Guerneville, CA Road Trips
Drivers starting from Guerneville, CA have 5 mapped routes to choose from, making it a small but connected base in the Pacific Coast. Routes from here tend to cover serious ground — the average trip runs 341 miles, so plan for multi-day adventures. Most routes from Guerneville, CA head east, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Efrem Efre
Trip Routes
5
Longest Drive
563 mi
San Diego, CA
Quickest Drive
2h 24m
Sacramento, CA
Plan Around Guerneville, CA
Continue From Guerneville, CA
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Guerneville, CA
Driving from Guerneville, CA
On average, trips departing from Guerneville, CA run 341 miles with a drive time of roughly 6h 37m. There is a healthy spread of short hops, medium drives, and longer road trips to pick from. The longest mapped route runs 563 miles (10h 46m), while the shortest is just 109 miles.
Popular Destinations
Drivers leaving Guerneville, CA most often head toward San Diego, CA (563 mi, 10h 46m), Anaheim, CA (468.1 mi, 8h 54m), Los Angeles, CA (442 mi, 8h 23m), Laguna, CA (120.9 mi, 2h 39m), and Sacramento, CA (109.3 mi, 2h 24m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
For the average 341-mile drive from Guerneville, CA, expect to burn about 13.4 gallons of fuel one way at 25 MPG. Check local pump prices before you go to lock in your budget.
Routes tend to go east, so afternoon departures put the sun at your back on the return leg. These are full-day drives. Start by 7 or 8 AM if you want to arrive at a reasonable hour without rushing.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 5 mapped routes leaving Guerneville, CA and 0 routes heading into Guerneville, CA, covering 5 total connections. Distances range from 109 to 563 miles.
The longest mapped route from Guerneville, CA covers 563 miles and takes approximately 10h 46m. Shorter options start at just 109 miles.
The average route from Guerneville, CA runs about 341 miles with a drive time of roughly 6h 37m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
The most popular road trip destinations from Guerneville, CA include San Diego, CA, Anaheim, CA, Los Angeles, CA and Laguna, CA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Guerneville, CA by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
4,522
Median Income
$84,294
Median Home Value
$589,600
Median Age
52.0
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Guerneville, CA
Guerneville is a town along the Russian River in California. Pronounced "Gurnville", the town is known for environmental and gay activism, and for its beautiful redwood forested riverside site.
1 Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve, 170000 Armstrong Woods Rd, ☏ +1 707 869-2015, fax: +1 707 869-5629. Visitor center, large outdoor amphitheater, self-guided nature trails from 1 to 9 miles long, and a variety of picnic facilities among towering redwoods. 2 Johnson's Beach. Enjoy the beach on a sunny day. (updated Aug 2019) Russian River Jazz and Blues Festival (Johnson's Beach). An annual festival held at the end of the summer. (updated May 2015) 3 Pee Wee Golf and Arcade, 16155 Drake Rd (Just south of bridge.), ☏ +1 707 869-9321. Daily 11AM-10PM; opens after Easter (call to verify). 36 holes of miniature golf in a somewhat surreal landscape (updated Aug 2019) Rio Nido Pee Wee Golf (between Rio Nido Road and Canyon 7, next to the homeowner’s park). F Sa 6-9PM during the summer. Miniature golf in the redwoods; popcorn, candy, ice cream, and sodas at the snack bar; a clubhouse with pin ball machines, a foosball table, and other games for kids. (updated Sep 2019) 4 Sunset Beach. (updated Aug 2019)
Applewood Inn, 13555 Highway 116, toll-free: +1-800-555-8509. Upscale, à la carte, entrees $22-32. Baked on the River, 16390 4th St. F-M 8AM-3PM. Reopened in May 2025 at the r3 Hotel, this popular Guerneville café began in 2018 as a bakery, and then expanded to offer breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Try the salmon chowder, if it's on the menu. (updated May 2025) Main Street Bistro, 16280 Main St, ☏ +1 707 869-0501. M-F 3-11PM, Sa Su noon-midnight (check the website for specific hours for the pizza bar, entertainment, and happy hours. Self-described as a "piano bar" and "cabaret" featuring "northern California Italian-inspired" fare. Nimble & Finn's, 16290 Main Street, ☏ +1 707 666-9411, [email protected]. Su-Th noon-9PM; F Sa noon-10PM. Artisan ice cream; lots of unusual flavor combinations. (updated Aug 2025) Piknik Town Market, 16228 Main St, ☏ +1 707-604-7295. M Tu 8AM-3PM; F-Su 8AM-5PM. Replacing Big Bottom Market, as of July 2023, open for breakfast and lunch, with gourmet groceries and picnic provisions, including beer and wine. (updated Jul 2023) River Inn Grill, 16141 Main St, ☏ +1 707 869-0481. The Swedish pancakes are prepared in a traditional manner. Good food.
1 Korbel Winery, 13250 River Rd, ☏ +1 707 824-7000. Offers an entertaining and educational tour of its champagne cellars. Champagne tasting is free after the tour, and a gourmet deli offers good choices for a lunch under the redwoods. 2 Stumptown Brewery, 15045 River Rd, ☏ +1 707 869-0705. Daily 11AM-2PM (grill is open 11AM-9PM). Around a dozen local beers on tap, most of them from this brewery. of their own, plus some other local brews. The Stumptown Grill is cash only; there is an ATM inside. (updated Aug 2019) 3 Rainbow Cattle Company, 16220 Main St (River Road becomes Main Street within downtown Guerneville), ☏ +1 707 869-0206. Daily noon-2AM. Famous gay bar. (updated Aug 2019)
1 The Stavrand Russian River Valley, 13555 Highway 116, ☏ +1 707-869-9093, [email protected]. This luxury 21-room property, formerly the Applewood Inn, is set on six acres just south of downtown Guerneville. In addition to its pool and hot tub area, the property has a guests-only restaurant. Bikes, kayaks, and inner tubes are complimentary for guests. $385-725. (updated Mar 2022) AutoCamp Russian River, 14120 Old Cazadero Rd, toll-free: +1-888-405-7553. Airstream glamping on the Russian River, in a grove of redwoods. (updated Oct 2020) 2 Cottages On River Road, 14880 River Road, ☏ +1 707 869-3848, [email protected]. (updated Aug 2019) 3 Creekside Inn & Resort, 16180 Neeley Rd, ☏ +1 707 869-3623, toll-free: +1-800-776-6586. $90-210. The Grove at Dawn Ranch, 16650 Highway 116, ☏ +1 707-869-0656. A variety of nice accommodations. $89-300. Highlands Resort, 14000 Woodland Dr, ☏ +1 707 869-0333, fax: +1 707 869-0370. Individual cabins with fireplaces - some with kitchens or oversized soaking tubs, and all with private porches. Peaceful gay and lesbian (straight-friendly) retreat. Most cabins have been remodeled. Clothing optional sunbathing at pool. Seasonal camping. Massage Therapist available for outdoor massage in a grove of redwood trees (weather permitting) or indoors. Three pet-friendly cabins. 2 blocks to town. Day Use ($5-10) includes use of the pool, barbecue, TV lounge & grounds (only clothing optional at the pool). No restaurant or bar. $95-200. The River Electric, 16101 Neeley Road, ☏ +1 707 937 8915.
The nearest large airport is San Francisco International Airport. The closest small airport is Charles M. Schultz Sonoma County with nonstop service to/from Seattle, Los Angeles, and Portland. By car from San Francisco, follow Highway 101 North to the "River Road" exit just past Santa Rosa. Turn left at the traffic signal. Guerneville is 16 miles west.
Having a car is important. You can get to Guerneville using public transportation, however is not easy or convenient. Once you are at 'the River' (as it is also known) having a car will help you explore the stunningly beautiful countryside. There are bicycle rentals available in town (seasonally), but much of the terrain is very hilly and the roads are narrow without much of a shoulder for getting well out of traffic.
Travel tips adapted from Guerneville on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
How Much Time Do You Have?
Pick your one-way drive time and see where you can go from Guerneville, CA.
No routes in this time range.
destinations from Guerneville, CA.
Nearby Hubs
Other cities within driving distance of Guerneville, CA that also have route pages.
Escape Planner
Where to go from Guerneville, CA?
Curated day trips, weekend getaways, and overnight routes — grouped by how much time you have and the kind of trip you want.
Drives from Guerneville, CA in your inbox
Monthly note with new routes, weekend drive ideas, and seasonal picks for CA. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Browse more CA road trips or choose a route from Guerneville, CA above.