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Monte Rio Recreation & Park District

4.2 (51 reviews)
Closed 11:00 am - 5:30 pm

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Emmalouise B.

Not really much of a beach, when I think beach I think sand and there really isn't much of that here at all just lot's of rocks and mud but very pretty and relaxing nonetheless. While we were staying in the area we came here each day in hopes to hire a Kayak but every time there was no one there to hire from despite it being within their 'opening hours' which was a real shame. It is Dog friendly (on a leash) and they also have a Volleyball net. Water is so clear and safe to swim in. There is also a little hut where you can buy refreshments too but that was also closed while we were there too. A really great place to come and relax, Sunbath, Boat up and down the River but the opening times for Kayak rentals / Food stand need to either be updated or adhered to. Due to everything being closed it's only 3 star worthy unfortunately.

Victoria E.

Dog friendly beach. Completely insanely crowded after 4 but show up between 2 and 4 to claim your prime beach spots. Bring chair, umbrella and plenty of sunscreen. It gets hot. The water flows down stream. Parts of the dog friendly beach has very shallow water, yet the water flows so it attracts lots of little fishes. Glistering lights make your heart skips a beat. You are surrounded by water, pebbles, redwood forest, and a green bridge not far away. It's decidedly very Americana. As of late, I have been looking all over for places that represent the middle of America. Sceneries that you see only in movies. I have been told this is a very working class beach. I think this is exactly what I had in mind. There is something quite idilic about the town this beach is located in, for all intents and purposes, this could be anywhere really, from Idaho to Texas, from Colorado to Wyoming, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Austin, Minnesota. Ah. You are seeing a trend in my journey in discovery the newer things around the greater bay area. I'm fascinated, mainly due to my lack of knowledge or prior interest in the middle of America. Monte Rio Beach felt very real. Like this would be something straight out of the midwest, I'm drawn to it because it's both familiar and foreign. And the view was spectacular no matter how you look at it. If you are lucky and can find a friendly Midwesterner boy among the crowd who was willing to take your dog for a little bit, you may want to walk over to the bridge, there is a nice watering hole, perfect for a nice summer dip in your two-piece bikini.

Rochelle L.

Good spot for kayak/ canoe rentals. They offer rentals for one hour or by the day. Beach has free WiFi. Free parking down by the beach. In terms of kayaking, there are a few shallow spots on the river to watch out for. We had to get out twice and pull the kayak. Overall a great way to spend the day. The beach is nice, not really any shade though. Only complaint is that we came across some dog poop on the beach. We saw several dogs on the beach so they obviously don't enforce the "no dog" rule that much.

Cathy C.

This park along the Russian River is free to use! Johnson Beach in nearby Guernville is a private beach that charges admission. We rented a place nearby so Monte Rio was out local beach and turned out to be quite fun. You can rent an inner tube or canoe, eat at the snack shop or BYOB as the loud group next to us did. Dogs are allowed.

Aj C.

Pretty nice area to go to if you're in Russian River. When you think of a beach, you think of sand... Which can't be found here except rocks. Keep that in mind. You can also get kayaks nearby and go around the river. If you're hungry, there's a shack that serves awesome food! Just look for the awning and tables. There's tons of parking and it's free to enter! What more can you ask for?!

Ess B.

The only way to do the Russian River! The beach is rarely crowded and the scenery is breathtaking. There are relatively clean public restrooms. The concession stand has a variety of foods - coffee, burgers, nachos, fries, hot dogs, even veggie burgers! The people who work the concession stand are always helpful and friendly. You can rent tubes or boats at the beach, cash and credit accepted. Monte Rio beach is my happy place! One word of warning, the beach is rocky so bring flips flops to wear around and chairs to sit on!

We Always love coming here!
Crystal W.

Nice place to bring the family! We always have such a good time, weekdays lots of spots, but weekends get here early to get a good spot.

Rebecca K.

I'm disappointed in the people who come to this park only to deface it. You didn't pay for it. You didn't build it. You don't own it. Keep your disgraceful art work to yourself. If you want people to respect you try earning it. Everyone can use this park, young and old if you use for its intended purpose. It's not a canvas. It's a Park. If you want to display your art somewhere, pay for a wall and do it there. Don't ruin a good thing because your selfish or have a chip on your shoulder.

The view down stream from our kayak
Gregg R.

Great spot to rent canoes/kayaks. We had a lot of fun cooling off on the river and exploring further down stream with our kayak. Ended up finding a nice hidden spot down stream where we could lay down our stuff in privacy. Only down side is the main part of the beach under the bridge was really crowded when we were there (Saturday in July)

Double Bacon Cheeseburger with crispy fries.
Dax P.

Rumor had it that the concession stand at this beach had the best burgers in town. I decided to go over there and see for myself. It was a bit crowded with beach goers. Waited in line for about 5 minutes. I ordered the Bacon Cheeseburger which came with fries and a soda for $9.50. The young lady told me 10 minutes. 20 minutes later, I finally got my order. The boss apologized for my wait and gave me a double patty instead of a single. WOW...that was an awesome burger. Simple with crispy bacon and loaded with cheese. The fries were crispy and the soda refreshing in the afternoon heat. I was impressed. I told the boss lady she cooked up a delicious meal and that my belly was happy! Come give this hole in the wall shack a try.

Jenny I.

Perfect place to kayak. Go upstream first. Lots of little pebble beaches to haul out on when you want a break or just to take in the scenery. Beautiful, forest all around, not too crowded on a Sunday afternoon in August.

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10 months ago

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6 years ago

We stopped by here as a pit stop, walked on a makeshift dock and looked around the water. Seems full of algae.

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9 years ago

Was here for a short while one late afternoon. Easy access and one of the most beautiful beaches on the river.

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9 years ago

Well too bad the beach is closed for another season It Was a Good Year look forward to seeing are you guys next year

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Ask the Community - Monte Rio Recreation & Park District

Public bathrooms available?

Yes. Closes sometime in the evening.

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Review Highlights - Monte Rio Recreation & Park District

We had a lot of fun cooling off on the river and exploring further down stream with our kayak.

Mentioned in 12 reviews

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Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve

4.7
(410 reviews)
4.8 mi

SCW and I visited Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Park one day while staying nearby. I'd use…read morecaution when using a driving app to get here as we were led along a very narrow road through a local residential area with no room and switchbacks galore. Suffice it to say we saw a few locals along the way that seemed perplexed why we were driving very slowly through their neighborhood. I think that had to do with a bridge closure. Anyways... The return was not the same route thankfully. The park has for pay parking areas and what seemed to be free parking along the road to the park at your own risk. We found a spot in the paid lot ($10). Get a receipt, put it on your car's dashboard and off you go. There's a small welcome center and info at the entrance as well. The Redwoods are incredible here, some alive for 1400 plus years. You simply can't see the tops of the Redwoods from the ground. Truly incredible. The trails are well marked and it's highly discouraged to get off the trails as the environment is very ecologically sensitive. Unfortunately we saw some disregard for that. Stay on the trails people! You'll find placards noting interesting names and places along the way in addition to information about the flora and fauna. The history of the park and previous residents from indigenous peoples to the parks name sake are along the trail. It's an incredible park to visit and appreciate nature. The redwoods are incredible and certainly worth a visit.

Wow! What can I say that will convince you to come visit the splendor at Armstrong? We walked…read more Hiked. And drove our vehicle up a tiny one lane hillside road to the top for a spectacular view of the whole area. It was beyond words! The park was immaculately clean. Everyone was kind and polite. The air was so fresh. I hope to return soon.

Photos
Very cool mushroom
Very cool mushroom
Redwood Rooter
Redwood Rooter
Wild turkeys in the park

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Wild turkeys in the park
LandPaths Grove of Old Trees

LandPaths Grove of Old Trees

4.9
(13 reviews)
5.0 mi

I had never heard of this grove of redwoods even when I was growing up in the area. It is located…read morea couple miles west of the town of Occidental. We were afraid we would lose cell service but luckily it worked the entire way so we were guided by Waze. The road is quite narrow and windy so best to take it slow in case you run across other cars or bicyclists. There are residences along this road too so another reason to take a slow pace. The parking lot is small but we fortunately got a spot as we waited for the other members of our party to arrive. It had been raining all weekend so perhaps there were not as many visitors as normal. We noticed several friendly dogs on leash as we walked along the well-kept trails. The redwoods are truly majestic and there are many picture perfect spots along the path. We took some beautiful photos of the redwoods with fern in the foreground. It's a nice and easy trail and a peaceful spot to have a picnic. I think they must have controlled burns here because in certain areas, there were redwoods that had blackened trunks. Some of these trees are over 1,000 years old. Take Coleman Valley Road to Fitzpatrick Lane. There is a small parking lot and I've read not to park on the side of the road if the parking lot is full as they do give out tickets.

We came across this beautiful find through a friend's recommendation. This past weekend we happen…read moreto be staying in Occidental. So we picked up lunch , at Howard's Inn, and took the short 10 minute drive to this lovely Grove. The road to Grove the scenic and beautiful but ...the parking is minimal -- so make sure you get there early and bring a picnic lunch, beautiful views and moments for lovely photos. A perk we always look into are dog friendly adventures ...and the Grove was a welcomed destination for the entire family. ‍‍‍ If you're looking for a dog friendly day, the Grove is definitely a must stop. We will be back.

Photos
The picnic area of the grove consists of a single bench, and a narrow 'prep table'.
The picnic area of the grove consists of a single bench, and a narrow 'prep table'.
There are a few memorial benches throughout with poems or quotes.
There are a few memorial benches throughout with poems or quotes.
Don't forget to look up and feel small. These trees were here before your Momma and Grandmother

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Don't forget to look up and feel small. These trees were here before your Momma and Grandmother
Sonoma Coast State Park

Sonoma Coast State Park

4.7
(58 reviews)
6.3 mi

The Sonoma Coast near Jenner was a nice stop during our trip. We weren't completely blown away, but…read moreit was still a pleasant place to visit and take in the scenery. The coastline is rugged and peaceful, and it was really cool to see the seal nursery - lots of seals lounging and playing, which was definitely the highlight. Jenner has a quiet, calm vibe, making it a good spot to get some fresh air, take photos, and enjoy a low-key coastal view. Overall, a nice experience if you're already in the area.

I solo adventured to Sonoma Coast State Park in approximately 2018. I was looking for a beach a…read morenice drive away from where I was living in the East San Francisco Bay Area and had found this site listed on the California State Parks website. I went exploring around a large rock named Goat Rock. I did not see any of the hoofed ungulates on my visit. To the south of Goat Rock, the beach was a little narrowed with occasional pieces of rounded sea glass and intact mussel shells. I picked one of the shells up and noticed a faint violet color. It was one of those light phenomena where exposure to light drains the color from the shell, meaning the next day the faint violet color was gone. Parking was limited and I was fortunate to arrived before the masses. There were not any trees for shade on the beach, though the cool of the water on my feet did provide reprieve from the warmth for my feet.

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Sonoma Coast State Park
Sonoma Coast State Park
Sonoma Coast State Park

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Sunset Beach River Park

Sunset Beach River Park

3.3
(11 reviews)
4.8 mi

Review is during Winter and I'm not sure if it's greatly improved in Summer. We were looking for a…read morefun body of water for the kids to enjoy, they can spend an hour easily throwing rocks and sticks into water. The parking lot has about 40 spaces and porta potties, the entire round trip is 3.9 miles. We did about half and turned around so not sure if there was an amazing payoff at the end but we checked and it looks like a smal rock beach where you can chill and hang near the river. Most of the trail you are walking pretty far from the water and there isn't much excitement along the way. At some point it got monotonous so we tried getting closer to the water, these smaller trails are overgrown and the water during Winter is still and smells. I don't know if conditions improve in Summer but I definitely wouldn't go swimming in that water, just stick to the river at the end. Would not recommend coming here in Winter, there are other places nearby that are better.

Sunset Beach is a fun place to post up and enjoy the Russian River. You'll be in a prime position…read moreto see (and possibly help) people go by on their tubing adventures. Sunset Beach is unique because it has a shallow area and a lagoon-like area which is fun for families to float around in safely without fear of being caught in the current. However, just across the lagoon you'll find great access to a medium-fast current perfect for older children and adults who want to float in tubes, then walk back to do it all over again! Hot Tip: Expect lots of company throughout the afternoon because Sunset Beach is the ending point for tubers catching the Russian River Shuttle back to their vehicles. Extra Hot Tip: Please avoid the rope swing. It looks so fun, but ends in tragedy for at least a few people each year, including 2025.

Photos
Rio
Rio
An interesting part of the trail is about halfway through
An interesting part of the trail is about halfway through
This is what most of the trail looks like, you are pretty far from water

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This is what most of the trail looks like, you are pretty far from water
Sonoma Coast State Beach

Sonoma Coast State Beach

4.8
(148 reviews)
11.5 mi

Spectacular views! My favorite spot in Bodega Bay is Bodega Head to see majestic ocean views and…read morehike along the bluffs. If you're lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of migrating whales! We enjoy getting chowder and sipping it while watching the waves. It is such a tranquil sight away from the hustle and bustle of life. Today was a beautiful sunny day at Bodega Head but even if it's raining, I love coming here to enjoy the views. Come prepared for some windy conditions just in case. The parking lot will get full on the weekends, especially during spring when you have a better chance of seeing whales. Several picnic tables available with friendly seabirds checking out what you're eating. Restrooms are next to the parking lot.

Incredible views of the coastline that I enjoyed every step of the way. Would be a great place to…read moretake out of town family or friends to show off California's natural beauty and to walk your dog too to the Blind Beach side. Goat Rock side no dogs allowed because the seals always wean their pups on the beach, but the dog friendly side is so spacious and a nice long stretch of beach with iconic rock arches out in the water that you will never forget. In my opinion, one of the most beautiful places in all of California and if it is low tide, there will be many starfish visible on the rock formations on shore lower section which is normally submerged! If you get a good sunset, this place cannot be beat for photos overlooking the water with those rock formations. It could make anyone with a cell phone camera take photos that look like a professional landscape photographer took them.

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8-28-2022 hubby put up with me for over 20 years wow!
8-28-2022 hubby put up with me for over 20 years wow!
Sonoma Coast State Beach
Campsite with fire at night

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Campsite with fire at night

Monte Rio Recreation & Park District - parks - Updated July 2026

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