The Russian River Valley appellation begins about 20 minutes northwest of Santa Rosa and produces some of California's best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The fog that rolls in from the Pacific through the river gap keeps temperatures cool, extending the growing season and producing wines with more finesse and acidity than the warmer Napa Valley. The town of Guerneville is the valley's main hub, with several tasting rooms, restaurants, and the river itself for canoeing and swimming in summer.
Westside Road between Healdsburg and Guerneville passes through the heart of the appellation and has a concentration of high-quality small producers. For visitors who want to skip the large commercial wineries, this road has operations where the owners are often pouring their own wine. Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve near Guerneville adds old-growth redwoods to the itinerary — a 45-minute loop trail through trees that were old when California became a state.