Wondering what it’s like living in Guerneville, CA? Guerneville, CA, is part of Sonoma County, CA, and has many wonderful attributes that make moving to Guerneville the right choice. Besides being known for starting as a logging community in the 1800s, Guerneville is known for its proximity to wine-tasting facilities, redwood forest, and liberal ambiance. It was founded in the 1850s.
Before Guerneville was developed, the local Pomo Indians used the abundant resources of the Russian River and the dense forest of Redwood trees as a gathering area that they called “Ceola”, meaning “shady place”. Eventually, loggers found the Ceola area and began harvesting the trees; the new nickname for Guerneville was “Stumptown.” The Redwood forest is over 200 years old, and the damage from the booming log harvest of the 19th century has since been replenished.
Guerneville has a rich history, and beautiful scenery, making Guerneville a good place to live. Before moving to this unincorporated CDP of Russian River Valley, here is everything you need to know.
Where is Guerneville?
Guerneville, California, is located in the Russian River Valley and Sonoma County, CA. It’s an unincorporated CDP located 20.3 miles from Santa Rosa, CA; it’s also a part of the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA Metro Area.
The Russian Rivers run through the center of Guerneville, and in addition to beautiful views of the waterway, Guerneville is surrounded by a 200-year-old forest of Redwood trees. Forest Hills, Cazadero, and Monte Rio boarder Guerneville.
While Guerneville is 12.2 miles from the ocean, the Russian River has beaches like Sunset Beach River Park near Guerneville, where you can soak in the sunshine and enjoy the river’s crisp, cool water at one of the Russian Rivers beaches.
The Sonoma County Transportation bus serves the Guerneville, California area. Browse the routes and schedules for Guerneville.
Guerneville Population & Demographics
The population of Guerneville, CA, is 4,879, with a population density of 502.5 people per square mile.
Guerville Demographics
Median Age: 52.1 years
Median Household Income: $76,484
Gender: 56% male and 44% female
Race and Ethnicity: 77% White, 17% Hispanic, 4% Two or more, 1% Asian, 1% Black
Educational Attainment: 94.7% have high school diplomas or higher, and 32.2% have bachelor’s degrees or higher
Foreign-Born Population: 6.5%
The crime rate in Guerneville, CA, is 5,082 per 100k people, which is slightly above the state’s average. The violent crime rate is 533.5 per 100k people, and the property crime rate is 1,793 per 100k people. Guerneville has a lower property crime rate than California and the US. While crime is present in Guerneville, there are still plenty of safe areas to raise a family or start a career.
- State average crime rate: 2,581 per 100k people
- US average crime rate: 2,346 per 100k people
- State average violent crime rate: 226 per 100k people
- US average violent crime rate: 258 per 100k people
- State average property crime rate: 2,139 per 100k people
- US average property crime rate: 1,958 per 100k people
Guerneville is served by the 550 dedicated officers of the Sonoma County Police Department.
Cost of Living in Guerneville
The COLI (Cost Of Living Index) in Guerneville, California is 134.1; while more expensive than the average US city, Guerneville is cheaper than the State average of 149.9 and its metro area’s average of 141.9%.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four would have to make $115,137 a year to live in the Santa Rosa Metro area comfortably; since Guerneville has a lower COLI, the amount to live in Guerneville is less.
Typical Guerneville living expesnes:
- Restaurant meal: $24
- A gallon of milk: $5.90
- A loaf of bread: $5.41
- A pound of bananas: $0.98
- Average Guerneville utilities per month: $370
Source: Numbeo (While these figures are for Santa Rosa, CA, expect similar numbers in Guerneville.)
The Guerneville average home price is $540,000, equivalent to $353 per square foot, the median home price in Guerneville is $653,000, which is 13.5% more than in 2021. The Guerneville real estate isn’t too competitive, and you can browse available Guerneville homes for sale to get an idea of what’s on the market.
The average rent in Guerneville, CA, is $1,700, which is much more affordable when compared to Santa Rosa’s $2,269 average monthly rent.
Guerneville Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Guerneville
Not sure where to live in Guerneville? We’ve included two neighborhood suggestions to start your search.
Guernewood Park | Great Location
Located one mile west of Guerneville sits the quinte neighborhood of Guerne Park, California. This is one of the best Guerneville neighborhoods thanks to its proximity to Santa Rosa and nearby shopping centers.
Pool Ridge | Affluent Guerneville Neighborhood
Pool Ridge is a neighborhood in Guerneville that stretches a few miles long and is full of beautifully-built, unique homes.
Guerneville Weather & Climate
The average temperature in Guerneville varies from 37 degrees to 79 degrees Fahrenheit. The average high during the hottest month is 78 degrees Fahrenheit, while the average low is 38 degrees Fahrenheit. The climate in Guerneville is considered typical for northern coastal California; the summers are warm and dry, and the winters are cool and wet. The annual rainfall in Guerneville is 49.15 inches, and the average snowfall in Guerneville in the coldest month is 6.0 inches.
The best time to visit Guerneville, CA, is mid-June to mid-September.
Things to Do in Guerneville
Not sure what to do in Guerneville? Luckily, we’ve formulated a list of Guerneville, California’s top attractions, excursions, and activities. Guerneville is small, so you may have to venture out of the CPD’s limits and find things to do in the Russian River.
When you aren’t enjoying your time in Guerneville partaking in one of the numerous attractions, you can browse some of Guerneville’s top storefronts like Seconds First and Sonoma Nesting Company.
Guerneville Lodge
Guerneville Lodge is a must-visit in Guerneville; enjoy some Russian River Glamping as you float along the river or tan on the resort’s beach.
Guerneville, California, has numerous great campsites where you can get your Russian River Glamping on! Here are a few more:
Guerneville Lodge 15905 River Rd, Guerneville, CA 95446 (707) 869-0102
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve
Considering Guerneville is famous for its beautiful nature, it’s only fitting you take a hike at Armstrong’s State Reserve during your visit. It’s the perfect family-friendly Guerneville, CA activity.
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve 17000 Armstrong Woods Rd, Guerneville, CA 95446, (707) 869-2015
Sunset Beach River Park
One of Guerneville’s biggest attractions is Sunset Beach. It’s the perfect area to have a romantic date or let the kids and pets release some energy.
Sunset Beach River Park 11403 River Rd, Forestville, CA 95436
Downtown Guerneville
Guerneville, CA, has a vibrant and fun downtown area with numerous coffee shops, wineries, and stores for you to browse. In addition to its numerous delicious restaurants, Guerneville has numerous Russian River Wineries located right near its downtown area.
Additional Attractions in Guerneville
Guerneville, CA, has a dedicated Parks and Recreation Department that maintains parks in the area. Keep an eye on fun things to do with their Guerneville special events calendar.
Guerneville Restaurants
Looking for the top eateries in Guerneville, California? Browse our list of the top three tastiest restaurants in Guerneville.
Timberline
Timberline is located on the Russian River and is one of Guerneville’s best restaurants. It’s best known for its cold beers and delicious menu items, like the Garlic Roasted Shrimp Cocktail or Salmon Chardonnay.
Timberline 16440 4th St, Guerneville, CA 95446, (707) 604-7617
Boon Eat + Drink
Boon Eat + Drink is one of Guerneville’s more popular restaurants, and rightfully so. It offers an urban, hip vibe while providing delectable dishes like its chili braised pork shoulder and the miso black cod. The dishes aren’t traditional, but they’re surely delicious.
Boon Eat + Drink 16248 Main St, Guerneville, CA 95446, (707) 869-0780
Baked on the River
Baked on the River is the spot for you if you’re looking for riverfront dining in Guerneville, CA. Enjoy one of their specialty cocktails while scarfing down a hearty burger.
Baked on the River 17071 CA-116, Guerneville, CA 95446, (707) 865-6060
Jobs In Guerneville
Guerneville, California, has seen a 1.7% increase in the market in the past year and is expected to see a 35.2% increase by 2033, slightly above the US average. According to PayScale, the average hourly rate in Guerneville is $18.82, or $73,000 a year.
The main industries in Guerneville, Russian River, are construction, manufacturing, retail trade, healthcare, and social assistance. The largest employers are A Diaz Construction, Applewood Inn Restaurant and Spa, Adam Beadworks, and Bank of America. Take a look at the city jobs in Guerneville, CA, and other jobs in Guerneville, CA.
Guerneville Schools
Guerneville, Russian River is part of the Guerneville School District. There is only one school in Guerneville, Guerneville School, but there are other schools nearby, such as Monte Rio Elementary School.
For higher education opportunities, the closest colleges to Guerneville are Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State University.
Guerneville Statistics & Information
- County: Sonoma County
- Guerneville Area: 9.879 mi²
- Guerneville Zip Code: 95446, 95471
- Guerneville Elevation: 59′
- Guerneville Time Zone: Pacific Time Zone (PST)
- Closest Airport to Guerneville: Santa Rosa (STS) Airport is the closest airport to Guerneville and is only a 10.4-mile drive
Guerneville, CA Map
Explore more things to do with this map of Guerneville, California. Between its various attractions and wonderful outdoor activities, you’ll surely find something to do!
If moving to Guerneville has sparked your attention, you’ll need reliable Guerneville movers to help get you there. Contact Mentors Moving at 707-504-3885 for you relocation needs. Thanks to its numerous attractions, activities, delicious restaurants, and affordable housing market, Guerneville is a good place to live.
