Monte Rio

Ultimate northern California forest town: it feels like many unconventional people built houses deep in the forest to get away from it all. Monte Rio is located 4 miles west of Guerneville on Hwy 116. It has a sandy river beach, the area's only movie theater with great popcorn and hot dogs, plus live theater, bike rentals, and some good restaurants.
Until the 60s Monte Rio featured numerous hotels and resorts; the railroad brought thousands of tourists into town. The big hotels and trains are long gone, but Monte Rio is still a vacation destination, albeit quieter. With a population of around 1200, in three distinct areas spread out along the river, this village is the cultural heart of the river communities.