Russian River Trip w/ My Little Brother

Hey all...

Near the middle of this coming June, my younger brother is coming out to L.A. and we are going to drive up to the Russian River area. One of my girlfriends and I stayed at Jenner Inn a couple of years ago and thought it was just a beautiful area. My brother (33 years old) is very outdoorsy...his older sister (me...44), not so much so...but I love the spectacular landscape of northern California...especially compared to Los Angeles.

We plan on doing some canoeing/kayaking (yeah...I canoed a lot as a kid...think I can handle that), hiking and stopping at a few wineries. Will probably stay in the area for 3 nights. We decided not to rough it too much...but someplace rustic or unique and not too pricey might fit the bill. I like heat and a safe place to stay and our own bathroom! And while it is a lovely romantic area up north, it would be nice to have 2 beds! (cuts out some of the romantic bed and breakfasts!)

Only place I%26#39;ve stayed is Jenner Inn. Also visited Duncan Mills for shopping/dinner which was just adorable. What towns in the area...and specific spots might you suggest staying. I%26#39;ve read in several posts that Guernenville is rather nasty and dirty. And while my brother and I both have a number of gay friends, we%26#39;d probably like to avoid the gay-oriented hotels in the area.

Suggestions for towns to stay in that would be a good base area? Suggestions for lodging?

By the way...how is the area after the big rains this year? Anything we should be aware of?

Thanks so very much for all the help....any ideas of fun stuff to do would be appreciated also....

rowjo

Russian River Trip w/ My Little Brother

Since your visit will be centered upon outdoor activities, I%26#39;d stay right on the coast and Jenner Inn is still a very good choice. Another great place with cottages (and an xlnt restaurant) is River%26#39;s End (www.ilovesunsets.com/lodging.html) also on the Jenner coast. Further to the so., there are a number of choices of lodging in Bodega Bay (www.bodegabay.com), but the resort inns there can be relatively pricey. It%26#39;s still worth checking into since there are also less expensive choices. Also, be sure to check Ridenhour Ranchhouse Inn (www.ridenhourinn.com) a very nice, reasonably priced B%26amp;B inn located just east of Korbel Winery off River Rd. (a short drive to the coast). I believe they have at least one room with 2 queen beds.

Re: storm damage, there is still some cleanup and roadwork going on as a result of the Winter floods and slides, but nothing major in the Russian River area that would pose a problem for visitors--and by June, hopefully, most everything will be taken care of.

Russian River Trip w/ My Little Brother

Plenty of easy coastal hiking between Jenner and Bodega Bay, and also along the Russian River. Armstrong Redwoods, often mentioned here, is a great place to see the redwoods, Even less well known is the adjoining Austin Creek State Recreation Area, you can hike, or even drive, up from Armstrong%26#39;s redwoods into a more open area of oak woodland, grassland and chapparal. Walk in and drive in campsites available. Canoe rentals are available near Healdsburg. Lots of variation in the vegetation in this region, seaside sagebrush, deep redwood forest, oak savannahs, chapparal, and riparian woodland.

Well, I see that the road into Austin Creek SRA is storm damaged and won%26#39;t be repaired for some time, as a result camping there is a no go in the meantime.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=450

Thanks so much for the info! I had bookmarked Ridenhour as a possible spot...looks cozy. Know anything about Fern Grove Cottages? We may even go with a vacation rental cabin for a few days...have been looking at some of those. The $70-$90 cleaning fee is the kicker there! But some spots look quite nice. My brother and I will chat tomorrow...we have to make sure we are on the same page as to what kind of spot to stay. I%26#39;m all about wine tasting and relaxing and maybe a jacuzzi...my brother%26#39;s got somewhat simpler tastes (but could be presuaded!).

Jenner Inn is definitely a possibility too...I just thought the Guerneville area might be more central to coast and Armstrong Woods. And I know Guerneville is very gay friendly...but I hear also very hetereo friendly...and kind of a cool, funky place. Does it get really crowded? Any other towns we might check out? Do you think Healdsburg is too far inland?

I

t looks like there is a big Blues Festival on the Russian River around the time we are thinking of being up in the area. Is it packed at that time? Could be fun...I%26#39;m originally from Chicago area...my brother still lives outside Chicago...so I do like myself some Blues!

Thanks again very much for the help...I really love hearing from people who know the area before I travel...

rowjo

The Blues on the River Festival is happening June 17 %26amp; 18 and events run from late morning thru early evening. Altho%26#39; it usually doesn%26#39;t garner the crowds that the Sept. Jazz Festival does, it%26#39;s still a very popular event--and it does get quite crowded aound Guerneville as a result. I really would not suggest coming at that time unless one of your primary reasons is to attend the Festival. If you and your brother are seeking a quieter and more relaxed getaway, I%26#39;d recommend being here during the wk. rather than around a wkend. Jenner is less than a half hr. from Armstrong Woods, so it%26#39;s definitely not too far to stay. Healdsburg is a great town, but it can get pricey to stay there, unless you opt for a Best Western. I have a feeling that your brother would appreciate a more rustic environment rather than the trendy, upscale atmosphere that Healdsburg offers. There are certainly a lot of excellent wineries close to Healdsburg. The town is about an hour from the coast.

Well...based on my brother%26#39;s availablity, we may be in the area the weekend of the Blues Festival...we%26#39;ll see how that works out...

Know anything about the Fern Grove Cottages? They sound like they are right in Guerneville proper...is Ridenhour a bit further out from town?

thanks again!

rowjo

One more thing...we are also looking at vacation rentals for a few days...I%26#39;ve been looking at Russian River Getaways. Seems to be several smaller, more afordable cabins in the Cazadero and Monte Rio areas...what are your thoughts on those areas? Vacation rentals?

Thanks again everyone!

rowjo

Yes, Fern Grove Cottages is on the main hwy. right in Guerneville and Ridenhour is 3-4 miles east of Guerneville up on a hill above River Rd. and in an area of forest and vineyards. Monte Rio is just SW of Guerneville and Cazadero is NW, with the latter being more remote. I love the Cazsonoma Lodge (www.cazsonoma.com) which has rooms as well as cabins, but it is out of the way. Worth it to many visitors since you can stay in a redwood forest with no other properties close by. Be careful and do some extra research here, as the cabins in the Monte Rio and Caz areas really run the full spectrum from quite nice to pretty rundown.

Thanks for all the suggestions! My brother is reviewing the info I sent him to see what he thinks.

Since I%26#39;m just sitting around waiting, I have been cruising around the internet.

What does anyone think of stayingi n the Monte Rio area? Seems like a good location. Village Inn looks very nice...but is booked for when we%26#39;d be there.

What about Highland Dell Lodge? Northwood Lodge? Rio Villa Beach Resort?

thanks!

rowjo

Well, my brother reviewed the info. I was leaning toward Ridenhour.B%26amp; B..but he said he never dreamed he%26#39;d be sharing a lovely bed and breakfast...with his sister! He is a smart aleck...

He likes the idea of renting a cabin/vacation rental so we can set up more of a homebase. May even stay 4 nights now so we can really explore and do so at a more leisurely pace.

Any of the areas suffer more flood damage so we should be sure to ask before renting?

Guernenville

Monte Rio

Cazadero/Austin Creek Area

Forestville

Anything else to watch out for?

Also...is Russian River Getaways a pretty reliable outfit? They seems to have several selections we may be interested in? Looking at others also.

Thanks again...I%26#39;m getting this trip inked soon! If it kills me! At least my brother has gotten his plane ticket to fly out here...one step down...

:-) rowjo