Monte Rio

Monte Rio is a small, unincorporated community just to the west of Guerneville, along California Highway 116. Duncan Mills is west of the community, on Route 116; Cazadero is north; and Occidental is to the south. Monte Rio is probably best known (at least outside of Sonoma County) as the location of the Bohemian_Grove|Bohemian Grove, the 2700-acre private campground owned by the Bohemian Club, where each July there is a two-week or so encampment of some of the most prominent men in the world.

Other than by car (or bike), the only way to Monte Rio is by bus - Sonoma County Transit route 28 from either Guerneville or Occidental.

Monte Rio is small and flat - so eminently walkable, not that there is that much to see (or do).

Monte Rio hosts the best Fourth of July celebration in the region. With BBQ's, live music, water parade, and fabulous fireworks display it is a must see experience. The town also hosts an antique auto show, easter egg hunt and numerous seasonal activities. Monte Rio is also home to the only movie theatre in the Lower Russian River Region.

• 4th of July Boat Parade,Fireworks, and water-spray-theater spectacular, on Monte Rio beach. Local stores and families decorate canoes and boats as floats and drift pass the crowd to patriotic music from a boombox. True Americana.

• Northwood Golf Club

  phone: +1 707 243-8088
  address: 19400 CA Route 116
  A nine-hole course through the redwoods. A full-service restaurant is next to the golf course

• Rio Theater

  phone: +1 707 865-4190
  address: 20396 Bohemian Highway
  World War II-era quonset hut that has been converted into an independent movie theater. Local legend has it that the fabric adorning the ceiling is from Christo's "Running Fence" exhibit that crossed Marin and Sonoma counties in the 1970s. When the river floods, this theater does, too.

Monte Rio has minimal shopping, though there are shops with works from local artists around The Rio Theatre and a wine and cheese boutique with an extensive collection of limited production local Sonoma Wines. You can also buy groceries, get a haircut, and some minor hardware items along Highway 116 and at the Bohemian Highway.