The Best of the Russian River With Kids: Where to Stay, Eat & Explore

Almost 15 years ago, Taryn and I serendipitously connected in Northern California, and one of our first dates was in the Russian River area.

We had not been back together since, so this year, we finally returned, with our kids.

There was something pretty special about driving some of the same roads, stopping in the same little towns, and coming back to a place that was part of the beginning of our relationship, now as a family of four.

We based ourselves in Occidental and spent the weekend exploring the Russian River, Guerneville, the redwoods, the Bohemian Highway, and the Sonoma Coast. On the way home, we took the scenic route through Bodega Bay, Tomales Bay, Muir Woods, and San Francisco.

If you are planning a Russian River trip with kids, these were our favorite places to stay, eat, and explore.

Where We Stayed: The Trees in Occidental

We stayed at The Trees, part of Occidental Guest House, and it ended up being the perfect home base for the weekend.

The house sits on three secluded acres in the redwoods just outside Occidental. It has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, trails around the property, an outdoor amphitheater, and a huge redwood table outside.

We loved starting our mornings slowly with coffee while the kids explored outside. Occidental itself is small, relaxed, and charming, and it puts you close to Guerneville, the Russian River, the redwoods, and the coast without feeling busy.

It was exactly what we were looking for.

Things to Do Around the Russian River

Drive the Bohemian Highway

One of our favorite parts of the trip was simply driving the Bohemian Highway through Occidental, Camp Meeker, and Monte Rio.

The road winds through redwoods and tiny towns, and it is the kind of drive where it is worth leaving some room in the schedule to stop when something catches your eye.

Walk Through Armstrong Redwoods

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve is just outside Guerneville and is an easy stop with kids.

You do not need to do a long hike to enjoy it. Even a short walk gets you underneath the huge old-growth redwoods, and the trails are easy enough for a family outing.

Explore Goat Rock Beach

We headed out to Goat Rock Beach after the redwoods, and it was one of our favorite coastal stops.

The scenery is dramatic, with cliffs, open beach, and the Russian River meeting the Pacific nearby. It is a great place to walk around, let the kids explore, and take in the coast.

Spend a Day on the Russian River

Our river day was probably my favorite part of the trip.

We rented stand-up paddleboards, packed a picnic, and spent most of the day on the water. We paddled, swam, found a rope swing, stopped for lunch, and just hung out.

It felt like a real summer day.

If you are doing this with kids, bring water shoes, sunscreen, a dry bag, plenty of water, and a picnic. I also would not plan too much afterward. You will probably want to stay longer than you think.

Swim at Johnson’s Beach

We also spent time at Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville.

It is an easy place to swim and hang out by the river, and since it is close to downtown Guerneville, it works perfectly for rentals and dinner or ice cream afterward.

Stop at Worker Bee Farm

Worker Bee Farm in Freestone was one of the unexpected highlights of the whole weekend.

It is an honor-system farm stand with fresh produce, flowers, and whatever happens to be in season.

These are exactly the kinds of stops we love finding when we travel. It was simple, unexpected, and ended up being one of the places we talked about afterward.

Where to Eat

Howard Station Cafe

We liked Howard Station Cafe enough that we went twice.

It is a relaxed breakfast spot in Occidental with good coffee and exactly the kind of small-town feel you want before heading out for the day.

Fishetarian Fish Market

We stopped at Fishetarian Fish Market for lunch while exploring the coast.

It was casual, easy, and a perfect seafood stop before continuing along the Sonoma Coast.

Occidental Union Hotel

For dinner one night, we went to the Occidental Union Hotel.

We ordered pizza, breadsticks, bruschetta, and a few things for the table.

The bruschetta was honestly one of the best things we ate all weekend.

Stumptown Brewery

After our river day, we went to Stumptown Brewery for dinner.

Casual food, beer, and a laid-back atmosphere after spending the day on the water. Exactly what we wanted.

Nimble & Finn’s

We finished the night with ice cream at Nimble & Finn’s in Guerneville.

The ice cream is great, but the coolest part for the kids was the building. It is inside an old bank, and you can actually sit inside the old vault while you eat your ice cream.

Definitely worth a stop.

Our 3-Day Russian River Itinerary

Day 1

Start with coffee at The Trees and breakfast in Occidental.

Drive the Bohemian Highway through Camp Meeker and Monte Rio.

Walk through Armstrong Redwoods.

Head toward the Sonoma Coast and stop at Goat Rock Beach.

Grab lunch at Fishetarian Fish Market.

Head back to Occidental for dinner at the Union Hotel.

Day 2

Start with breakfast at Howard Station Cafe.

Pack a picnic and spend the day on the Russian River.

Rent stand-up paddleboards, swim, and find a rope swing.

Spend some time at Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville.

Have dinner at Stumptown Brewery.

Finish with ice cream at Nimble & Finn’s and sit inside the old bank vault.

Day 3

Take the scenic route south.

Stop at Worker Bee Farm in Freestone.

Continue through Bodega Bay and Tomales Bay.

Stop for oysters if you have time.

Head to Muir Woods.

Cross the Golden Gate Bridge.

Pick up Burma Superstar to go.

Have a picnic in Golden Gate Park near the roller-skating area.

Then head south toward Los Angeles.

Coming Back 15 Years Later

The thing I will probably remember most about this trip is simply getting to come back.

Almost 15 years ago, Taryn and I were here at the very beginning of our relationship.

This time, we were watching our kids run through the redwoods, swim in the river, and explore some of the same places that were part of our story before they were even imaginable.

The area still felt familiar.

Our lives looked completely different.

That was pretty special.

And I have a feeling we will not wait another 15 years to come back.