House in Forestville, California
OVERVIEW
Russian River Forest Retreat with Unique Studio
Wake to redwood light filtering across the deck of this Forestville hideaway across the road from the Russian River, five miles north of town and twelve from downtown Healdsburg. A main-level queen bedroom plus a separate exterior-entry studio with its own queen and full bath sleep 4 between two private spaces — built for two couples who want their own coffee at sunrise.
Spend mornings on the deck breathing in forest air across the road from the Russian River, afternoons rafting or catching sun at Mother's Beach a mile away or tasting along Westside Road, and evenings lingering over dinner with bottles picked up in Healdsburg (12 miles) or Sebastopol (12 miles). Guerneville sits six miles down the road, with the wild Sonoma Coast at Jenner nineteen miles west.
Settle into the vaulted great room under warm tongue-and-groove pine ceilings, where the sofa and a teal velvet wingback gather around a whitewashed brick hearth kept as a decorative focal point. Stream a movie on the Smart TV or pull a book from the shelf as the forest quiets down outside the windows.
Cook in the open kitchen with granite counters, a gas range under the stainless hood, and an L-shape that flows straight to the dining table — the sliding glass door pours morning light across breakfast and opens onto the deck for an easy indoor-outdoor meal.
Retreat to the upstairs queen bedroom with its vaulted wood ceiling and garden-framed windows, then send the second couple downstairs to the studio — entered only from the exterior of the house, with its own queen and full bath for true privacy.
OUTDOOR LIVING
Step through the French doors onto the upper deck, a leafy treetop perch for morning coffee with birdsong or an evening glass as the redwoods settle into dusk. A second deck area extends the forest immersion downstairs.
SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS
Sleeps 4 across two private spaces:
- Bedroom 1 (main level): Queen bed, full bathroom
- Lower-level studio (exterior entry only): Queen bed, full bathroom
- Living room: Queen sofa bed
PROPERTY AMENITIES
- Full kitchen with gas range, oven, and microwave
- Two full bathrooms
- Upper and lower decks with forest views
- Smart TV for streaming
- WiFi (can be spotty in this rural setting)
Things to know: Check-in 4:00 p.m. / check-out 10:00 a.m. There is no washer/dryer on site. Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. under the Good Neighbor Policy, and no smoking is permitted anywhere on the premises.
Curl up under vaulted, beamed ceilings by the whitewashed brick fireplace, then step out to one of multiple deck spaces that open onto the surrounding forest. The whole home is yours, with a balcony off the main level and a unique built-in bedroom upstairs. Punch in the keypad code at the door; two off-street parking spots wait (the driveway is very steep).
Your forest hideaway sits in a wonderfully secluded spot on the north side of the Russian River, where Forestville's wine country meets its river recreation roots. Walk just 0.3 miles to Forestville River Access for morning bird watching or afternoon swims. Wine lovers will appreciate being 1.2 miles from Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery's stunning hilltop tasting room, or 1.3 miles from Moshin Vineyards. Porter Creek Vineyards (1.6 miles) pours exceptional pinot in an intimate setting. For provisions, Sam's Market is just 0.4 miles away, while the beloved Speer's Market and Deli is 2 miles. Dine at the legendary Russian River Pub (1.4 miles) or grab authentic tacos at El Rey Market & Taqueria (2.9 miles). Summer visitors can paddle with Burke's Canoe Trips launching right from Forestville, while Steelhead Beach Regional Park (1.3 miles) offers year-round river access with swimming holes and picnic areas.
Forestville is about 80 minutes from San Francisco via 101 and River Road — a mellow drive through vineyards and rolling hills. You'll have two off-street parking spaces (note the steep driveway typical of hillside properties). A car makes the Russian River Valley easy to explore, from redwood trails to riverside wineries. Cell service gets patchy in the redwoods, so downloading offline maps before you arrive is worth it.
The home stays naturally cool thanks to the shaded forest setting and cross-ventilation through multiple windows — you'll find the tree cover keeps temperatures comfortable even on warm days. Internet is provided but can be spotty given this beautiful rural location, perfect for disconnecting from city life. The unique layout with the separate studio accessed from outside works wonderfully for two couples or those who appreciate privacy. The steep driveway is typical of hillside properties here — take it slow and you'll be fine. No washer/dryer on-site, though Forestville has laundry facilities if needed for longer stays. This is a peaceful neighborhood where quiet hours (10 PM - 8 AM) help preserve the tranquil forest atmosphere. The primary renter must be 21 or older.
You must be 21 years or older to rent this property.