Overview
Monte Rio is in small town in the Russian River region of Sonoma County in California. This page includes listings for two nearby communities, Duncan Mills and Cazadero.
3 things to do
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Monte Rio
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
A nine-hole course through the redwoods. A full-service restaurant is next to the golf course
Rio Theater
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 cou…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–Nov. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 38°F. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Sonoma)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- STS Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport, Santa Rosa — 11 mi away. Directions
- CCR Buchanan Field, Concord — 62 mi away. Directions
- OAK Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, Oakland — 67 mi away (major hub). Directions
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.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning 4th of July Boat Parade,, Northwood Golf Club
- Afternoon Rio Theater
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Understand
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, 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.
Get in
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.
Get around
Monte Rio is small and flat - so eminently walkable, not that there is that much to see (or do).
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.
Do 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.
Do Rio Theater
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.
Buy
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.
At Duncan Mills, a collection of shops offers a variety of goods for sale.
Nearby
Guerneville
City / town · 23 listings · 2 mi away
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve
Park · 5 mi away
Occidental
City / town · 20 listings · 6 mi away
Jenner
City / town · 7 listings · 6 mi away
Forestville
City / town · 10 listings · 7 mi away
Bodega Bay
City / town · 24 listings · 10 mi away
Sebastopol
City / town · 26 listings · 11 mi away
Windsor
City / town · 34 listings · 12 mi away
My experience
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