page is about the lower river: how to get there, the redwoods, the wineries, paddling, food, fees and a sample day.

Getting there from Palo Alto

Guerneville is about 95 to 100 miles from Palo Alto. Plan on 2 to 2.5 hours each way. The usual route goes north on US 101 through San Francisco and across the Golden Gate Bridge, then through Marin and Petaluma. From there you have two choices:

• River Road: stay on 101 to the River Road exit north of Santa Rosa, then head west through the vineyards to Forestville's edge and on to Guerneville.
• Highway 116: leave 101 at Cotati and follow Highway 116 through Sebastopol to Forestville and down the river. It is a slower, prettier drive through orchard country.

The Golden Gate Bridge toll is charged only southbound, on the way home. Our bridges and tolls guide has current rates. Sunday afternoons southbound through Marin are the worst stretch, so leave the river by 3 p.m. or stay until after dinner.

In heavy winter storms the river can rise fast and low roads near it can close. After a big storm, check road conditions before you leave Palo Alto.

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve

Two miles north of downtown Guerneville, Armstrong Redwoods protects a grove saved by a lumberman, Colonel James Armstrong, in the 1870s. The flat Pioneer Nature Trail leads past most of the famous trees:

• The Parson Jones Tree, the tallest in the grove at more than 310 feet, about 0.1 mile from the entrance.
• The Colonel Armstrong Tree, the oldest, estimated at more than 1,400 years, about half a mile in.
• The Icicle Tree, covered in unusual burls.

The park charges $10 per vehicle, or $9 if a passenger is 62 or older, to enter or to park in the main lot at the entrance. The fee is due even if the kiosk is unstaffed, in which case you self-register. Many visitors park at the entrance and walk in, which is the best way to feel the scale of the trees. If you park along Armstrong Woods Road instead, stay off the roadway and the east side and keep clear of driveways.

The park reports that all trails are open except the East Ridge Connector Trail. Camping at the neighboring Austin Creek State Recreation Area is closed until further notice after the Wallbridge Fire. Leashed dogs are allowed only on the main paved road and in the picnic areas, never on dirt trails. The volunteer group Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods lists free docent-led walks in the grove in November 2026, including one around Thanksgiving.

Wine: Korbel and Forestville

The lower river is cool, foggy Pinot Noir and Chardonnay country, part of the Russian River Valley appellation.

Korbel

Korbel, just east of Guerneville on River Road, has made sparkling wine here for more than 140 years. Its visit page lists:

• Walk-in tastings daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with flights of sparkling and still wines. Groups of seven or more should contact the winery first.
• Free history tours of the cellar and museum every day at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., lasting about an hour.
• A deli with outdoor tables over the vineyards, open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Outside food, drinks and picnicking are not allowed.
• Leashed, friendly dogs on the outdoor decks.

Korbel is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day and Easter. The rose gardens and old brick buildings from the 1880s are worth a walk even if you skip the tasting.

Forestville

Hartford Family Winery has its estate tasting room at 8075 Martinelli Road, just outside Forestville, with reserved tastings overlooking the vineyards. Its site also lists a second tasting room in downtown Healdsburg. Many smaller producers around Forestville open by appointment only, so book ahead.

Tasting fees on the river vary by winery and experience. Expect to pay per person for most flights, with fees often waived for club members. Bring photo ID, since everyone tasting must be 21 or older.

On the river

Summer is river season. Burke's Canoe Trips, one mile north of Forestville, rents canoes and kayaks for a 10-mile self-guided paddle downstream through the redwoods to its private beach in Guerneville, with a free shuttle back. Its site says the 2026 season ran from Memorial Day weekend through early October, so plan a paddle for next summer. Johnson's Beach in Guerneville is the classic summer river beach in town.

Where to eat

• boon eat + drink, 16248 Main Street, Guerneville, a small bistro cooking with local produce. Its site lists dinner from 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, closing at 8 or 9 p.m. It is closed Monday and Tuesday. Walk-in parties are capped at six.
• El Barrio, 16230 Main Street, Guerneville, a bar with a patio. It takes no reservations and lists hours of 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
• Korbel's deli, the easy lunch stop if you are tasting there.
• Farmhouse Inn, on River Road in Forestville, a fine dining restaurant inside a small inn. Its site lists breakfast daily plus lunch and dinner service, with reservations recommended.

Most Guerneville kitchens open late in the afternoon, so plan lunch at Korbel or bring a picnic for the redwoods. Check each restaurant's site before you go.

Best time to go

Summer is the classic season for swimming and paddling, with warm afternoons after the morning fog burns off. Fall brings harvest and quieter roads. Winter is the low season, when some places shorten hours and storms can raise the river. The redwoods are good in any season and are at their most atmospheric in light rain. Holiday visitors can catch the Holly Dolly Parton Parade of Lights on Main Street in Guerneville on December 5, 2026, at 7 p.m., according to the Russian River Chamber of Commerce.

Getting home safely

The roads out of the river valley are narrow and winding, then you face a two-hour freeway drive. That is no place for a tired or tipsy driver. California's legal limit is 0.08 percent blood alcohol for adult drivers. Pick a designated driver before you leave, share tasting flights and finish tasting early in the afternoon. Rideshare service here is thin. A tour with transport is the simplest answer and you can compare Sonoma County wine tours.

A sample day

1. 7:30 a.m. Leave Palo Alto, north through San Francisco.
2. 9:45 a.m. Arrive at Armstrong Redwoods. Park at the entrance and walk the Pioneer Nature Trail to the Colonel Armstrong Tree.
3. 11:30 a.m. Drive to Korbel for lunch at the deli.
4. 12:30 p.m. Walk-in tasting at Korbel while your driver explores the rose gardens.
5. 1:30 p.m. A short walk along the river or a look around Forestville's back roads.
6. 2:30 p.m. Korbel's cellar and museum tour.
7. 4 p.m. Stroll Main Street in Guerneville, then an early dinner at boon or El Barrio.
8. 6 p.m. Drive home with your sober driver.

A night on the river is far more relaxing. You can find a river cabin in Guerneville for a group. The coast at Bodega Bay is under an hour west by way of Jenner and Healdsburg is about half an hour north. For more redwoods closer to home, see our redwood forests guide and Big Basin Redwoods. Browse all day trips from Palo Alto.

Frequently asked questions