1. The Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant
City: Forestville, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (707) 887-3300, (800) 464-6642
Address: 7871 River Road
Description: It’s one of those places that’s difficult to categorize because it does it all: an inn with breakfast included in the tariff, an award-winning restaurant, and a full-service spa with a Pilates and yoga studio. In 1878 it really was a working farm, with a row of cottages off to the side for the workers. Those cottages are now charming private guest rooms with luxurious amenities such as jetted spa or soaking tubs, CD players, flat-panel TVs, DVD players, refrigerators, feather beds, rich linens, and European-style rain showerheads. Many of the rooms also have fireplaces and personal saunas. Full concierge services are offered, too. What really put this inn on the map is its restaurant, which has been collecting major accolades over the past few years (see the Restaurants chapter).
2. River Bend Campground
City: Forestville, CA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (707) 887-7662, (800) 877-0816
Address: 11820 River Road
Description: Eleven miles from US 101, off the River Road exit, this campground has 65 sites, 35 with full hookups. Canoe rentals, volleyball, barbecue pits, and basketball courts are among the amenities. Other features include flush restrooms, hot showers, groceries, tepees for rent, and a huge Paul Bunyan statue. It’s open all year.
3. Burke’S Russian River Canoe Trips
City: Forestville, CA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (707) 887-1222
Address: 8600 River Road
Description: Burke’s provides the canoe, paddles, and life jackets starting at just $58 per canoe. Your trip begins at the Burke’s base near Forestville and ends 10 miles downstream at Guerneville. Burke’s then shuttles you back to your car at Forestville. It’s a leisurely four- to five-hour downstream paddle, with the opportunity for many stops on warm, sunny beaches. Bring your own sunscreen, water, hats, towels, cooler, and food. But don’t bring your dog—please.
4. Corks At Russian River Vineyards
City: Forestville, CA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (707) 887-3344
Address: 5700 Gravenstein Highway N.
Description: Corks is where locals go to enjoy a revolving menu of creative delicacies, whipped up by chef-owner Greg Hallihan. Items such as the steamed half artichoke stuffed with a scoop of purple-black niçoise olive tapenade, the hearty lentil-carrot soup, the lamb kabob, or the pan-roasted chicken with truffled mashed potatoes—not to mention the mocha crème brûlée and other luscious desserts—keep this place packed on most nights. Open Wednesday through Monday for dinner, and lunch every day except Sunday. The restaurant is closed on Tuesday.
5. The Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant
City: Forestville, CA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (707) 887-3300
Address: 7871 River Road
Description: Though part of a bed-and-breakfast inn, the Farmhouse restaurant is open to the public as well as the inn’s guests, which is a good thing because a riot would ensue otherwise. The restaurant has received accolades from high places, and a Michelin star, too. Gourmet magazine named it one of the “World’s 36 Best Food Destinations.” The menu changes frequently, but one dish that appears regularly is rabbit, prepared three ways. Count on braised pork shank, braised veal osso bucco, Merlot-and-mint-braised lamb shank, and petrale sole fillet crisped with couscous. For dessert you can choose baked Alaska or chocolate soufflé. The romantic dining room seats no more than two dozen, with views through French doors onto the magnificent gardens. Open for dinner Thursday through Sunday (see the Bed-and-Breakfast Inns chapter).