Our Area
Welcome to Monte Rio
Starting in the 1870s, Monte Rio was a stop on the North Pacific Coast Railroad connecting Cazadero to the Sausalito, California ferry. Redwood lumber from local sawmills was shipped to build San Francisco. After the sawmills left, the area became known as Vacation Wonderland, with trains transporting San Franciscans to summer cabins and even a seven-story hotel downtown. Portions of the 1942 Academy Award-winning film “White Christmas” were filmed at the Village Inn Resort. Although the trains have left and the area now is mainly inhabited by full-year residents, Monte Rio still welcomes vacationers with beautiful scenery and an unbeatable temperate micro-climate.
Entertainment
The Rio Theater and Café is a historic Quonset hut movie theater and café. Showing classic and new movies. They also host many community events. The Curtain Call Theater is a first-rate live performance theater in Monte Rio, with theater shows, music, dance, art exhibits, and classes. Nearby Guerneville has several restaurants with live music nightly during the summer season; mostly on the weekends in the off-season. Look up Main Street Station, Trio, and the Rio Nido Roadhouse to see who’s playing.
Dining
The Village Inn Restaurant features locally sourced wine country cuisine with a Sonoma County wine list and a full bar. A locals’ favorite is Lucy’s Lounge and Grill serving breakfast and lunch, with a bar open throughout the evening. The Northwood Golf Club also has a restaurant and a café.
Outdoors
Monte Rio Beach is a short walk away. Here you can enjoy the beach, rent a canoe or kayak, or have a picnic. There is also a food concession stand, volleyball courts, and horseshoe pits. The beach is open to the public Memorial weekend through the last weekend in September. Creekside Park has terrain that skate kids of all ages will enjoy. Armstrong Redwoods State National Reserve is a wooded grove with a magnificent redwood forest. It includes a visitor center, amphitheater, nature trails and picnic facilities. Drive to the top above the redwood line for spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.
Golf
The Northwood Golf Course is ranked #3 in the nation for its 9-hole courses. Northwood Golf Course combines the magic of the architecture of Alister MacKenzie set amidst towering redwood trees, along with a restaurant and bar with a view of the greens.
Nearby Towns
Historic Duncans Mills has a unique mixture of antique and specialty shops, restaurants and galleries. Guerneville has much to offer including restaurants, bars, art galleries, a brewery and more; check out the Russian River Chamber of Commerce website for more information. Continuing west on Highway 116 will take you to Highway 1 and Jenner, gateway to the Pacific Ocean and Sonoma Coast State Park. Visit their website for more information.
Russian River Wines
The Russian River Valley is noted for it’s world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but many other cool-climate-loving varietals do well here too. Find out all about them by visiting the Russian River Valley Winegrowers website, which also has winery tours, maps, and events.
