Guerneville is no stranger to summer love, but this summer, the town earned national attention. On July 2, the Wall Street Journal featured Guerneville in a guide to top day trips from San Francisco, highlighting Johnson’s Beach and other laid-back attractions two hours north of the city.

Tucked beneath the redwoods and alongside the Russian River, Guerneville was praised for its natural beauty, wine tastings, LGBTQ+ culture and breezy vacation energy.

The article spotlighted Johnson’s Beach as the “riverside party,” where beachgoers sunbathe and soak in the summer scene.

Johnson’s Beach has lured generations of summer visitors since the 1920s with its canoe rentals, cute cabins and an old-school snack bar. The beach’s relaxing environment makes it a go-to destination for Northern California families, day-trippers and anyone chasing a classic Sonoma County summer. 16215 First St., 707-869-2022, johnsonsbeach.com

The shoutout didn’t go unnoticed. The team at Johnson’s Beach shared their excitement in an Instagram post July 5, thanking travel writer Freda Moon for including the beach in her Wall Street Journal article.

This is not the first time the beach has made national headlines. In 2024, Travel + Leisure named Johnson’s California’s “coolest” beach, noting its retro summer camp vibes and family-friendly feel.

In addition to the beach, the Wall Street Journal called out several other destinations in Guerneville and the Russian River area. Here are the standouts:

Equality Vines

The country’s first LGBTQ+ cause-based winery is a welcoming locale to go wine tasting on the weekend or to host private events such as staff celebrations or business development socials. “I think it’s massive for the community that we were mentioned,” said Matt Grove, co-founder of Equality Vines. “Because of all the construction in the community, we hope we get more foot traffic. So the culmination of being featured in this article is momentous for the community.” 16215 Main St., 877-379-4637, equalityvines.com

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve

The powerful and captivating redwood grove is an attraction anyone can enjoy when looking to get away from crowds and the city featuring peaceful trails, a visitor center, an outdoor amphitheater, and picnic areas. 17000 Armstrong Woods Road, 707-869-2015, parks.ca.gov

Korbel Champagne Cellars

The historic bubbly tasting house offers daily public tours and tastings. Chase the sweet California Champagne at the deli, Korbel Delicatessen and Market, with any market salad. 13250 River Road, 707-824-7000, korbel.com

Rainbow Cattle Company

The town’s iconic nightlife also got a mention, including this longtime gay saloon. The atmosphere inside the rustic interior is always flannel-friendly and judgment-free. “I’m just flattered that the Wall Street Journal mentioned us,” said co-owner Robert Frederick. 16220 Main St., 707-869-0206, queersteer.com

Rio Nido Roadhouse

By day, Rio Nido Roadhouse is buzzing with families enjoying the snack bar that offers kid-friendly bites while parents sip craft beers and cocktail specials outdoors. By night, it transforms into a lively redwood-stage venue playing country music, reggae, rock and more. 14540 Canyon 2 Road, Rio Nido, 707-869-0821, rionidoroadhouse

Pat’s International

This retro diner offers breakfast and lunch for anyone looking to relax and refuel before heading down to the river. Pat’s is known for its doughnuts and Korean fried chicken sandwiches. 16236 Main St., 707-604-4007, patsinternational.com

A short drive away — Sonoma Coast State Park and Goat Rock Beach

The dramatic Sonoma coastline is known for its harbor seal pups in late spring to mid summer and misty ocean views. A trip to the coast is a great way to get away from the inland heat during the summer. 3095 Highway 1, 707-875-3483, Bodega Bay, parks.ca.gov

With shout-outs from both Travel + Leisure and now the Wall Street Journal, Johnson’s Beach — and Guerneville as a whole — continues to find national attention. The spotlight just confirms what Sonoma County already knows: Guerneville still has it.

The post Guerneville Gets Spotlight in Wall Street Journal’s Summer Day Trips Guide appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Endlessly flowing, the river has often been celebrated as a symbol of rebirth. From rural church baptisms and water-powered sawmills to songs (“Proud Mary”) and novels (“A River Runs Through It”), the river resonates as a source of renewal.

That same spirit of resurgence is alive and well this summer along the Russian River, with the launch of The River Electric glamping resort and swim club, and the much-anticipated debut of Guerneville Social Club later this fall. It’s the latest splash in a “new river scene” that started more than a decade ago when mortgage broker turned restaurateur and hotelier Crista Luedtke took a chance on Boon hotel + spa and Boon eat + drink, kickstarting an influx of local investment and new businesses that have swelled in recent years.

“I think people are really starting to catch on to how magical it is here, not only in the summer, but really year-round,” says Luedtke, who knows that no matter how much Guerneville and surrounding river towns might evolve, there will always be a “gritty bohemian funkiness” beneath the surface.

It’s the reason Bonzo, a new Guerneville gift shop, sells sweatshirts with the slogan “Keeping it weird since 1850” beneath a silkscreened winged frog and a cluster of mushrooms with eyes. And it’s the reason corporate chain restaurants rarely venture into town — and those that do, like Subway, don’t survive. “We’re not ever gonna be a Healdsburg or an Aspen or a Sonoma town square,” Luedtke says. “We’re still funky, and we will always be funky. I mean, look at River Electric. As hip and groovy as it is, it’s still got its cool funkiness. They’re taking over what was once J’s Amusement Park.”

On a tour of The River Electric a week before it opened, co-owner Kelsey Sheofsky showed off the resort’s new tent city beneath the redwoods (imagine an Ewok forest village with chic canvas tents) and made note of a tombstone — a vestige of Dr. Evil’s Haunted House that continued to scare locals every Halloween long after the amusement park went dark — that still needed to be removed.

Where once there was a Mad Mouse roller coaster and corner-hugging go-karts, a 12-acre resort has come to life as The River Electric, centered around a 60-foot circular pool accessible to overnight guests or with a $32 day pass. A sleek outdoor bar and restaurant serves upgraded smashburgers, turkey clubs, and Straus soft serve (and look for The River Electric canned wine collab with Ruth Lewandowski Wines). A block from the river, it’s a watering hole by day, with chaise lounge and cabana upgrades, and a glamping resort by night, all drenched in an Oakland hipster vibe — evidenced by the Instagram-bait payphone booth, restored and reprogrammed so that guests who pick up the receiver hear poetry recited in a voice reminiscent of Boris Karloff.

Sheofsky and her husband, Mike, made their name erecting luxury tent hotels in the middle of nowhere all over the country with their glamping production company, Shelter Co. Since founding it in 2011, they’ve staged elaborate off-the-grid weddings, hosted eclipse events for Virgin Galactic, and provided VIP tent experiences at BottleRock and Outside Lands music festivals. With The River Electric, they’re putting down roots and finding a permanent home for the brand. After buying the property in 2018, they’ve weathered seven years of permitting and floods to make it happen. “We filled the pool yesterday and I said, ‘This pool is half river water and half my tears,'” says Kelsey Sheofsky, who is very grateful for the river resurgence, giving respect and credit to Luedtke as the de facto “town mayor” of this unincorporated river community.

Just as there is a seasonal flow to the Russian River, a rolling way of life that runs between the highs of winter rains, when currents move fast, and the lows of lazy summer trickles, when paddlers have to portage kayaks to the next deep spot — there is also a generational flow through the decades.

In the 1850s, it was a logger’s paradise, better known as Stumptown. In the 1930s through the 1950s, it was a popular postcard summer escape for fogged-in San Francisco families. Big bands leaders Duke Ellington and Tommy Dorsey played the circuit from Forestville to Rio Nido to Guerneville and beyond. In the ’60s, hippies came to town, with the Grateful Dead playing the Dance Hall in Rio Nido. Then in the late ’70s and early ’80s, it became an LGBTQ+ haven, with gay entrepreneurs opening Fife’s Resort, Rainbow Cattle Company, and R3 Resort, eventually paving the way for Pride parades, Lazy Bear Week, and Women’s Weekend.

“I think this latest wave is not necessarily a reinvention, as much as it is just like the next generation,” says Nick Schwanz, the president of the Russian River Chamber of Commerce and co-owner of Solar Punk Farms. “A lot of young people are coming up to Guerneville for the same reason that people have always come up to Guerneville — because it’s absolutely gorgeous.”

If Forestville is the gateway from the east and, winding along River Road, Monte Rio and Duncans Mills are the trailing lower-river towns that give way to the coast, then it makes sense that Guerneville is the epicenter, where much of the new scene is taking hold. When historians look back one day at the urban flight and migratory effects of Covid on small towns across America, this former logging town will be the perfect case study.

The Sheofskys had already planned their escape from San Francisco to Sebastopol when the pandemic hit in 2020, just two days after their kids started at new schools. Among that same wave of transplants is Michael Rex, a former ESL teacher in San Francisco who moved to Guerneville during the pandemic.

Lured by a “For Rent” sign in the window, he opened Russian River Books & Letters in an alcove beside Coffee Bazaar café. He has filled the charming book nook with a wide range of literature and sprinkled in vintage typewriters that customers can use to type poems or letters. An acoustic guitar sits in the corner, waiting for anyone who wants to strum it. Along with author readings, the bookstore hosts live musical performances, and there’s a Hanukkah concert every year.

Since opening in 2021, Rex has learned a lot about locals by the books they order. “It’s very eclectic. You have fly fishermen and hunters, and then you have drag queens and bikers and bicyclists,” he says. “Somebody said that Guerneville is the queerest rural town in America, and it’s probably true.”

There’s a special section in the bookstore curated by Solar Punk Farms, whose owners, Schwanz and his husband Spencer Scott, also repaired to the river from San Francisco during the pandemic. Converting a former horse property on Armstrong Woods Road into a “queer-run regenerative land project,” they’re harvesting their first crops this year, supplying local restaurants in town. But they’ve created more than a farm. Having recently hired an events manager, they’re planning concerts, farm tours, volunteer weekends, and an “upcycled fashion festival.”

Across the street from the bookstore, Hair and Heavy Metal Salon boasts the largest concentration of ’80s hair band posters (Dio, Motley Crue, Whitesnake) along the river. In 2023, owner Donnelle Malnik moved to Guerneville, calling it “the freakiest spot I could find catapulting out of San Francisco.” Around the corner on Main Street, El Barrio mezcal lounge is always hopping on summer nights. It features a three-page cocktail list and a closet-sized kitchen where they make their own tortillas. Like other big-city expats, owner Jimmy Kansau blew into town during the pandemic with his husband.

“In the summer, everybody’s in a good mood,” Kansau says. “Everybody wants to have a party. So it’s a constant influx of people in and out. Some people come here with their bathing suits and their hats, and other people come dressed up, because they just feel like dressing up. It’s a juxtaposition of amazing things, for sure.”

Four years ago, the Venezuela native bought El Barrio from Luedtke. This fall, he’s planning to open Guerneville Social Club near R3 Hotel at Mill and Fourth streets in the former Timberline Restaurant. His vision is a market hall concept with downstairs storefronts that might include a bakery, coffee shop, and taproom, with a beer garden out back. The upstairs event hall will be the main attraction, he says, the scene of “ridiculous weekend brunches” in the restaurant, along with cooking classes and wellness activities. As a social club there will be a yearly membership of around $200 a year.

With so much investment coming from newcomers, it’s not surprising to hear the word “gentrification” pop up in local conversation. It’s one of the reasons The River Electric is hosting “Local Tuesdays” with $5 entrance fee and lower-priced menu options “so you can really come in and have lunch and swim for under 20 bucks,” says Kelsey Sheofsky.

When Saucy Mama’s Jook Joint owner Yvette Bidegain says, “This isn’t the same Guerneville that was here when I grew up. This is a totally different town,” she means it in a good way. Bidegain grew up in the Hacienda community east of town, near Forestville. Her father ran the Richardson’s Ribs booth at the Sonoma County Fair, serving gumbo and ribs from recipes he learned growing up in Louisiana. It proved so popular they eventually opened three restaurants. Bidegain used vacation time from her job at CalTrans to help out with the business.

In 2017, she started doing pop-up soul food once a week, gaining a devoted following selling Southern food and barbecue at Johnson’s Beach during the pandemic summers. Since she opened Saucy Mama’s in 2022 west of downtown, the biggest seller has been the catfish and fried okra, inspiring one of her friends to call her “the Colonel Sanders of catfish.” The ribs, cooked out back in a Texas smoker with her father’s secret recipe, come in a close second. Ebbing and flowing over the years, the Russian River seems to have found a new rhythm, she says. “I’m a person who likes change — change is good. No one expects to find a soul food restaurant in Guerneville, and they tell us that all the time.”

Now, at the peak of the summer season, as tourists from around the Bay Area and California discover — or rediscover — the winding ribbon of water that rolls through the redwoods, it’s a chance for a new generation of business owners to learn to work together in solidarity. “Anytime there’s a new business that comes to town, it’s not about like, ’Oh man, there’s competition.’ No, it’s like, more begets more,” says Luedtke. “I come from an abundance model, where I feel like there’s enough for everyone. New people coming to town is an opportunity for us all to shine our shoes and make sure that we’re not getting complacent and lazy.”

Small Town Gems

Forestville

Burke’s Canoe Trips: Countless thousands have dropped in here for the epic summer rite of passage: paddling the 10-mile span of the Russian River from Forestville to Guerneville.

Along the way, you can stop off at sandbars and beaches for picnics and swimming. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as great blue herons, river otter, osprey, and turtles. And make sure you chat up owner Linda Burke, whose family has been renting boats since the late 1950s, back when Burke’s Resort had a roller rink, arcade, and nightclub that staged everyone from Tommy Dorsey to Duke Ellington. Rates: $95 canoes/$60 kayaks, with complimentary shuttle pickup. 707-887-1222, burkescanoetrips.com

River Shuttle: Summer parking can be a nightmare at many of the beautiful regional park beaches along the river, especially later in the day. Hot tip: Hop on the Sonoma County Regional Parks River Shuttle, departing every 30 minutes from El Molino High School, 7050 Covey Road, Forestville. The shuttle runs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, stopping at Steelhead Beach Regional Park and Sunset Beach River Park. Buy $5 advance passes: parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/visit/regional-parks-river-shuttle

Also, one of the best river hangouts is at the wide sandy beach at Mom’s Beach, just past Burke’s Canoe and Steelhead Beach, at 10584 River Drive. Make sure you get there early (park opens at 7 a.m. and there are only 17 spots), park in the corner lot, just off River Road, and take the trail down to the water.

Sonoma Pizza Co.: If you’re looking for picnic supplies in town, this seasonal gourmet pizza joint poses a tough choice between the wood-fired Pepperoni Nirvana pie, prepared Chris’s Way with hot honey and ricotta, and the Italian Stallion sandwich. 6615 Front St. 707-820-1031, sonomapizzaco.com

Rio Nido

Rio Nido Roadhouse: There may be no better venue to see live music near the river than this classic roadhouse. It’s the reason Chuck Prophet keeps returning for his Summertime Thing festival. It’s where Count Basie and Harry James played during the 1930s and ’40s, and where The Beach Boys and the Grateful Dead plugged in during the ’60s. And it’s the reason why most locals show up any night no matter who’s on the bill. 14540 Canyon 2 Road. 707-869-0821, rionidoroadhouse.com

Guerneville

Things to do

The River Electric: Located on 12 acres, about a block from the river, this brand-new swim club and glamping resort features two pools to cool off on a hot summer day — a 60-foot round pool and the smaller, rectangular Little Dipper. Swim club day passes are $32, with upgrades for chaise lounges and cabanas. Pool bar snacks range from smashburgers, “River Rat” fries (loaded with pimento cheese), and root beer floats to ceviche and local wines. Pool and restaurant are open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 16101 Neeley Road. 707-937-8915, theriverelectric.com

Johnson’s Beach: Rent a kayak, a beach umbrella, or a cabin and chill at one of the most famous bends in the river. Siblings Ethan, Alison, and Andrew Joseph took over in 2022 and are updating what founders Ernie and Gertie Johnson started a century earlier in 1918. 16215 First St. 707-869-2022, johnsonsbeach.com

Solar Punk Farms: Touted as a “queer-run regenerative hub,” this former horse arena has been reborn as a climate think-tank, demonstration area, and working farm all rolled into one. Look for a MORF (Music on Regenerative Farms) concert on July 12. Later this year, they’re creating “Wine and Wander” experiences that combine farm tours with wine tasting, and also volunteer work and play weekends. 15015 Armstrong Woods Road. solarpunkfarms.com

Equality Vines: Founders Matt Grove and Jim Obergefell combine their love of winemaking with an undying fight for equal rights in this eclectic tasting room. Since releasing their first wines (with names like Rosé the Riveter and 19th Amendment Sauvignon Blanc), they have donated nearly $300,000 to nonprofits and equality organizations. 16215 Main St. 877-379-4637, equalityvines.com

Porter-Bass Winery: “We do our tastings outside under our walnut tree,” says winemaker Lance Bass. “It’s a fairly intimate setting, with a beautiful view of the vineyard and the forest around us.” When his parents bought the 17-acre vineyard in 1980, it was run-down with old, unhealthy Palamino and Zinfandel vines. Today, it’s thriving with organically farmed Chardonnay and Zinfandel. Tastings by appointment only. $25 per person, fee waived with purchase of wine. 11750 Mays Canyon Road. 707-869-1475, porter-bass.com

Pond Farm Pottery: Master potter Marguerite Wildenhain put this renowned ceramics studio and artist colony on the map back in the 1940s and ‘50s. Now a designated National Historic Landmark located in the Austin Creek State Recreation Area, it hosts a new artist residency program and docent-led tours for $25 per person the third Saturday from March-October. Reserve spots at pondfarm.org. 17000 Armstrong Woods Road, 707-869-9177

Shopping

Guerneville Wine Collective: This newly opened wine nook takes over where previous Wine Vault owners left off, adding trendy imported tinned fish from Spain and Portugal to the mix. “Our idea is that people can come and grab some pickled veggies, tinned fish, some crisps, a bottle of wine and then go to the river and have a picnic,” says owner Karla Garcia. She opened the wine shop next to Nimble & Finn’s ice cream in the historic Guerneville Bank Club building in May. 16290 Main St., Instagram.com/guernevillewinecollective

Bonzo: Run by husband-and-wife team Eric Gonzales and Beth Miles, this funky clothing and gift shop is the place to go for all things Guerneville-branded, such as river-centric “I Choose the Bear” or Samsquanch T-shirts, “Gville” hats, and “Keeping it Weird Since 1950” hoodies. 14016 Armstrong Woods Road, thebonzo.com

Places to eat

Boon eat + drink: The much-buzzed-about restaurant that helped put Guerneville on the map when chef Crista Luedtke opened in 2009 still garners rave reviews more than 15 years later. The focus is on seasonal, farm-to-table comfort food, so it’s no surprise the flash-fried Brussels sprouts are still the most popular dish, Luedtke says, adding that “the mac ‘n’ cheese is still going strong.” This time of year, look for “blistered tomatoes, seasonal peaches, basil, and really fresh summer vibes on halibut,” she says. No reservations. 16248 Main St. 707-869-0780, eatatboon.com

Road Trip: Chef Crista Luedtke’s latest offering is an ode to her globe-trotting foodie travels and childhood favorites. Look for Mexican street corn salad daily and Thai-style pork Benedict with crispy rice cakes and a Thai hollandaise sauce on the weekend brunch menu. Two of the most popular items are the Free Bird and The Mac Daddy. “Don’t call me out here, but I love a Big Mac and this is my version,” says Luedtke, who makes her own secret sauce. 16218 Main St. 707-604-6102, eatatroadtrip.com

Trillium: The petite 12-seat marble-counter raw bar is the main attraction at this forest-flower-inspired café and lounge run by chef Greg Barnes and wine geek Genevieve Payne. Come for the super-fresh oysters, poke, crudos, and ceviche — but don’t miss the crab roll. And good luck narrowing it down to a glass on the nearly bottomless wine list. 16222 Main St. 707-604-5750, trillium.bar

Saucy Mama’s Jook Joint: Owner Yvette Bidegain has taken her Louisiana family’s recipes and love of Southern cuisine and soul food to another level with the ever-popular fried catfish and her father’s secret-spiced ribs that premiered decades ago to long lines at the Richardson’s Ribs booth at the Sonoma County Fair. From collard greens to sweet potato pie, there’s even something for vegetarians — behold the deep-fried tofu po’boy. 16632 Highway 116. 707-604-7184, saucymamasjookjoint.com

Nimble & Finn’s: Year after year, the most popular flavor at this boutique handmade ice cream shop is lavender honeycomb. But it really depends on what’s in season. Two sisters, Leandra and Jazmin, started with a pushcart freezer at farmers markets, and now make a wide range of flavors from Earl Grey blackberry to toasted coconut date shake. Located inside the historic Guerneville Bank Club building (next to the Wine Collective). Tip: Don’t miss the cool photo booth in the old bank vault behind the counter. 16290 Main St. 707-666-9411, nimbleandfinns.com

Piknik Town Market: First thing to know is, yes, the new owner, Margaret Van der Veen, is still serving the famous biscuits that once made Oprah’s holiday list of “Favorite Things” when the same venue was known as Big Bottom Market. Now the motto is “same biscuit, different basket.” It’s the perfect pop-in spot to grab a breakfast burrito in the morning or a Headlands Hiker sando (beetroot hummus, mixed greens, topped off with pickled cucumber-cashew kale pesto on a ciabatta roll) in the afternoon. 16228 Main St. 707-604-7295, pikniktownmarket.com

El Barrio: One of the tastiest cocktails at this popular mezcal lounge is known as El Patron, named after owner Jimmy Kansau, “because, well, I’m the boss,” he says. Close your eyes and you’ll swear it’s a Mexican Negroni. In addition to handmade tortillas and birria tacos, don’t get Kansau started on the L.A.-style vegetarian tacos with roasted-curry cauliflower, pine nuts, olives, and dates. “It’s kind of like an amalgamation of cultures with this amazing habanero salsa,” he says. “It’s to die for.” 16230 Main St. 707-604-7601, elbarriobar.com

Baked on the River: Helena Gustavsson Giesea’s popular Guerneville café reopened this spring at the R3 Hotel, serving dinner plus brunch and a barbecue lunch on weekends. 16390 Fourth St. 707865-6060, bakedontheriver.com

Places to stay

The River Electric: In addition to the swim club, this glamping resort offers overnight stays in 40 tents. They’re decked out with king-size beds, electricity, and Wi-Fi, tucked away like a luxurious summer camp in the shade of a redwood forest that runs up against the meadow and pool. 16101 Neeley Road. 707-937-8915, theriverelectric.com

Dawn Ranch: This 22-acre spread of chalets, cabins, cottages, bungalows, and tents is an intimate natural river paradise. Chefs Juliana Thorpe and Ignacio Zuzulich spin local produce and seasonal ingredients with a Brazilian, Argentinian, and European twist. Dawn Ranch is also home to the annual Cosmico music festival where the theme is “music is love.” 16467 Highway 116. 707-869-0656, dawnranch.com

The Stavrand: Roll out of bed to a plate of crab Benedict and a flight of mimosas at this off-the-beaten-path hideaway in Pocket Canyon, across the bridge and down the road from The River Electric. Owners Sam and Emily Glick (previously the general manager at the Kimpton Buchanan in San Francisco) bought the former Applewood Inn and turned it into a luxury boutique gem. 13555 Highway 116. 707-869-9093, thestavrand.com

Boon hotel + spa and The Highlands: “I like to call Boon sort of like Palm Springs meets the redwoods. It’s kind of got that mid-century vibe,” says Crista Luedtke, owner of both resorts. “And then Highlands is more like an adult summer camp. A little bit moody, a little bit more like a writer’s retreat.” Take your pick, both have recently been remodeled.

Boon: 14-room boutique hotel with a spa that offers Swedish, deep-tissue, and therapeutic massages, ranging from $145-$215. 14711 Armstrong Woods Road. 707-869-2721, boonhotels.com

The Highlands: Up the hill from Johnson’s Beach, this quirky getaway features rooms, cabins, and Coyote Camp tents. Note to old-timers: The pool is no longer clothing optional like the previous incarnation as Highland Park Lodge. 14000 Woodland Drive. 707-869-0333, highlandsresort.com

AutoCamp: Picture a big campground and lawn nestled among the redwoods west of downtown Guerneville. It’s loaded with 31-foot Airstreams, glamping tents, tiny homes, and the 42-square-foot Happier Camper for a more minimalist stay. Grill out on private outdoor fire pits. The general store is open until 10 p.m. And did we mention complimentary granola? 14120 Old Cazadero Road. autocamp.com/location/russian-river

Mine + Farm: A B&B for cannabis lovers (and beer and wine lovers), this nine-room renovated ranch-house inn grows its own weed. It means guests can toke pre-rolls anywhere from the hot tub to the ping-pong table, or they can dig into special Elevated Experience dinners with cannabis as a featured ingredient. Owners Bryce Skolfield and Suzanne Szostak also cultivate fruit trees, a garden, and chickens on the 3-acre property around the corner from Korbel Winery. 12850 River Road. 707-869-4466, mineandfarm.com

Monte Rio

Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen: Not far from the Monte Rio skate park, this river café with a Middle Eastern twist serves up everything from shakshuka and coconut curry to baklava cream pies and chocolate peanut butter cream pie. And Lightwave might have the raddest T-shirts of any café down by the river, featuring a hand-drawn design with skull and skateboard and gramophone. 9725 Main St. 707-865-5169, lightwavecafe.square.site

Monte Rio Beach: The largest public beach on the lower Russian River offers kayak rentals, soft-serve ice cream, a boat launch, and a dog-friendly area. Tip: There is no better slice of small-rivertown Americana than this beach packed elbow-to-elbow on the Fourth of July for the boat parade and Big Rocky Games. mrrpd.org/monte-rio-beach

Duncans Mills

Gold Coast Coffee and Bakery: Morning pastries and coffee are the go-to wake-up call at this quaint Duncans Mills café. But owner Patrick Parks has also carved out a well-curated musical scene as of late, staging local favorites like Eric Lindell and Sol Horizon, paired with wood-fired pizzas and tasty locally crafted brews. 25377 Steelhead Blvd. 707-865-1441, goldcoastcoffeebakery.com

The post A New Generation Is Bringing Its Own Funky Vibe to the Russian River appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Just in time for summer, there’s a new way to make a splash in Guerneville.

The River Electric —  a camp resort, swim club and event venue —  opened to the public Memorial Day weekend. Less than a five-minute walk from downtown Guerneville, it features two pools, a restaurant and 40 furnished tents.

“We’re trying our hardest to get away from the glamping term. It just feels dated,” said Maggie Wilson, creative director at The River Electric. “We operate as a hotel. This is not DIY camping.”

There are a few different ways to enjoy the camp resort. Guests can lounge by the pools for the day, spend the night in a tent or book a private event, such as a wedding.

Poolside leisure

For those solely interested in swimming, pool day passes start at $35 and include a towel and portable lounge chair to rest on the lawn. The main, 60-foot round pool is arguably the heart of the property. There’s also a smaller, rectangular adults-only pool. Day guests are welcome to splash about from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Exclusively for resort guests, the Pool Bar is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. While the menu is relatively small, it’s impressively creative. Snack on housemade potato chips with pimento cheese or green goddess dressing, or splurge for The Tackle Box: a photogenic spread of Kaluga caviar, smoked trout roe, chives, creme fraiche and more housemade potato chips. No outside food is permitted on the property.

More than glamping

Tucked below redwood trees, tents are equipped with all the necessities for a comfortable night’s rest. Beds are topped with down comforters, area rugs line the floor and there’s electricity for charging all the electronics we can’t seem to travel without these days. Tents are available with one king bed or two double beds. A communal restroom and bathhouse is located between the pool area and the campground.

Thoughtful design

The nods to mid-century design are strong, as is the homage to sunshine-filled, worry-free days of summer camp. But take a closer look, and perhaps the most important design component reveals itself. Everything on the property — from the use of concrete to electric outlets that can handle being submerged for extended lengths of time — was chosen because of its ability to endure Guerneville’s winters and the site’s floodplain location.

“We’re planning for the worst, and we built for the worst,” said co-owner Kelsey Sheofsky. “Everything comes out, gets stored off-site, and then it can flood.”

While packing up and moving practically everything on the property each fall may seem like an exhausting endeavor to most, it’s second nature to the team behind The River Electric, who also owns and operates event production company Shelter Co. The Guerneville resort essentially creates a permanent home for what the Sonoma County-based group has been doing across the country for more than a decade.

Local perks and prices

Every Tuesday, residents of lower Russian River towns that border the river from Forestville to Jenner can enjoy the pools for just $5. When capacity allows, Sunday through Thursday, residents from throughout Sonoma County are invited to swim from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for $5. It’s recommended to call ahead to ensure there’s room before making the trip.

Rates for tent accommodations at The River Electric start at $325. A stay includes a continental breakfast, featuring yogurt, granola, fruit and biscuits from nearby Piknik Town Market. Follow @riverelectric on Instagram for the latest on special events, such as pop-up dinners.

16101 Neeley Road, Guerneville, 707-937-8915, theriverelectric.com

The post Peek Inside The River Electric, a New Camp Resort and Swim Club in Guerneville appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Nick Schwanz and Spencer Scott are living a vision for a more joyful and sustainable future. On their experimental land project in rural Guerneville, the couple demonstrates how a life that centers caring for the earth can be forward-thinking, delicious — and serve the wider community.

In early 2020, Nick and Spencer were living in San Francisco but dreamed of moving to a place where they could build a more thoughtful relationship to the natural world. They began to draw up a list of what that different life could look like, centering the importance of community and resilience. “We made this impossible list so that we wouldn’t do it,” jokes Spencer. “But then when we found this place, it definitely felt like, ‘OK, we’re in.’”

The place that captured their imagination was a 10-acre horse ranch that admittedly was in somewhat rough shape for a future regenerative farm — much of the front acreage was buried under a foot of compacted sand where a riding arena used to be. But it was right in Guerneville, with that town’s strongly rooted queer community, and the couple knew that with effort, the land could be remediated for vegetable beds and orchards. The property also boasted a small redwood grove, a house with enough space to host friends and family, and plenty of access to nearby wild spaces.

“You have to fall in love with land to do a land project,” says Nick. “And there’s nowhere easier to fall in love with land in Northern California. We have the most diverse, the biggest, the most grand, the most sweeping natural ecosystems of anywhere in America. It’s just crazy how magical this place is.”

The couple moved to the farm in 2020. The first order of business? Tearing out the riding arena and building up soil and infrastructure to grow food. “The beginning was actually the easiest part,” says Spencer. “There was so much excitement, and we didn’t know how far we had to go.”

“We had that sprinter energy, like the beginning of a race where you come out of the gate fast,” laughs Nick.

Five years down the road, Solar Punk Farms is an ever-evolving demonstration of a vibrant, positive, inclusive, climate-first existence. With the help of Nick’s father, a master carpenter, they’ve refurbished the house and built a large chicken coop — and a magnificent, spiral, solarpunk-style greenhouse, which has become a local landmark.

Nick and Spencer are also selling produce to local restaurants, teaching schoolkids how to grow food, and giving away 40 cubic yards of compost a month in partnership with Zero Waste Sonoma. Support from Fulcrum Arts, which works with emerging organizations at the intersection of art and science, allowed the couple to hire their first full-time employee to assist with farming outreach and education. They’ve also hosted work parties, climate education talks, homemade brunches for local seniors, wine festivals and even a wedding — their own, on a hand-built stage in the redwood grove out back in the summer of 2023.

Spencer is currently finishing a book about living a climate-forward life, even as the couple continue to shape the vision for the project and work day jobs to keep afloat. “It’s always, ‘What’s the next thing?’ And I think that’s in our blood,” Spencer says. “Nick and I are always doing three jobs and working on three projects all at once.”

Sharing their work

Nick: People are sometimes surprised that this is our home. People will drive into our driveway sometimes, and we’ll just stop and give that random stranger a tour. What helps is that we’re both very passionate about sustainability and this project we’re working on. So it’s a joy to bring people along and make community around the thing we’re really passionate about.

Self-reliance vs. community reliance

Nick: A lot of people, when they think about homesteading, it’s often framed around self-reliance. That’s not what Solar Punk is all about. This is not self-reliance; this is community reliance. One of the chapters of Spencer’s book is called the myth of self-reliance. The idea is that it’s not about being isolationist and showing all the things that we can do on our own. It’s about showing that a project like this requires a ton of community.

The role of a farmer

Spencer: I think we’ve romanticized farming in a certain way that doesn’t give enough respect for how difficult it is. I want to say that in a very positive way. I mean that it’s important to respect how difficult it is to farm — and at the same time, it’s also great to have an herb garden on your windowsill. There are different levels of what farming and growing food means. You don’t need to be a farmer to be a voice within this larger climate and sustainability movement. It’s fun to grow food and eat your own food, but it’s also fun to support your local farmers who are already doing it well. That’s ultimately part of doing a project like this.

Part of something bigger

Nick: From a strategic lens, we’re these millennial, goofy, queer, dorky people, right? Which is behind many of the things we want to do here. So many on-ramps to the bigger climate movement have been depressing for way too long. Everything’s burning, you have to run away from this, etc. The wider solarpunk movement that we named the farm for was founded on the idea that the on-ramps need to be fun and beautiful and optimistic and inclusive and all of these things, because that’s what will get people to join.

On not always knowing what they’re doing

Nick: We’ve talked a lot about how we were just run-of-the-mill, everyday city people and now we are doing this project. And the learning is the point — we’re not doing it because we’re good at farming. We’re doing it because we want to learn how to do it. So expertise isn’t a barrier — that’s one of the messages we’re trying to get at. Not everybody is going to do a land project, not everybody lives in the country, a lot of people live in cities. Everybody’s got different backgrounds. But the climate movement desperately needs everybody involved in some capacity, and being good at something shouldn’t be the limiting factor. Learning how to be good at it should be part of what makes it enjoyable.

Working at the speed of the land

Nick: My biggest awakening and shock with this project was needing to work on a different timeline than I was used to. We took a permaculture design class with Occidental Arts and Ecology Center, and on the last day, we were talking with the teacher, and I told him I’d learned that I really need to slow down. And the teacher said, ‘I’m glad that you called that out. I can tell you want stuff to move faster and be more in your control. And I can tell you, that’s not how a big land project is going to work.’ So it was a really big, energetic shift to a place where you are working at the speed of the land, and that’s fixed. You do as much as you can and then get excited for the next season.

Spencer: It’s been a battle to find a balance between staying motivated and not forgetting to be happy with where this place is at every stage along the way. It helps when people visit and they say, ‘You guys have done so much.’ Because there’s still so much more to do.

Summer on the horizon

Nick: I know everybody says summers on the farm are when it’s really crazy. But for us, spring is super intense, when we’re cleaning and planning and planting and getting all this stuff done. And then June is when all of the investment of spring comes alive and we start to realize the fruits of that labor. The big kickoff to summer is now Big West Wine Fest, and that’s also when we start to do our fun little pool parties. And this year, the garden is going to be producing a ton.

Spencer: There are all these intentionally planted things, and you start getting the fun flowers that come up in the beds after the spring wildflowers finish. So it’s about helping out in the garden, making jam, making big meals with the vegetables. It’s so fun.

Nick: We’ve never had a June like this. There’s going to be so much bounty. This is the first time when I feel like we have enough people here to do it all and do it well, so we’re really excited about it. This is going to be like the unveiling year.

To learn more about regenerative farming, LGBTQ+-friendly work parties and local outreach programs, including free compost distribution, visit solarpunkfarms.com.

Solar Punk Farms hosts the third annual Big West Wine Fest natural wine gathering June 14 and 15. bigwestwinefest.com

The post Solar Punk Farms Provides a Vision for a More Joyful, Sustainable Future appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Coast Redwoods love the water — the more, the better, it seems. They love soupy fog so thick it hangs like mist. They love rain that rushes off ridgelines in seasonal rivulets. And they especially love creeks and rivers that overrun their banks to flood flat valley floors, submerging the feet of the world’s tallest trees.

Foggy weather, plenty of rain, a broad-banked river that regularly floods? Check, check and check — Sonoma has a place like that.

“The Russian River was once coated with beautiful virgin redwood stands,” says Brendan O’Neil, an environmental scientist and Chief of Natural Resources for California State Parks’ Sonoma-Mendocino District. “The most famous of all was called the Big Bottom stands, in Guerneville. That area, because it’s so prone to flooding, ended up growing some of the finest redwoods in all of California.”

The name Big Bottom stuck (it refers to the alluvial floodplain upon which the town sits), but most of the massive trees are long gone, having been logged in the late 1800s and early 1900s, many destined for cigar boxes.

Not only do they appreciate a good soaking, but creekside groves also benefit from the loads of nutrient-rich sediment deposited by floodwaters. “If you look at the trunks of a lot of the giants in Mendocino and Humboldt counties, you see that they lack that taper that you generally see,” O’Neil says. “That’s because they have been buried so many times.”

Redwoods respond by sending out a whole new root system to tap into the fresh topsoil and, even more critically, by producing seeds: a relatively rare occurrence for the species, with fire being the only other trigger.

All redwoods, no matter where, react positively and immediately to water availability in the winter. “You can see trees start to swell when it rains. They store a lot of water in their bark and canopy. They’re essentially huge water pumps,” O’Neil says.

But these botanical marvels don’t only take; they also give. Their gravity-defying canopies are home to an entire ecosystem of living things, including other plants, fairy shrimp, salamanders and flying squirrels. In death, redwoods offer valuable habitat as well, and if they are so fortunate as to fall into a nearby waterway, they can provide hiding spots for spawning salmon.

Survivors of the logging boom face a new set of threats today, and predictably many relate to fog levels, rainfall patterns and river flows — natural factors that humans have interrupted through climate change, dams and other alterations to hydrologic regimes, O’Neil says.

“Not to sign off with a story of woe, but it’s something to think about: all the beautiful things we have in this world, and the challenges we face in how we manage them.”

The post The Russian River Has Grown ‘Some of the Finest Redwoods in All of California.’ Here’s Why appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

When you live in Sonoma County, you’re never lonely for out-of-town visitors. Family, friends, college roommates, even casual acquaintances are all eager to catch up with you and take in all that the region offers.

Now through New Year’s is high season for house guests, with the number of invading out-of-towners larger than the kids’ gift lists. For local hosts, it can be a challenge deciding where to take restless visitors, especially those on a budget. Farm-to-table restaurants and taquerias are a given. Winery tasting rooms? Natch.

Go any direction in Sonoma County, and you will wind up somewhere intriguing. You’re never far from good food, natural beauty and wine tasting. But with so many choices, we’ve creamed off a few foolproof excursions that will fill up a day and make your guests’ stay in Sonoma County more memorable.

Click through the gallery for a four-day itinerary that includes some not-so-obvious explorations of Sonoma County, guaranteed to please your guests as much as you.

Meg McConahey contributed to this article. 

Day 1: Into the Armstrong Woods and to the coast

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve in Guerneville is a great place to introduce visitors to the natural superlatives of Sonoma County. Magnificent, 1,200-year-old Sequoia sempervirens, commonly known as coastal redwoods, tower in a way that makes humans feel very small and very serene. Redwoods are among the natural wonders of the world and among the planet’s oldest living organisms. And they’re an easy drive from anywhere in the county.

The Armstrong reserve features a 1½-mile, ADA-accessible trail, making this an easy outdoors experience for everyone in your group. Arrive early and with jackets to combat the marine chill. At 7:45 a.m., you’ll find an empty parking lot and the quiet woods, sans Segways and smartphone selfie-taking hordes. By contrast, visitors to Marin’s Muir Woods have to make a reservation.

After an hour among the gentle giants, depart as the parking lot begins to fill. Those arriving have had their breakfast, so now it’s time for yours. Coffee Bazaar in Guerneville provides house-roasted coffee and pastries. Or drive a little farther west, along the Russian River, to Duncans Mills’ Gold Coast Coffee and Bakery.

Founded in 1877, Duncans Mills is a quaint station on the way to the coast from the river towns, with a charming general store and a depot museum next to where the Northwestern Pacific Railroad once ran. If you still have Christmas shopping to do, then Duncans Mills is a good place to browse. Don’t miss Jim Raidl’s Jim and Willies, a real curiosity shop of quirky antiques and curios with a friendly proprietor.

On the road again, continue west. For some sea air and wide-open ocean views to amaze visitors from land-locked places, stop at the Vista Trail in Jenner at the mouth of the Russian River. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot some harbor seals.

After watching waves crash in the fresh sea air, you’ll be ready for the drive south on Highway 1 to Bodega Bay. This is the classic Sonoma Coast scene of crashing waves, and trails along the bluff are accessible to most people. Check out the whimsical wind spinners at Candy & Kites, the colorful array of saltwater taffy at Patrick’s and the Japanese prints at Ren Brown Collection Fine Art Gallery.

Start heading inland for a hit of Alfred Hitchcock in the tiny town of Bodega. Snap a “The Birds” selfie outside the old Potter School, immortalized in the scene where schoolchildren run screaming and flailing from their classroom. It’s a private residence, so stay on the road. Then swing by the nearby Saint Teresa of Avila Church, also featured in the film.

You’ll be hungry by now. For lunch, consider the Estero Cafe in Valley Ford just a few minutes’ drive away. The restaurant pays homage to local farmers with its hand-lettered chalkboard menus and homestyle food. Its inventive brunches, sandwiches and salads make it one of the county’s top foodie destinations.

Day 2: Healdsburg for the holidays

Start your day by taking in one of the most spectacular gems of Sonoma County — Lake Sonoma. Then head to Healdsburg (a 10-minute drive) for a leisurely breakfast at Costeaux French Bakery.

Costeaux French Bakery is a frequent winner in baking competitions, and its fresh breads are served in Sonoma restaurants. But not many people know that Costeaux serves great breakfasts and lunches.

After breakfast, let the bookworms and audiophiles in the group browse the fiction, vinyl and CD selection at Levin & Company. Take the stairs to the mezzanine for its collection of local art, jewelry and crafts. Next, visit the antique markets — like Shoffeitt’s Off the Square and Antique Harvest — all within easy walking distance of the plaza.

No Healdsburg visit is complete without a winery stop, or two. Lambert Bridge boasts a tasting room with a large fireplace, making it a cozy place for sipping wines in colder months. The Healdsburg Bubble Bar, nestled in a quaint 1906 Queen Anne Victorian near the plaza, offers a wide assortment of sparkling wines.

As the sun goes down, head to Barndiva for a craft cocktail and dinner, and watch the outdoor lights twinkle over the quirky art on the patio. Don’t miss the eclectic collection of British Cigarette Cards at the Gallery Bar.

Day 3: In search of lost time, and more wine, in Sonoma Valley

Winter is a good time to check out the new museum exhibit in Jack London State Historic Park. Even if it’s too cold or wet to hike, you can take cover in the House of Happy Walls museum dedicated to the great writer and his wife, Charmian.

Right outside the park gate, Benziger Family Winery offers vineyard tram tours that will get you out of the tasting room and among the vines, which have their own sculpted beauty in winter.

Make it an outdoorsy day at Sonoma Botanical Garden, one of Sonoma County’s secret spots. Few travel writers have discovered it, meaning you may have this 20-acre garden of rare Asian plants all to yourself. Easy paths wind past ponds and through dense plantings of trees and shrubs with something of interest in every season. There is a nice gift shop for garden lovers as well as golf cart tours by arrangement for those with mobility problems.

In the town of Sonoma, the walkable square offers places to sip, shop and dine. For celebratory sparkles during the holidays, there’s SIGH Champagne bar. No reservations needed, and they always offer three flights of French, Californian and other tantalizing sparklers. If you have teetotalers or beer drinkers in your party, this is a great tasting room option. They also offer draft beer, regular wine and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as snack-sized bites, both savory and sweet.

Sonoma Plaza offers holiday cheer and attractions for history buffs, from the Sonoma Mission to the barracks and Toscano Hotel, all within two blocks. There’s a big parking lot behind the barracks on First Street East.

When you’re ready for a bite to eat, consider Tasca Tasca (TT Tapas). Tasca stands for tavern or pub in Portugal. Chef Manuel Azevedo offers updated Portuguese tapas with a fresh Sonoma spin. They’re also open late. Or head down Broadway to HopMonk Tavern for bar bites and beer, washed down with live music on the weekends.

Day 4: Petaluma, Sebastopol and a farm-to-table finale in Forestville

The age of Petaluma, settled in the 1850s, might not impress visitors from Europe, but the downtown’s quaint storefronts, heritage homes and retro memorabilia will make even your English uncle or Swedish aunt melt. But first, start with breakfast at Della Fattoria, one of the country’s finest bread bakers, famous for its Meyer lemon rosemary boule. Try the breakfast toast with ricotta cheese, banana slices, toasted pecans and honey.

Downtown, check out the vintage guitars and mandolins at Tall Toad Music and the 1,800 varieties of heirloom seeds at The Seed Bank, owned by Baker Creek, one of the country’s leading purveyors of heirloom seed.

For the afternoon, get behind the wheel and drive the 17 miles to Sebastopol’s The Barlow. Designed to look like old farm industrial buildings — without the dirt and rust — this marketplace is good for browsing. Watch local makers in action at restaurants, wineries, breweries and cideries, and art, jewelry, glass, crafts, design and clothing studios.

If you want to arrange for a farm-to-table grand finale, you could make reservations at Farmhouse Inn’s upscale but surprisingly low-key Michelin-starred restaurant in Forestville. For a more affordable but still delicious option, Farmhouse Inn’s casual eatery Farmstand serves woodfired dishes and pizza.

The post Holiday Guests Coming? Here Are 4 Perfect Sonoma County Day Trips appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

The pace of the Russian River sets up a leisurely tempo of life in west Sonoma County. In this laid-back enclave of charming redwood cabins nestled into steep hillsides, you are bound to find your own rhythm in relaxed Russian River style.

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 excellent places to eat and drink, it is a great place to kick back and soak up the sun during summer days. Click through the above gallery for a few of our favorite places in Guerneville. 

The post 10 Best Things to Do in Guerneville, CA appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

These days, for those in the know, Guerneville is one of the area’s best summertime retreats, brimming with chef-driven restaurants and reimagined old-school resorts that celebrate the redwoods and the Russian River.

It’s a spot where LGBTQ+ culture shines, earning the town the nickname the “Gay Riviera.” Though Guerneville hosts their Pride parade in October, it’s a destination for food lovers at any time of year—especially during those long summer evenings of Pride Month in June.

Start your weekend with a stroll downtown, chockablock with dive-y yet convivial bars, a few so-tacky-they’re-fun souvenir shops, and tasting rooms. Pick up hearty sandwiches at PikNik Town Market (16228 Main St., 707-604-7295, pikniktownmarket.com). New owner Mags van der Veen still serves the Oprah-approved Big Bottom biscuits, stuffed with delights like fresh blueberries and Bavarian cream, or smothered in mushroom gravy.

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve (17000 Armstrong Woods Rd., 707-869-2015, parks.ca.gov) is an 805-acre forest of redwoods towering up to 350 feet, just a mile or so from downtown. Breathe deep and savor the velvety quiet and solitude; the massive trees are often shrouded in mystical fog.

After a hike, head to celebrity chef Crista Luedtke’s brand-new Road Trip restaurant (16248 Main St., 707-869-0780), where the opening menu is inspired by Luedtke’s travels, including Texas BBQ flatbread with pulled pork, banh mi panzanella salad, Mexican street corn salad, and the Mac Daddy burger. Then it’s time to waddle off to sleep.

In the morning, start off with a short walk through town, poking into galleries and shops including local favorite Russian River Books & Letters (14045 Armstrong Woods Rd., Guerneville, 707-604-7197, booksletters.com) — coffee is right next door.

After, wander down to Johnson’s Beach (16215 First St., johnsonsbeach.com), where you can dip your toes in the Russian River, rent inner tubes and kayaks, or just relax under an umbrella.

Then drive over the Russian River bridge for a tasting at Porter-Bass Winery (11750 Mays Canyon Road, 707-869-1475, porter-bass.com). Cooled by ocean breezes, their biodynamic vineyards produce top-notch Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel. Tastings are held at a wood plank set up under a shady walnut tree, in the company of veggie plots, orchards, dogs and cows.

Nearby is the historic (but recently renovated) Dawn Ranch (16467 Hwy. 116, 707-869-0656, dawnranch.com), where chef Fernando Trocca can prepare a storybook picnic to savor on the resort grounds, stocked with goodies like local cheeses, salumi, sea salt crusted hearth bread, fruit, chocolate, and optional wine (yes, get the wine).

In town, skip over to Nimble & Finn’s inside the Guerneville Bank Club (16290 Main St., 707-666-9411, nimbleandfinns.com) for a scoop of housemade artisanal ice cream made with Straus Family Creamery organic dairy, seasonal produce and housemade jams. Sisters and owners Jazmin Hooijer and Leandra Serena Beaver dream up magical concoctions like lavender honeycomb, Meyer lemon olive oil chocolate chunk and whiskey butterscotch.

Delight in dinner at boon eat + drink (16248 Main St., 707-869-0780). Another Crista Luedtke project, this always-bustling cafe wows with Sonoma County-spirited dishes, like some of the best mac and cheese you’ll ever have, dotted with mushrooms and truffle breadcrumbs, or spicy, chile-braised pork shoulder with slaw and pepitas. The flavors will carry you home—and rest assured, you’ll want to return.

Where to Stay

boon hotel + spa A sister property to boon eat + drink with 14 rooms in historic miners’ cabins tucked amid stately redwoods, and a “Mad Men”-style glitzy swimming pool. 707-869-2721, boonhotels.com 

Dawn Ranch Beautifully redone cabins with high-end finishes, plus orchards and forests to explore, including a rare dawn redwood tree which gives the resort its name. 707-869-0656, dawnranch.com

Johnson’s Beach Historic cabins, tent cabins, and camping by the river. johnsonsbeach.com 

The Stavrand Russian River Valley Named to Travel + Leisure’s 2022 It List, the stately resort has been reimagined as a luxury destination with outdoor hot tubs under the stars. 707-869-9093, thestavrand.com

The post Best Places to Eat, Drink and Stay in Guerneville appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

As a symbol of renewal, fresh eggs get a lot of attention this time of year. Their sunny yolks and over-easy dispositions make them inescapable breakfast workhorses. Here are our favorite egg breakfasts. Click through the above gallery for more.

The Log Lifter

Buttermilk Biscuits and Gravy with Scrambled Eggs
Baker & Cook

Originating in 19th century lumberjack camps, this gut-stuffing breakfast warms the heart and fills the belly for a long day of timbering—or couch surfing. $18.

18812 Highway 12, Sonoma. 707-938-7329, bakerandcooksonoma.com

Greet the Meat

Midtown Corned Beef Hash
J&M’s Midtown Cafe

House-cured corned beef, crisp hash browns, and melted cheese lay a tasty base for gooey poached egg yolks that slowly drizzle over the beautiful mess. Chef’s kiss. $16.

1422 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707-545-2233, jm-midtowncafe.com

Bling Your Benedict

Lox and Latke Benedict with Caviar
Grossman’s Noshery & Bar

This bougie breakfast substitutes crisp potato latkes and luxurious lox for the usual Benedict players. A schmaltz Hollandaise and caviar pile on the posh. $32.

308 Wilson St., Santa Rosa. 707-595-7707, grossmanssr.com

Hugs and Quiches

Deep Dish Quiche
Costeaux Bakery Cafe

The Godzilla of quiches, this mighty mountain of eggs, ham, bacon, cheese, and crust at this local institution absolutely crushes the competition. $15.

417 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 707-433-1913, costeaux.com

Morning Nachos

Chilaquiles
La Texanita

Somewhere between crispy and soggy is the perfect texture of tortilla chips smothered in salsa rojo, cotija cheese, and onions, and topped with scrambled or poached eggs. Add carnitas if you’re feeling sassy. $20.

1667 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa. 707-527-7331, latexanita.com

The Mix Don’t Lie

Shakshuka
Pearl

The Arabic origins of this roiling red dish mean “mixed up,” but the piquant (not hot) combination of paprika, chickpeas, tomatoes, peppers, grilled Halloumi cheese, and baked eggs is more beauty than beast. $25.

500 First St., Petaluma. 707-559-5187, pearlpetaluma.com

Morning Motivator

Breakfast Sandwich
Americana

Greet the day with this easy, handheld traveler of a sando. Two overhard eggs, Estero Gold cheese, spinach, and housemade aioli on buttery toasted sourdough.

$15. 162 N. Main St., Sebastopol and 205 Fifth St., Santa Rosa. 707-827-3309, americanasr.com

Très Français

French Folded Eggs
Willow Wood Market Cafe

Velvety curds of steamed egg stippled with fontina cheese and basil will leave you wondering why Americans insist on overcooking and overstuffing this breakfast classic.

$16.75. 9020 Graton Rd., Graton. 707-823-0233, willowwoodgraton.com

The post 8 Favorite Breakfasts in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

A visit to Sonoma Wine Country doesn’t have to break the bank. You can fill your belly at inexpensive restaurants, spend the night at chic and affordable hotels and, perhaps most importantly, enjoy free or cheap wine tastings.

From quaint small town tasting rooms to sprawling wine gardens, Sonoma County offers wine sipping opportunities that will please your palate as well as your pocketbook. Click through the above gallery to discover wineries where you can taste wine for free or cheap ($20 and less).

Tina Caputo, Sarah Doyle and Linda Murphy contributed to this article. 

The post 10 Free and Cheap Wine Tastings in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.