The Russian River Valley has been a favorite vacation destination for my family for over 15 years.  In fact, when we first discovered the region, it was pre-kids.  We’d rent a house with friends for the weekend and could hardly motivate ourselves to venture away from the comfort of the house, and of course, the hot tub! 

Over the years, our weekend trips with friends have turned into week-long visits with our kids. Our top search criteria when we look for rental houses is still that it has a hot tub, but we’ve discovered many reasons to tear ourselves away from the house and explore the Russian River Valley and nearby towns.

On our most recent trip, we found it was not hard to revert to our old ways and isolate at home, in compliance with Covid guidelines.  But we look forward to venturing out again when it’s safe to do so.  

Here are my top 5 reasons to venture away from the hot tub:  

1. French Fries!  

It’s no secret that I take my French fries very seriously, and the Russian River Valley has two destinations that I am officially adding to my list of the Best French Fries.   

The first is The Birds Café where you can enjoy tasty fish tacos, clam chowder, and perfectly crispy French fries from the outdoor deck overlooking Bodega Bay.   

The second destination for gourmet French fries is Boon Eat + Drink in downtown Guerneville.  The menu is full of California-inspired cuisine, with many delicious plates.  But if we dine together, I will insist that you share an order of truffle fries with me.  And by ‘share’ I mean that I will eat most of them, but I won’t feel guilty because we shared them!  (During the Covid pandemic, Boon’s garden dining is open and take-out is available.) 

2. Fresh Bread and Pastries 

It’s possible that the reason my family started staying in the area for longer stretches of time is because we keep discovering new places to get amazing fresh bread.  Our first discovery was Raymond’s Bakery.  When we drove into the parking lot the first time and discovered it was closed for the winter season, the owner, Mark, who was hosting some Airbnb guests, came out and insisted that we join his guests for pastries.  Raymond’s is open for live music and pizza most Friday nights in the summer.  (Take-out only during the Covid Pandemic).  I recommend the Kitchen Sink Pizza! 

Next, we learned about Wild Flour Bread, a bakery in the nearby town of Freestone.  With the town population listed as 32, this place is a true destination and completely worth the detour!  Conveniently, the Freestone Artisan Cheese Shop is down the road, and there is a little Redwood grove with picnic tables a few steps away.  My favorite breads are the rosemary garlic loaf, the blueberry lemon scones, and the decadent Bohemian, filled with sticky apricot goodness.    

The General Store in Duncans Mills also has fresh bread.  I love to pick up a warm loaf of jalapeno cheddar bread, and a few cheese wedges on our way to hike in Bodega Bay.  

3. Duncans Mills Village 

For several years, we would drive right through Duncans Mills Village on our way to Bodega Bay, never realizing what we were missing.  From River Road / Highway 116, all you see are the General Store and a few shops, but there are over 20 shops, art galleries, restaurants, and a wine tasting room tucked away in this little village.   

The fresh bread at the General Store is enough of a reason to visit, but they also carry over 60 types of craft beers and specialty drinks, a selection of artisan cheeses, and other riverside picnic essentials.       

 

Don’t worry, this shopping experience will not disrupt the vibe of your rural getaway.  Sometimes there are even cows grazing in the meadow behind the shops! 

4. Hiking 

With the Russian River Valley as your home base, you have access to so many stunning landscapes, and hiking is one of the best ways to experience them.   

From Shell Beach, one option is to take the Kortum Trail along the coast, which is flat and gives you vast ocean views.  For a more challenging hike with a more diverse terrain, cross the road and go to Pomo Canyon Trail. 

My newest favorite hike for dramatic ocean views is the Bodega Head Trail.  This can be a windy spot, so bring layers! And nourish yourself afterwards with a crab sandwich from Fisherman’s Cove.   

5. Redwood Trees 

Technically, you don’t have to leave the hot tub to enjoy the company of the Redwood trees.  Since they thrive in the climate of the Russian River Valley, it’s easy to find a rental home that is surrounded by these majestic trees.   

But few experiences can put things in perspective like a walk through an old-growth grove of Redwoods.  Armstrong  Redwoods State Park  has trees that are over 1000 years old and hiking (or strolling) trails for every level of hiker. 

And at the end of your hike, you can head back to your hot tub for a relaxing soak.  Enjoy!