Guerneville's summer season doesn't end on a single day. It shuts down in stages across October. The river structures come out first, then the pool season ends, then the arcade and canoe operators taper off. As those visitor attractions close, the events that replace them are aimed at people who live on the river. This year that runs from Locals Days at River Electric to the first Russian River Pee Wee Golf Invitational to a December 5 that has more going on than any other day of the year.
The summer was a busy one. One river-tubing operator told the Press Democrat its June and July sales were 42% higher than the same months in 2025. That's one company's count, not a measure for the whole valley, but it gives a sense of the crowds that are now leaving.
The river shuts down first
The Russian River Recreation & Park District scheduled the Johnson's Beach seasonal dam to come out September 28 through 30. The district said the fish ladder would stay until crews and equipment were available, with removal no later than October 15. So the river by Johnson's Beach looks different by mid-month, and some sections of the structure may still be standing during the first two weeks of October. The district's standing request is that people stay off the dam and fish ladder at all times.
Fishing access at Johnson's Beach doesn't close with the summer season. The district says winter fishing access is available with a key from King's Sport & Tackle. Johnson's Beach's own pages give two different end dates. Its area page lists a seasonal service period from Memorial Day through October 1, and its FAQ says the beach ran daily from June 1 through September 7. Both dates have passed, so beach rentals and the snack shack are done for 2026.
Paddling still has a little time left, but call ahead. Burke's Canoe Trips says it runs daily through October, but its site says "early October" in one place and "mid October" in another. Check by phone before you load the car.
The Guerneville Thursday farmers market ran 3 to 7 p.m. from June through August. There is no fall market on its calendar.
October's calendar turns to locals
The best example of this shift is at 16101 Neeley Road. River Electric's 2026 season runs through October 26. Until then, the pool, restaurant and meadow are open to the public daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and day passes start at $35.
The Press Democrat reported in August that River Electric was offering $5 Tuesday pool days for people living in the immediate Russian River area, plus weekly trivia, locals days and chef pop-ups. Its current calendar lists these dates for the rest of the season:
- Tuesday, October 6. Locals Day.
- October 9 through 19. Sundrop Sauna pop-up at River Electric.
- Tuesday, October 13. Locals Day.
- October 16 and 17. Adults-only weekend hosted by Boss Idea House.
- Monday, October 26. Last day of the 2026 season.
That gives you two Locals Days left. Eligibility details are on the River Electric locals-day page, so check there before you go.
The Russian River Chamber of Commerce has added a new event in the same week. The first-ever Russian River Pee Wee Golf Invitational, "A Night on the Green Carpet," is Saturday, October 10, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Pee Wee Golf. The Chamber bills it as a celebration of the close of summer. This year's theme is "Your Favorite Film," and costumes are encouraged. Teams of four pay $25 per person, or $100 per team. If you sign up on your own, the Chamber will put you on a team. Prizes go to the best-dressed team and the best team, among others. The Chamber's event detail page currently says the event is "no longer active," while the homepage still promotes it. Confirm with the Chamber at 707-869-9000 before you put a costume together.
Outside of events, Pee Wee Golf's own site lists weekend hours of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekday visits by appointment. It hasn't posted any winter schedule change.
At the end of the month, the Halloween Booo Bash comes to 6990 Front St. in Forestville on Saturday, October 31, at noon. Patch lists The Funky Forest as the organizer. The Guerneville Library's Halloween Open House listing found online is for October 31, 2025, so check the Sonoma County Library calendar for a 2026 date.
The newest restaurants face their first winter
Two of the newest food spots on the lower river have only been through a summer. This fall is their first off-season.
Wonderland Pizzeria opened May 22 at 20391 Highway 116 in Monte Rio. Owners Kellee Kessler and Brian Perloff took over a former roadhouse and turned it into a large, casual spot for pizza and beer, with a patio. Sonoma Magazine wrote about it in June. It opened at the start of the visitor season, so its fall and winter hours are still unknown. Check before you drive out on a weeknight.
In Guerneville, Nightwave Bar and Kitchen has been announced for 17071 Highway 116, the former Baked on the River space. Founders Gal and Ori Ginzburg plan Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food with an evening bar. An August report mentioned possible dishes like a sabich-inspired pita and shakshuka, along with specialty coffee. That report said no opening date or hours had been announced. No later confirmation of an opening has been found. Watch the storefront for news.
Downtown has also been dealing with construction. The Press Democrat reported in August that Caltrans sidewalk work on Guerneville's main corridor cut into foot traffic through 2025 and early 2026. The work widened and lowered the sidewalks for ADA compliance. The quieter months are when downtown businesses depend most on local customers.
Armstrong Redwoods in the quieter months
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve is open for day use from 8 a.m. until one hour after sunset. That means shorter visits as the days get shorter. A November visit after work won't last much past 5 p.m.
State Parks' page disagrees with itself on trail status. The top of the page says every Armstrong and Austin Creek trail is open except the East Ridge Connector Trail. Further down, a park-restrictions section says the other trails remain closed. Call the park before a long hike. The same page says Austin Creek camping is closed until further notice because of the Walbridge Fire.
December 5 is the day to plan around
After Halloween, the next big date is the first weekend of December, and most of it lands on one Saturday.
The Russian River Chamber of Commerce is bringing back the Guerneville Holiday Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 5, at 7 p.m. This year's theme is "A Holly Dolly Parade of Lights." The Chamber says last year's parade had 50 floats, from a hot air balloon's engine and basket to floats built by downtown businesses. Float sign-ups and participant guidelines are on the Chamber's site. The Chamber's homepage says the weekend starts with the tree lighting the night before, on Friday, December 4.
In the Chamber's words, "Winter on the River is a time of cooler weather and misty, magical days." Its parade announcement describes the event as a celebration for the community.
Two other events overlap with that weekend. The Forestville Holiday Faire runs 1 to 7 p.m. on December 5 on Front Street, hosted by The Funky Forest. The listing promises vendors, open local shops and restaurants, holiday music and Santa. Christmas in the Redwoods at Alliance Redwoods, on the Bohemian Corridor, opens the same weekend. It runs December 5 and 6, 11 through 13, and 18 through 21, and the drive-through lights are open 5:30 to 8 p.m. The event also includes Santa and Bigfoot activities in downtown Occidental.
The Forestville Faire ends at 7 p.m., the same time the Guerneville parade starts. If you want to do both on December 5, plan it like this:
- Go to Forestville in the early afternoon, since the Faire runs from 1 p.m.
- Head back to Guerneville by late afternoon, leaving time to park before the 7 p.m. parade.
- Go to Christmas in the Redwoods on a different night. It has nine dates through December 21.
Earlier in the fall, Monte Rio held its own downtown event. Monte Rio Revival was scheduled for October 2 at the historic Park & Ride on Moscow Road, with live music, food, art vendors and historic projections. Follow the Russian River Historical Society for future dates.
If you're also thinking ahead about your own place on the river, such as what it's worth, what it needs before winter, or what a sale timeline would look like, Michael Pellegrini can help with a calm, step-by-step plan for your property. Get a free home valuation or schedule a no-pressure consultation before the December 5 parade.
