It’s unsurprising that a mountain-lady and water-guy found a place that translates to “River Mountain” to get married, and we want to tell you all about it! The main attractions in Monte Rio and its surrounding towns are relaxation, togetherness, and nature – but it’s very much a choose-your-adventure type of locale with something for everybody.

Monte Rio itself is a quaint, forested town with a very lazy river. In the summertime, families come together to slow down and enjoy the big trees, sunshine, and fun in the water. There are a few restaurants, coffee shops, and hotels - but it’s not the center of nightlife. In August, temperatures range from 50-90F, and it is usually very sunny.

This is a list of things to do in and around Monte Rio, with more info (and our nifty homemade map) if you scroll down to the "Towns Nearby" section.

🏞️ River Relaxation - In summertime, the river’s clean water, gentle current, and comfortable water temperatures make river-related activities like floating, swimming, and kayaking one of the most popular activities for all ages. The river can be accessed via Monte Rio Beach in Monte Rio, or Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville. Both places have dedicated parking, concessions, bathrooms, and boat rentals. Some local hotels and Airbnbs offer private dock access, and you can also contact R2T2 Taxi for equipment rentals and shuttle drop-offs. At the river, be sure to bring floaties, sun protection, hydration, refreshments, and footwear appropriate for gravel.

🏞️ Hugging Trees - The closest and most accessible forest is the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. The reserve features easily accessible Giant Redwoods (<0.1 miles from the parking lot on a flat trail) and a variety of multi-mile hiking options. Some of the trees in this reserve are over 1400 yrs old and greater than 300 ft tall.

🍷 Wine Tasting - Monte Rio is in Sonoma County, which means that there are a number of wineries and tours nearby. Korbel Champagne Cellars is the closest winery and offers a complimentary tasting and 1 hour tour. For those looking to hop between several vineyards, Windsor Wine Tours offers pickup in the Guerneville/Monte Rio area. There are great tasting rooms in Jenner and Guerneville, as well, plus 16 wineries between Guerneville and Healdsburg.

🦭 Ocean Exploration - The river meets a rugged coastline just a few minutes away from Monte Rio. This area is ideal for beach walks, seal watching, and dining with a view. Swimming is not advised due to currents and things that eat seals (sharks). The coastline just north of Jenner has excellent tidepools during low tide - don’t forget water shoes! Bodega Bay is 15-minutes down the road from Jenner and offers hiking, biking and on-the-water seafood spots.

⛳ Other Outdoor Activities:

Northwood Golf Course (Monte Rio) - rated one of the top nine hole courses in America, this majestic course is open to the public and just around the corner from our venue. Book ahead of time.

Fishing - the Russian River is a year-round fishery. The best time of year is in the Winter when 10+ lb steelhead run up the river. During our wedding time, Small-mouth Bass and Bluegill are the most common catch.

Nature/Bird-watching - Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons and even River Otters can be seen on a morning stroll or kayak.

Sonoma Zipline Adventures is a 10 minute drive from Monte Rio and features seven ziplines and two skybridges. This is your opportunity to travel at 40 miles/hr and 250 ft above the canopy floor.

Some of these town are mentioned above, but here's a quick description of each based on our visits and recommendations - including their distance from Monte Rio.

Guerneville (10 minutes drive): Guerneville is a small, but happening spot! It's a vibrant and rustic community with unique shops, all kinds of dining/bars, and a welcoming atmosphere for everyone, including the LGBTQ community. It's a great place to stay if you're wanting someplace walkable and social, while still being close to the river. **Guerneville has a medical clinic in case of emergencies.**

Healdsburg (40 minutes drive): This is a picturesque town that's bigger and more developed than Guerneville. It has a central plaza surrounded by top-tier wine tasting rooms, fine dining, and cute boutiques. People go there for a traditional, upscale Sonoma Wine Country experience. Temperatures run a little hotter in Healdsburg than other nearby plaes, so bear that in mind when booking your accommodation. **Healdsburg has a hospital in case of emergencies.**

Occidental (10 minutes drive): This adorable 2-block town between Monte Rio and Sebastopol is a fun place to stop and/or find reasonably priced accommodation in the heart of a Redwood forest. Try the epic bruschetta at Union Hotel, shop at a cute vintage store, or book a nice dinner at Hazel.

Jenner (15 minutes drive): Views. Views. Views! Learn more about Jenner in the "Ocean Exploration" section up above. There's not much accommodation there, but it's a great place to visit for an afternoon or stop during a road trip. Don't swim here because the currents are strong, and it's sharky!

Sebastopol (30 minutes drive): Known for an artsy vibe, Sebastopol is a granola-meets-hip entry point to Sonoma's Wine Country. You can tour artist studios (mostly at artist residence, so some planning is required) or grab a bite to eat (Screaming Mimi’s Ice Cream, Mom’s Pie’s, Sebastopol Cookie Company, or the local farmers market). A popular stop is The Barlow, a trendy 12-acre open market known its restaurants, breweries and shopping.

Cazadero (15 minute drive): The forested retreat of Cazadero has a few restaurants, a general store, and lots of fun/funky rentals. It is for those looking for a more secluded escape in the woods. The creek running from Cazadero down into the Russian River is dotted with private swimming holes, some of which are accessible from rental properties.

Duncan Mills: Only 5 minutes from Monte Rio, this tiny town has its own cute selection of shopping and dining, including a decent-sized general store with great cuts of fresh meat.