Russian River Paddle Boarding: Everything to Know About Routes, Rentals, and More

Russian River paddle boarding is, in our opinion, one of Sonoma County’s most idyllic things to do. During the summer months, the river is placid and cool waters making a refreshing float on a hot summer day.

The span from Healdsburg to Jenner, where the river empties into the Pacific, is the most popular stretch. This guide explores everything to know about Russian River paddle boarding along this route, including entry and exit points, rentals, sample itineraries, and more.

Note: if kayaking is more your style, everything included here works for kayaks as well!

Overview, Safety, and Things to Know

A bird glides across the glassy waters of Riverfront Regional Park in Sonoma County, California.

Russian River paddle boarding is best during the summer and early fall months (June – early October), when the days are warm and the water is calm.

The river flows placidly with few ripples, making it well-suited to even amateur paddlers.

Parking

Most of the designated entry and exit points along the Russian River are Sonoma County Park land, and charge a day rate of $15 to park (assuming you don’t have the annual parking pass).

Water Levels

As with any river, you always want to check water levels before beginning your trip. The USGS website is a great resource – you can explore the Healdsburg location, or scroll down to the interactive map and select a different location based on your itinerary.

Portaging

Water levels typically dip to their lowest point between late July – September. During this time, you should expect to hit a few spots shallow enough to require portaging your board.

Portaging is always brief – usually no longer than 50 feet increments, or so.

The Russian River winds placidly past riverbanks lined with redwood trees near Duncan Mills in Sonoma County, California. — Duncans Mills, between Monte Rio and Jenner. Credit: Ingrid Taylar, Flickr Creative Commons

Onshore Winds

The Pacific Ocean frequently generates powerful on-shore winds that funnel up the valleys from Jenner (along the coast) to Monte Rio. These winds usually develop around midday into the afternoon, and can make paddling downstream towards the ocean extremely challenging.

Counterintuitively, between Monte Rio and Jenner it’s often easier to paddle upstream, especially in the afternoon.

Regardless of what time you launch, always stay vigilant and notice any change in winds – you may need to cut your trip short.

Plan for a Long Day

While the river’s slow pace makes for a wonderfully leisurely outing, it can also extend your trip time much longer than intended.

We recommend always over-planning, and bringing more food, water, sunscreen, and other essentials than you think you’ll need.

Rentals

Small buildings line the shoreline of the Russian River in Jenner, California. — Jenner

If you don’t have your own paddle boards, you can rent them at Russian River Paddle Boards. You must reserve boards in advance, but the company will bring them to meet you at your launch point.

Sample Itineraries

Families lounge on the sandy banks of Veterans Memorial Beach, along the Russian River in Healdsburg, California. — Veterans Memorial Beach, credit: Frank Schulenburg, Wikimedia Commons

The most enjoyable Russian River paddle boarding trips involve staging two cars.

First, drop off one car at your exit point, then shuttle the second car back up to your starting point. From here, you’ll be able to enjoy a languid downstream paddle, without needing to backtrack up against the current.

With that in mind, each of the following sample itineraries assume that you’ve staged two cars, with different entry and exit points.

However, if you don’t have that luxury, you can always put in and take out at the same location, and still have a perfectly lovely day.

Itinerary #1: Del Rio Woods to Veterans Memorial Beach (Healdsburg)

Fitch Mountain rises above the Russian River outside of Healdsburg, California — Fitch Mountain, credit: Steve Shupe, Flickr Creative Commons

Entry: Del Rio Woods (directions)
Exit: Veterans Memorial Beach (directions)
Paddle Time: 1.5 – 2 hours

This stretch of the Russian River is a bit sunnier and more exposed. You’ll still wind along lush river banks, but the foliage is more reminiscent of California grasslands, than the redwoods closer to the Pacific Ocean.

This route begins along the backside of Fitch Mountain, before drifting downstream towards Healdsburg proper. Along the way, it provides an enjoyable glimpse into the backyards of homes lining the riverbank.

Itinerary #2: Veterans Memorial Beach to Wohler Bridge (Healdsburg)

A kayaker's view paddling the Russian River to Wohler Bridge in Sonoma County, California.

Entry: Veterans Memorial Beach (directions)
Exit: Wohler Bridge (directions)
Paddle Time: 4 hours

Past Veterans Beach, the topography begins to get slightly more forested, with verdant banks lined with pines, oaks, maples, and more.

This route will drift you out of Healdsburg and past Riverfront Regional Park. It’s not a far paddle – rather, the 4-hour time is mostly due to how placid the water flow is down this stretch.

While you technically can exit at Riverfront Park, the steep scramble up the hill and walk to the car, all while carrying heavy boards, is honestly not worth it.

Wohler Bridge is the first primary take-out point beyond Riverfront Park, and also the easiest.

Note: a large dam borders the south side of Veterans Memorial Beach. It should go without saying, but you’ll obviously want to launch downstream of the dam.

Itinerary #3: Steelhead Beach to Sunset Beach (Forestville)

The tip of a kayak is seen against the waters of the Russian River in Sonoma County, California.

Entry: Steelhead Beach (directions)
Exit: Sunset Beach (directions)
Paddle Time: 2 hours

This stretch of Russian River paddle boarding is one of our personal favorites.

Here, the riverbanks really start to fill in, with coastal redwoods beginning to mix in with dense deciduous trees. It’s a sublimely beautiful span, and makes for a bucolic day.

Just before Sunset Beach, you’ll also pass under the Forest Hills – Hacienda Bridge that spans River Road. The bridge’s hanging rope swing is an added bonus for the more thrill-seeking members of your paddle party – you can easily catch 15-20 feet of air, before splashing down into the cool river below.

Note: Both Steelhead and Sunset Beaches require about a 0.25-mile scramble to get your boards from the parking lot to the water and back. It’s nothing major, but just something to be aware of.

Itinerary #4: Guerneville River Park to Monte Rio (Guerneville)

The Russian River, just outside of Guerneville, California, with tall redwoods and mixed conifers lining the banks.

Entry: Guerneville River Park (directions)
Exit: Monte Rio (directions)
Paddle Time: 1.5 hours

As you get closer to the coast, riverfront redwoods become the norm, rather than the exception.

Near Guerneville, the landscape is true Northern California at its best, with staggeringly-tall redwoods stretching up to the sky along both sides of the river.

The Guerneville public boat launch makes this entry point a breeze, while the towns of both Guerneville and Monte Rio provide quirky, retro Americana-summer camp vibes.

You’re sure to find a satisfying burger and soft serve cone at one of the many cafes along this stretch, for a post-paddle bite.

Itinerary #5: Jenner to Monte Rio

A man paddle boards down the Russian River near Monte Rio in Sonoma County, California.

Entry: Jenner (directions)
Exit: Monte Rio (directions)
Paddle Time: 3 – 4 hours

As mentioned above, the on-shore breezes rolling off the Pacific can often make this stretch a veritable wind tunnel, especially in the afternoon.

As a result, it’s strongly advised to launch in Jenner and paddle upstream to Monte Rio, going with the wind.

If you’re planning to do this route, you should be in decent shape and have some prior paddling experience – it’s not for first timers.

Itinerary #6: Jenner

Wooden picnic benches line the Russian River in Jenner, California. — Picnic benches line the shore between the boat launch and Cafe Aquatica in Jenner.

Entry and Exit: Jenner (directions)
Paddle Time: self-guided

Unlike the rest of the Russian River paddle boarding itineraries above, there is enough to explore in Jenner to be its own trip.

You can both put in and take out at the public boat launch, and either paddle upstream to the estuary surrounding Penny Island (perhaps even catching a glimpse of one of the resident bald eagles) or downstream to the river mouth.

There is also a large resident seal colony just inland from where the river meets the ocean. You’ll inevitably catch dozens of these locals, lounging lazily along the sandy banks (just be respectful, and keep your distance!).

After you’re done paddling, grab some grub at Café Aquatica. This charming café right on the shoreline serves up quality espresso, snacks, and full meals (the Dungeness crab roll is our personal favorite). They often have live music on the weekends, and enjoying a warming coffee while listening to a local folk artist is cozy end to your paddle.