Guerneville
Johnson's Beach - Laze away the long summer days at this family-friendly sandy beach along the wide smooth-flowing Russian River. The beach has a little area roped off for small kids to wade, bigger kids will enjoy renting pedal boats, canoes or kayaks. On a hot day, this is the place to cool off. There's a snack bar, bring your beach chairs and towels (and if you've forgotten them, you can purchase sand toys and towels at the shops in Guerneville.)
Monte Rio Public Beach - Down the road (going west), this is another great sandy beach along the river.Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve (Woods Rd.) - Just minutes from the center of Guerneville, go for a hike in the redwoods! Miles of trails through the magnificent coast redwoods, the tallest tree is 310 ft high (that’s taller than the length of a soccer field), the oldest tree is 1400+ years old. On a hot day the redwoods are cool and shady, in other seasons misty and mysterious.
Kids of any age (even toddlers) can go for a walk on the Pioneer Nature Trail, it's largely level. A nice loop is the Pioneer Nature Trail, turn left at the Icicle Tree to the Armstrong Nature Trail (stop to see the Colonel Armstrong tree), and loop back on the Discovery Trail.
There are picnic tables at the end of the Pioneer Nature Trail, as well as tables next to the parking lot and Visitor Center.
Go kayaking or canoeing - In summer, the Russian River is the perfect place to go boating. Rent a kayak or canoe, paddle away, and the boat rental companies will pick up you and the boats down the river. Canoes or kayaks, life vests, paddles and transportation are provided. In Guerneville, there's King's Sport, and in Forestville Burke's Canoe Trips.
