Quick weekend trip recap: Guerneville with kids

Question

Camping at Johnson’s Beach ⛺️

River beach day 🛟

Armstrong Redwoods 🌲

Johnson’s Beach Cabins and Campgrounds

- basically like camping in someone’s backyard

- most sites with parking right there but a few you have to park at lot and walk your stuff in a few yards

- electric panel so small RVs friendly I think- we charged our devices 😅

- clean bathrooms and shower house with passcode

- if you don’t want to camp, they have glamping tents, small wooden cabins, and other cabins with full baths and electricity

- main reason to stay here is to be at the beach

- don’t even need to bring food as town is literally up the street with Safeway and other restaurants walking distance

- we did cook but also went out for ice cream and coffee and snacks

- if you had money to burn you can glamp at Autocamp in an Airstream near by. My group was too cheap and already complained about $90 a night to tent camp

Johnson’s Beach

- lovely spot on Russian River

- $20 to rent an umbrella as you are not supposed to bring your own shade for liability but we saw people with tents 🤷🏻‍♀️

- bring your own chairs, food, floaties , just can’t bring alcohol

- small food truck with burgers and beer and soft serve

- we rented inner tubes for $10 each

- they put a dam up so water relatively safer

Armstrong Redwoods

- 10 mins from town

- parking at entrance or end of road at picnic area

- $10 entrance

- 1.0 mile round trip from picnic area to see Armstrong Tree - little kids with little feet made it without much whining so win win!

I was sick as a dog the weekend before and almost didn’t go. Glad I rallied and the kids had fun with their cousins. We are camping again later this summer with preschool friends. 12 families at Joseph D Grant. It will either be a rocking good time or a diaster. Wish me luck. 🍀 😃

Answer

This quick weekend trip to Guerneville in Sonoma County with kids provides a great example of a low-stress, family-friendly outdoor getaway. The focus was on camping, river activities, and exploring the local redwoods, making it ideal for families with children of various ages.

Camping at Johnson’s Beach offered a convenient and versatile experience. The campground has options ranging from standard tent sites to small cabins and glamping tents. Most sites have parking right at the spot, though a few require a short walk from the main lot. There is electricity available, which is helpful for charging devices or accommodating small RVs.

Clean bathrooms and shower facilities with passcode access make camping comfortable for families.
Cabins with full bathrooms and electricity are available if you prefer not to camp in tents.
Town amenities like Safeway and local restaurants are within walking distance, making it easy to grab food or snacks.
Nearby Autocamp offers Airstream glamping for those wanting a more upscale experience.

Johnson’s Beach itself is a highlight on the Russian River:

Umbrella rentals are available for $20; private tents are technically not allowed for liability reasons, but some people brought their own.
Bring your own chairs, food, and floaties; alcohol is prohibited.
There is a small food truck offering burgers, beer, and soft serve ice cream.
Inner tube rentals are affordable ($10 each) and the river has a dam in place, creating safer conditions for kids.

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve is just 10 minutes from town and provides a quick nature outing that’s easy for young children:

Parking is available at the entrance or at the picnic area at the end of the road.
Entrance fee is $10 per vehicle.
A short, 1.0-mile round trip from the picnic area to the Armstrong Tree is manageable for kids and provides a memorable redwood experience without tiring them out.

Overall, the trip was enjoyable despite minor setbacks like illness before departure. The combination of camping at Johnson’s Beach, spending time on the river, and visiting Armstrong Redwoods made it a fun and low-stress weekend for both adults and children. It demonstrates that Guerneville is family-friendly and offers a mix of outdoor adventure, nature, and convenience.

Key takeaways for families planning a similar trip:

Johnson’s Beach is ideal for families with young kids due to its river access, facilities, and proximity to town.
Armstrong Redwoods provides a quick, educational outdoor activity that is accessible for children.
Bring essentials like chairs, floaties, and food for the river day, but enjoy local options for convenience.
Consider cabins or glamping options if camping in a tent isn’t desirable or if comfort is a priority.

This type of itinerary is perfect for families seeking a mix of camping, water activities, and easy nature walks without overextending themselves.