02
Classic river hangout
Johnson’s Beach
Downtown Guerneville On The Russian River • Classic Summer River Beach • Great For First-Time Visitors
Iconic Russian River hangout with a lively social scene and everything you need for a full day in the sun.
Johnson’s Beach has been the introduction to the Russian River for generations, with a long pebbly shoreline, inner-tube rentals, and plenty of room to spread out. This is where you go when you want that classic summer scene: kids splashing in the shallows, groups floating downstream, and easy access to food, drink, and shops just off the sand.
03
Most relaxed river setting
Steelhead Beach Regional Park
Near Forestville On The Lower Russian River • Calmer, More Natural River Stretch • Best For Relaxed Picnics And Paddling
Quieter regional park beach where the focus is on paddling, picnicking, and watching the river slide by.
Steelhead feels more like a riverside park than a bustling beach, with shaded picnic tables, launch spots for kayaks and paddleboards, and plenty of space between groups. Choose it when Monte Rio and Guerneville feel busy and you’d rather float a mellow stretch, skim stones from the shoreline, or linger over lunch in the trees above the water.
04
Most dramatic coastal stop
Goat Rock Beach
Sonoma Coast Near Jenner • Dramatic Oceanfront Beach • Best For Views And Wildlife
Wild-feeling Sonoma Coast beach with huge views, powerful surf, and frequent harbor seal sightings.
Goat Rock’s broad sand, rugged cliffs, and views of the Russian River meeting the Pacific make it the most dramatic outing on this list. It’s better for walking, photography, and watching harbor seals than for swimming, and you’ll want to follow posted warnings, staying well back from the surf and giving wildlife plenty of space.
05
Best full-day ocean beach
Doran Regional Park (Doran Beach)
Bodega Bay On The Sonoma Coast • Wide Sandy Ocean Beach • Best For Long Walks And Playtime
Wide, gently curving ocean beach that’s made for walking, playing in the sand, and breathing in the salt air.
Protected by a jetty, Doran’s long, horseshoe-shaped strand usually has gentler waves than more exposed coastal spots. It’s ideal for long walks, sandcastle marathons, tide watching, and kite flying, and a day here pairs easily with a seafood stop in Bodega Bay or a slow, scenic drive up the coast before heading back to the redwoods around Cazadero.