Pets in Our Homes | top

Dogs are welcome at almost all our houses. Any time of year, your canine companions will have a great time at the Russian River. In our experience, if they have a wonderful time, so will you!

If you have photos of your dogs at the river you would like us to post, please e-mail them in high resolution and we'll add them to our doggy photo gallery.

We are very dog-friendly, but we can remain so only if dog owners strictly adhere to our rules. Violation of any of these rules will mean additional charges and in all likelihood your dog will be barred from future bookings; grievous violation, such as a persistently barking dog, will result in termination of the booking without refund. Here are the house rules:

• Absolutely no dogs on furniture, including beds, unless on a blanket you provide. Keep in mind that dog hair left behind is a dead-giveaway.
• Dogs can never be left alone outside or in. Even the best behaved dog will bark or become destructive. The only exception is a crated dog who remains quiet. For a pet sitter, please contact Elizabeth at 707-869-0663 or eichhold@sonic.net. Responsible, loving care, days or evenings. Minimum 3 hrs; four dogs maximum.
• You must clean up after your dog; if you need plastic bags, there is a bin outside Safeway in Guerneville where you can pick them up at no cost.
• Please keep your dog on leash outside the house grounds except at some beaches where non-aggressive dogs can run leash-free. Many of the yards here are not fenced so you need to make sure your dog stays on the grounds of the house you rented. If you are on the creek, make sure your dog does not cross over the creek into other people's property. Neighbors will call us to complain about roaming dogs.
• Do not allow dogs to bark and annoy neighbors. If a neighbor reports a persistently barking dog, we send a staff person to assess the situation. If the dog has been left alone and is barking, we will leave you a note terminating the booking.
• Please groom your dog if your dog is a shedding type and try to leave as little dog hair behind as possible.
• Do not leave dog food outside. It will attract raccoons who could then pose a threat to the dog.

Now, it's time to have fun with your dog at the river!

Sorry, no cats; too many people are allergic to them; small animals in cages are fine.

Dogs Outdoors | top

There are numerous options for having fun with your dog outdoors. If your rental has its own beach, your dog can run leash-free on that beach, as well as swim. Just be careful to keep your dog within the grounds of the property you rented---there are often no fences.

Ocean Beaches
There are a number of coastal beaches where dogs are permitted. Although they may technically require leashes, you in fact are likely to see dogs leash-free. The one exception is Goat Rock. The harbor seals have their seasonal nursery here and dogs are strictly prohibited within a designated area close to the nursery and must be on leash outside that area to protect the seals. Sonoma County ocean beaches that allow dogs:

• Marshall Gulch*
• Carmet Beach*
• Schoolhouse Beach (part of Sonoma Coast State Beach)*
• Portuguese Beach (part of Sonoma Coast State Beach)*
• Duncan's Cove (part of Sonoma Coast State Beach)*
• Wright's Beach (part of Sonoma Coast State Beach)*
• Furlong Gulch*
• Shell Beach (part of Sonoma Coast State Beach)*
• Blind Beach*
• Russian Gulch*
• Doran Beach

*These beaches are all located between Jenner and Bodega on Highway 1. There are maps that show the locations in this pdf brochure - scroll to pages 5-8. We also have these brochures at our office; ask when you check in.

Dogs are not allowed at Salmon Creek North, Salmon Creek South, Miwok Beach, Coleman Beach

Armstrong Redwoods SR
The reserve is not to be missed and your dogs are welcome on leash on the roads, in the picnic areas, and in the campgrounds, but not on the trails. The reserve is in Guerneville, north on Armstrong Woods Road. After a few miles, the road will end in the park. Parking and admission are free; nominal charge, plus dog fee, to drive into the park. The serene, majestic beauty of this Grove is a living reminder of the magnificent primeval redwood forest that covered much of this area before logging operations began during the 19th century. Armstrong Redwoods preserves stately and magnificent Sequoia sempervirens, commonly known as the coast redwood. These trees are a testament to the wonders of the natural world. The Grove offers solace from the hustle and bustle of daily life, offering the onlooker great inspiration and a place for quiet reflection.

The ancient coast redwood is the tallest living thing on our planet! These remarkable trees live to be 500-1,000 years old, grow to a diameter of 12-16 feet, and stand from 200-250 feet tall. Some trees survive over 2000 years and tower above 350 feet. Coast redwoods are classified as temperate rainforests and they need wet and mild climates to survive. The rainfall in Armstrong Redwoods averages 55 inches per year and the trees are often shrouded in a mystical fog that helps to maintain the moist conditions needed for the redwoods to survive.

Off-Leash Dog Parks
There is a huge river-front dog park in Monte Rio. Turn right into the driveway to the Monte Rio Beach parking area just before crossing the Monte Rio Bridge heading south. At the bottom of the drive, turn right. The beach area downstream of the bridge is doggy heaven. There are also several in Santa Rosa, 15 - 20 miles away:

• Elizabeth Anne Perrone Dog Park -13630 Sonoma Highway Glen Ellen
• Dog Park-Deturk Park -819 Donahue Street Santa Rosa
• Dolye Community Park Dog Park -700 Doyle Park Drive Santa Rosa
• Galvin Community Park Dog Park -3330 Yulupa Avenue Santa Rosa
• Northwest Community Dog Park -2620 W. Steele Lane Santa Rosa
• Ragle Park -500 Ragle Road Sebastopol
• Rincon Valley Community Park Dog Park -5108 Badger Road Santa Rosa

Boating
One of the best adventure trips you can take with your dog is canoeing from Healdsburg to Wohler Bridge with Russian River Adventures. Dogs are welcome on this ride as you travel down the most secluded section of the river; there are no clanking metal canoes, just silent inflatable canoes that are extremely comfortable and safe. There are numerous spots to stop along the way to swim, hang out, or eat lunch. This is a terrific experience for both you and Fido!

Russian River Outfitters, located in Duncans Mills, provides very stable sit-on-top kayaks for rental. Your dog is welcome to sit on top with you. Just 4.5 miles from the coast, this part of the river is wide with little development. You may well see harbor seals and ocean birds as well as a great variety of birds that regularly inhabit this area. You can kayak to Jenner-by-The-Sea where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean and the Outfitters will shuttle you back to Duncans Mills.

For more dog fun information for our guests, click here. This page is password-protected so please contact us for the username and password after your booking is confirmed.

Dog Friendly Dining | top

Restaurants with outside dining; call ahead to make sure dogs are okay, as owners and policies change from time to time:

Bob N' Boy
16248 Main Street, Guerneville; T: 707-869-0780
Freshly broiled Black Angus burgers and chicken breast sandwiches, steak, shrimp, fish, sausage and hot dogs too.

Cape Fear Café
25191 Main Street, Duncans Mills; T: 707-865-9246
Fine dining with a Cajun flair featuring memorable breakfasts, brunch (weekends only), lunch and dinners (closed daily 2:30-5:00PM).

Charizma Wine Lounge & Deli
16337 Main Street, Guerneville; T: 707-869-0909
Truly wonderful California cuisine with a Swedish touch. Breakfast, lunch & dinner with a deli. Dine in or take out or how about a picnic?

Coffee Bazaar at Cinnabar
14045 Armstrong Woods Road just north of Hwy 116, Guerneville; 707-869-9706
Spacious, casual place for coffee, a light meal, and ice cream. Light fare includes sandwiches, calzones, pastries & cakes, coffee & tea, Italian sodas, ice cream, sundaes & shakes. Their sidewalk seating enjoys an overhead mister on the hottest days.

Flavors Unlimited
16450 Hwy 116, across from Safeway, Guerneville; 707-869-0425
Made to order soft serve sundae extravaganzas, fried food sensations, and candy galore.

Garden Grill
17132 Highway 116, Guerneville; T: 707-869-3922; gardengrill@ap.net
Natural freshly ground Angus beef burgers, hand-cut meats, fresh-baked rolls, soups and salads. Tuesday - Sunday 6am - 3pm, closed Mondays. They will bring your dog a water bowl.

Koala's Fine Food
16380 Mill Street, Guerneville; T: 707-869-3300
Authentic Sushi, delicious burgers.

Korbel Delicatessen & Market
13250 River Road, Guerneville; T: 707-824-7313; info@korbel.com
Award winning delicatessen featuring gourmet sandwiches and wine country cuisine.

Main Street Station
16280 Main Street, Guerneville; T: 707-869-0501; pizza@mainststation.com
Award winning premier acoustic Jazz and Blues venue. Great pizza and house specialties..

Northwood Restaurant
19400 Highway 116, Monte Rio; T: 707-865-2454; info@northwoodrestaurant.com
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch overlooking the historic Northwood Golf Course.

Roadhouse Restaurant at Dawn Ranch Lodge
16467 River Road, Guerneville. T: 707-869-0656; http://www.dawnranch.com
Dinner. Outdoor deck overlooking swimming pool.

Russian River Pub
11829 River Road, Forestville; T: 707-887-7932; http://www.russianriverpub.com
Fun place, good food. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Russian River Resort
16390 4th Street, Guerneville; T: 707-869-0691; Toll free: 800-417-3767; info@russianriverresort.com
Restaurant, Bar & Game Room. Primarily gay, but always a good mix. Very dog-friendly; say hello to Patches, the owner's bearded collie

Sizzling Tandoor
9960 Hwy 1, Jenner; T: 707-865-0625
Simply wonderful Indian and Tandoori food near the junction of River Road (Hwy 116) and Scenic Hwy 1. Turn left when you get to Hwy 1 and it's just over the bridge, with a great view of the mouth of the river. Tends to be windy on the patio.

Village Inn Restaurant
20822 River Boulevard, Monte Rio; T: 707-865-2304; Toll free: 800-303-2303
Superb classic American cuisine casually served indoors and outdoors overlooking the Russian River. Award winning wine list and full bar. Reservations recommended.

Wine & Cheese Tasting of Sonoma County
25179 Main Street, Duncans Mills; T: 707-865-0565; wtosl@sonic.net
Sonoma County's finest wines and cheeses. Taste wines from all over Sonoma County in one location.

Dog-Friendly Sonoma County Wineries | top

• Joseph Swan Vineyards
• Belvedere
• Taft Street
• Wilson
• Russian Hill Estate
• Seghesio
• Iron Horse
• Hop Kiln
• Gary Farrell
• Mazzocco

Grooming & Health | top

If you just want to wash the sand or mud off your pet, Stone's River Feed & Pet Supply has do-it-yourself dog bathing facilities. They are located at 14016 Armstrong Woods Road in Guerneville, just off Main Street. It is best to call for an appointment: 707-869-3449.

Guerneville Veterinary Clinic, at 16338 1st Street in Guerneville, provides general veterinary assistance during regular business hours. Call 707-869-0688. For 24-hour emergency services, Pet Care in Santa Rosa provides absolutely excellent care. They are a 20 minute drive from downtown Guerneville, at 1370 Fulton Road, just a few yards south of Guerneville Road. Call first: 707-579-5900.

At the river, there are lots of fleas and ticks; some of the ticks are deer ticks which carry Lyme's Disease. It is extremely important that your dog come with a preventative such as Frontline. It takes a few days for these products to take effect. Seasonally, we also have nasty burrs in the brush on some of the beaches. If your dog has long hair, you might end up having to brush out and cut out these burrs, so it's a good idea to bring appropriate tools. Try to spot the areas where there are burrs and keep your dog away from them.