FORESTVILLE VISITOR’S GUIDE

Forestville, California a charming town located in the heart of Sonoma County wine country. Situated just a short drive from Napa and San Francisco, and north-east of Occidental, Forestville is  home to some of the region's best wineries and vineyards. Whether you're a wine enthusiast looking to explore the local wineries or a foodie in search of new culinary adventures, you'll find plenty to enjoy in Forestville. Halleck Vineyard is 15 minutes from downtown Forestville. Sample some of the area's world-renowned Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, relax in the beautiful gardens and cellars of local wineries, or book a tasting room to experience the best of Sonoma's wine tastings. With a rich history dating back to the 1800s, Forestville boasts a unique architecture, with many historic adobe buildings and estates to explore. Visitors can also enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking in the nearby Russian River Valley or taking a scenic drive along the Sonoma Coast. Whatever your interests, Forestville is the perfect destination for those looking to relax, explore, and celebrate the culture and beauty of California wine country.

Forestville Point of Interest

If you're planning a visit to Forestville, California, there are plenty of things to see and do in this charming town and its surrounding areas. Here are some points of interest to add to your itinerary:

Wineries and Vineyards

Forestville is home to some of the best wineries and vineyards in Sonoma County, including the famous Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley, and Sonoma Valley. Don't miss the opportunity to explore the tasting rooms, gardens, and cellars of local wineries and sample some of the region's world-renowned Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and other wines.

Forestville Restaurants

From upscale dining to casual bistros and cafes, Forestville offers a wide range of dining options to suit every taste and budget. Many restaurants feature locally sourced, sustainable ingredients and offer farm-to-table menus.

Outdoor Activities in Forestville

Whether you enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, or simply soaking up the beauty of nature, there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy in Forestville and its surrounding areas. Take a scenic drive along the Sonoma Coast, explore the redwood forests of Armstrong State Park, or enjoy a leisurely stroll through the historic town of Sebastopol.

Forestville Historic Landmarks

Forestville and its neighboring towns are filled with historic landmarks and adobe buildings dating back to the 1800s. Don't miss the chance to explore the Sonoma Plaza, a National Historic Landmark, or visit the Chateau Felice Winery, which features a historic cave system.

Forestville Hotels and Accommodations

Whether you're looking for a luxury hotel or a small boutique inn, Forestville offers a variety of accommodations to suit your needs. Many hotels and inns feature Jacuzzi tubs, reserved grounds, and other amenities to help you relax and unwind.

Forestville Events and Festivals

Throughout the year, Forestville and its surrounding areas host a variety of events and festivals, including wine tastings, food and wine pairings, concerts, and more. Don't miss the opportunity to celebrate the local culture and enjoy the best of California wine country.

Forestville Shopping

Whether you're looking for artisanal cheeses, gourmet chocolates, or handcrafted jewelry, Forestville offers a variety of shopping options to suit every taste. Visit the local farmers' markets or explore the many boutique shops and galleries in the area.
No matter what your interests are, Forestville and its surrounding areas offer a wide range of activities and experiences to make your visit unforgettable.

FORESTVILLE WEATHER

Forestville Hotels

While there are no hotels in Forestville proper, the closest nearby accommodations are:

  1. Radford Inn: Historic Victorian B&B with vineyard views in the Russian River Valley, of Sonoma County, just a half mile from the Russian River and a 15-minute drive along gorgeous vineyard country roads to the Healdsburg Square.
  2. Mine + Farm Inn at Guerneville: Just 9 minutes from downtown Forestville is the Mine + Farm | The Inn at Guerneville, California.  is only 90 minutes north of San Francisco, centrally located in the heart of wine country, and 12 miles to the Sonoma Coast. We're just a few miles outside the town of Guerneville and next door to Korbel Vineyards.
  3. Rocktop Lodge: This charming hotel in Occidental is housed in a historic Victorian building and offers individually decorated rooms with private bathrooms, fireplaces, and balconies. Established in 1930 on the Russian River and along the original train route, Rocktop Lodge has a long history of hosting visitors coming to explore the redwood forests and swim and boat along the Russian River, and, in more recent years, visit the numerous world-class wineries just down the road.
  4. River Bend Resort: Located in the heart of the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County. We offer RV sites, cabins, and tent camping. Located right on the Russian River, we are the perfect location to explore all that Sonoma County has to offer.
  5. Valley Ford Hotel: Located in Valley Ford, this boutique hotel is situated one hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge, the inn is a convenient hub for coastal exploration.  Surrounded by Tomales Bay, Sonoma Coast Wine Country, Bodega Bay, Point Reyes, Dillon Beach, the Russian River, and Redwood Forests, a variety of day trips lie before you.

Forestville American Viticultural Areas (AVAs)

Occidental, California is located in the heart of Sonoma County's wine country and is home to several American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) that produce world-class wines. 

An American Viticultural Area (AVA) is a designated wine grape-growing region in the United States that has been recognized by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) for having unique geographic, climatic, and soil conditions that distinguish it from surrounding regions. 

AVAs are used to identify and promote wine growing regions and to help consumers understand the unique characteristics of the wines produced in these areas. Wineries that use grapes grown within an AVA are allowed to list that AVA on their wine labels, provided that at least 85% of the grapes used were grown within the AVA.

Here is a list of the AVAs that overlap with Occidental:

Russian River Valley AVA

This AVA is known for producing high-quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. Affectionately named after their three sons Connor, Adam, and Quinn, Halleck Vineyard Three Sons Pinot Noir is a classic Russian River Pinot Noir with a hat-tip to Burgundy. Beautifully balanced, it leads with dark cherry, delivering a mid-palate of clove, cinnamon, and forest floor, and a lingering finish of black pepper, and is part of the wine tasting experience at Halleck Vineyard.

Sonoma Coast AVA

This AVA is known for its cool-climate wines, particularly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Sourced from vineyards of similar elevation and character nearby their Sebastopol estate, the Sonoma Coast Halleck Vineyard Hillside Cuvee Pinot Noir is a frequent winner of gold and double gold awards, and the Halleck Vineyard 2019 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast Clone 828 was awarded Double Gold at the 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Awards, the largest wine competition in the world.

Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA

The Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA is a sub-appellation of the Russian River Valley AVA, located in western Sonoma County, California. This AVA is characterized by its cool climate, with a unique combination of coastal fog and wind that creates ideal growing conditions for grapes. The area is also known for its well-drained soils, which are made up of a mix of sandstone, shale, and alluvial deposits.

Fort Ross-Seaview AVA

The Fort Ross-Seaview AVA is a wine appellation located along the Sonoma Coast in western Sonoma County, California. This small AVA covers just 27,500 acres, but it is renowned for producing some of the finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines in the region.

Sonoma Mountain AVA

This AVA is located on the western slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains and is known for producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir wines. Haas Vineyard in Glen Ellen grows the grapes used in the Halleck Vineyard Haas Vineyard Pinot Noir, which scored 93 pts at the North Coast Wine Competition.

Chalk Hill AVA

The Chalk Hill AVA is a wine appellation located in Sonoma County, California. The region is known for its unique soils, which are rich in volcanic ash and chalky white rock. These soils, combined with the area's warm climate and long growing season, produce exceptional grapes that result in high-quality wines. Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape variety in the Chalk Hill AVA, with many wineries also producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc. The area is home to several notable wineries, and visitors can enjoy tastings, tours, and beautiful views of the surrounding vineyards.