{"id":40702,"date":"2021-07-30T10:48:44","date_gmt":"2021-07-30T15:48:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/perfectpaddles.com\/?p=40702"},"modified":"2021-09-29T12:06:09","modified_gmt":"2021-09-29T17:06:09","slug":"stand-up-board-paddle-destination-forestville-california-the-wild-russian-river","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/perfectpaddles.com\/stand-up-board-paddle-destination-forestville-california-the-wild-russian-river\/","title":{"rendered":"Paddle Destination: The Wild Russian River"},"content":{"rendered":"
Forestville, California lies in the heart of Sonoma County and is nestled along the famous Russian River in Northern California.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n What put Sonoma County on the map was its vast array of vineyards. With over 425 in the area, this famous county has a variety of wines to suit any taste. Each year thousands of tourists make their way to this part of the north to take in the views and pick out their favorite tastes, but <\/span>we\u2019re not here just solely for the wine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you take your gaze beyond the rolling hills of grapevines and tasting rooms you will see a part of California that is rich in mountainous ridges, abundant in natural wildlife, and sprawling views of enormous pine trees.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n And nestled in this stretch of breathtaking country is the famous Russian River.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The river received its name from the Russians of the Russian American Company who settled in Fort Ross. At the time there were heavy Russian settlements in the Alaska area. With a shortage of food during most of the year, many of the early settlers made their way south in search of long-term crop growing areas where they could establish year-round farming. These early trappers followed the path of the Native Americans from the Pacific Ocean and came inland far enough to settle Sebastopol, just outside Santa Rosa. In addition to the names of famous landmarks such as the Russian River in this area, wine growing was also brought here by the Russian colonists.<\/span><\/p>\n Today the wine-growing industry is flourishing. And the Russian River is a stand up paddle boarder's dream.<\/span><\/p>\n Come with us on this virtual tour of the area, the Russian River, and the outfitter that will take you to exciting new heights in your journey with stand up paddle boarding - <\/span>Rubicon Adventures<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The best time to visit Sonoma is between June and October when the weather is at its finest, with high temps hovering in the mid-80s in June and the upper 70s in October, unfortunately, this time of year is also when the crowds are the thickest and hotel rates are at their highest. (travel.usnews.com)<\/span><\/p>\n Visa:<\/b> \u201c<\/b>All travelers entering the United States from all other countries need a passport upon arrival (regardless of their country of citizenship). Permanent residents and foreign nationals may also need a U.S. visa., therefore, you must apply for a visa before you start your trip.\u201d (www.usa.gov)<\/span> Sonoma Coast State Park<\/span><\/a>:<\/span> Sonoma Coast State Park is a State of California property in Sonoma County consisting of public access use on lands adjoining the Pacific Ocean. This extent of beach runs from a coastal point about 4 miles north of Jenner and continues for approximately 17 miles to the south to terminate at Bodega Head.<\/span><\/p>\n Charles M. Schulz Museum<\/span><\/a>: The Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center is dedicated to the creator of the Peanuts comic strip. The museum opened on August 17, 2002, two years after Schulz died, and is in Santa Rosa, California.<\/span><\/p>\n Safari West<\/span><\/a>: Safari West is a 400-acre private wildlife preserve located 12 miles north of the city of Santa Rosa in Sonoma County, California, United States<\/span><\/p>\n Armstrong Redwoods State National Reserve<\/span><\/a>: Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve is a state park of California in the United States established to preserve 805 acres of coast redwoods. The reserve is located in Sonoma County, just north of Guerneville. The reserve is in a temperate rainforest. The climate is mild and wet.<\/span><\/p>\n Buena Vista Winery<\/span><\/a>: Landmark circa-1857 winery with historic buildings, formal gardens, tastings & picnic spots.<\/span> Member Deals Reminder: <\/b> Wohler Bridge Tour Entry<\/span><\/p>\n This 1\/2 day entry-level course covers land and water training skills and a 2-hour tour of one of the most remote scenic sections of The Russian River.<\/span><\/p>\n SUP 101 Down River, Level I<\/span><\/p>\n Covers all paddle skills, as in the Wohler Bridge tour but in addition: we cover currents, eddies, riffles, and rapids, how to catch and play in eddies, S turns, river hazards, basics of reading currents, and a six-mile down river tour of the Russian River. This clinic is an introduction to paddling in currents and is a prerequisite for whitewater stand up paddle boarding.<\/span><\/p>\n Pinnipeds and Sea Birds, Russian River Estuary Tour<\/span><\/p>\n After a short land training on the Boating ramp at Jenner, we will tour the lower Russian river estuary, from the river mouth, stop at Goat rock beach for a short layover, and paddle around Penny Island.<\/span><\/p>\n The Russian River Estuary is home to one of the largest concentrations of marine mammals and sea birds. There are over 50 migrating species of sea birds, rocky shore birds, otters and the estuary is a major pinniped rookery.<\/span><\/p>\n Whitewater SUP Clinics on the South Fork American River<\/span><\/p>\n If you have taken stand up paddle boarding 101 Downriver, have decent balance skills and want more action, this is the clinic to take. Classes take place on the American River. These one day clinics are fun and exciting. We book these clinics through our partner outfitter, Davide Sartoni, The River SUP Guy.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Every journey needs a guide. Someone to show you the way. To keep you safe. And to make sure you are having a great time along the way. Naturally then, our journey begins at Rubicon Adventures.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When it comes to stand up paddle board, the guides at Rubicon are spearheaded by three experts. <\/span><\/p>\n Bill Mashek is the owner of Rubicon Adventures.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBill started running rivers commercially as a teenager. His rafting experience is international and has run rivers all over the world, including several first descents.\u00a0 Bill Mashek started Rubicon Adventures in 1972 in the beginning of the Golden Years of Rafting.\u00a0 In 2010 he introduced stand up paddle boarding to Sonoma County making Rubicon a leader in the paddle sport industry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n-Perfect Paddles Travel Brief-
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\n<\/span>Best Time of Year to Visit:<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
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\n<\/span>Flight distances from major cities to San Francisco Bay Area (estimates):<\/b>
\n<\/span><\/i>New York City: 6 hrs<\/span>
\n<\/span>Los Angeles: 1.5 hr<\/span>
\n<\/span>London: 14 hrs<\/span>
\n<\/span>Paris: 12 - 14 hrs<\/span>
\n<\/span>Dubai: 21 hrs<\/span>
\n<\/span>Istanbul: 14 hrs
\n<\/span>Sydney: 14 - 36 hrs depending on layovers<\/span>
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\n<\/b>Featured SUP Shop Along the Route: <\/b>
\n<\/span>Rubicon Adventures<\/span><\/a>, Forestville, California<\/span><\/p>\nTop Additional Attractions:<\/b><\/h4>\n
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\n<\/span>As a member of Perfect Paddles, you will receive a discount at participating shops on our list. Because you know how to paddle, have skills, and want to spread the stoke of stand up paddleboarding, you deserve a break! Our Featured Buddy Deal Location on this journey is <\/span>Rubicon Adventures<\/span><\/a> in Forestville! To receive your discount, be sure to sign up at <\/span>Perfect Paddles<\/span><\/a>. And if you are a member, take advantage of this excellent opportunity to paddle with some of the best people in the SUP community!<\/span><\/p>\nExciting Offers from Rubicon Adventures<\/b>:<\/b><\/h4>\n
The Guides at Rubicon Adventures<\/b><\/h4>\n