As visitors make their way around the curvy corners of a narrow two-lane road, crawling grapevines graduate into massive green ferns, and eventually they grow into towering redwood trees. As the road continues, visitors encounter a wide river. The redwoods soon become sparse, as cars and passengers become engulfed by tall grassy hills for miles. Eventually, visitors reach the rocky coast, and the river they followed empties into the ocean, leaving the redwoods and the wineries behind.
These sights lie on a 30-mile stretch of road between Santa Rosa, Calif., and the Pacific Ocean in the Russian River area.
Sonoma County is in the North Bay area and is well-known for its wineries and picturesque landscape. For the people who live in Sonoma cities and for those who travel from afar, the Russian River area offers the perfect escape from city life. Nestled in the semi-tropical rainforest of old growth redwood sequoias, it is the heart of the Sonoma County outdoors and the main attraction for locals.
“It’s so great because you can just go to tan; you can go out on rafts, or you can swim in the swimming holes; there are rope swings for that,” said Santa Rosa native Kate Cox.
The river attracts a large number of teenagers and 20-somethings because of its relaxed atmosphere and close proximity to the city. It also draws a lot of families because the river is relatively calm during the warm months.
“It’s pretty gentle,” said Cox. “There aren’t really any rapids.”
The lack of rapids makes it an excellent location for beginners to kayak or canoe. They can bring their own equipment or rent from one of the river towns.
Guerneville is the central river town, with a population of about 15,000. Students who appreciate the atmosphere of Eugene should easily relate to Guerneville. Junior Allison Thomas, who is from Santa Rosa, said it’s a renowned hippie town in the middle of a region known for its money.
The main street is lined with small boutiques and diners making it a perfect stop for a meal or an ice cream cone after a long day at the river.
Outdoor-oriented individuals can spend their time exploring the many groves and hiking trails among the historic redwoods. The Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve is an 805-acre park that is home to trees as old as 1,400 years, according to the Russian River Chamber of Commerce
These massive trees create an incredible canopy of green, and only occasionally is sunlight able to break through the barrier. When it does, it creates a brilliant ray of breathtaking light.
The redwoods are the cause of diverse temperatures in the area. In the late spring months the average daytime temperature is in the mid 70s, but below the towering sequoias, the temperature drops drastically.
There are countless activities to participate in on either end of the region. Whether they choose to tour the wineries to the East or visit the coast to the West, tourists have plenty of options.
“The drive alone is something to do,” Thomas said. “Even if you don’t have time to do a five-mile hike, you can take the drive.”
The 30-mile drive is amazing, but also equates to a 545-mile trip for Eugene students. Whether students chose to make it a weekend excursion or a weeklong trip, the area is highly recommended by people of all ages.
“In my opinion, it is probably one of the most beautiful places to visit,” Thomas said. “It is definitely someplace everyone should see!”
For more information on the Russian River area, visit www.russianriver.com.