Johnson's Beach
Johnson's Beach
4
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
For nearly 100 years, Johnson's Beach has been a Guerneville summer tradition whose beauty, amenities, and hospitality make it a favorite destination for locals and visitors alike. With its spacious stretch of pebble beach and jagged blue skyline of majestic redwoods, it is the ideal spot for lounging and playing along the cool current of the Russian River. Johnson's fun, family-friendly beach has something for everyone. The roped-off kiddie pool allows toddlers and beginning swimmers to enjoy the river safely, and the summer dam provides deeper waters for more adventurous swimmers. For the ultimate in kicking back or playing on the water, inner tubes are our biggest crowd-pleasers. They can be rented for a whole day of floating, spinning, and splashing. We also rent boats for extra river fun and exploration, plus umbrellas and beach chairs so you can recline in shaded comfort. Our snack bar serves affordable traditional summer favorites like burgers, hot dogs, and ice cream. And you can top off your lunch with a frosty cold beer from our Boathouse while kicking back in a beach chair and listening to oldies streaming from the speakers.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
37 within 3 miles
Attractions
15 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
97 reviews
Excellent
46
Very good
33
Average
9
Poor
5
Terrible
4
LIBLK5
Paso Robles, CA30 contributions
Aug 2020
Awesome little getaway!! We stayed in one of the little cabins and had a very relaxing time.. FYI there is no TV in the cabins. Was not a problem for me, (the hubbs) well you know how that goes!! The river was awesome. You def need to rent an umbrella and you must wear your mask everywhere in the campground. The little food truck they had was ON POINT! The veggie burger did not disappoint.. We rode our bikes all through town. Not too many options for eating. There is a safeway very close so we were able to pick up some munchies. The pizza place downtown is GREAT! but its takeout only. The cabins are right in the middle of the campground so you def hear everything going on. We will def be back!! Our camp host Chris was awesome.
Written August 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chauntel B
5 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
You are not allowed to have your own umbrella and had to pay $5 to park and buy their refreshments. We really preferred the Monte Rio beach over Johnson's for these reasons and you can bring your own cooler 😎
Written August 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MKjourney
San Francisco, CA41 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
We decided to do a day trip to Johnson's Beach to attend the festival on Sunday (Blues Day). Suggestion: Arrive early if you have General Admissions (GA) tickets and want to sit near the stage and/or get a nearby parking space without paying for parking. When we arrived at 7:45am there were a least 150 people already in the GA line. Our reserved seats were numbered so we arrived early to get a free parking space. There were several free parking spaces available. We parked less than a block away from the venue. If you want to spend the night in the area, make lodging reservations as early as possible. Prices escalate... this appears to be the event of the year for the location.
We liked the venue. However, a couple of suggestions: If you want seats close to the stage reserve seats near the center and at least three rows from the stage. (we were able to move to the third row). Your view will not be blocked by the people dancing near the stage and you will be able to take pictures of the performers. Bring a rug for your feet...your chair will be on top of rocks/dirt/sand. Thankfully, we brought food and drinks in plastic containers....prices were outrageous. Typical outdoor festival vendors.
We enjoyed the blues with the blues lovers around us, it's a pleasant drive from the SF Bay Area early in the morning, nice fruit stands to stop at on the way back....that made it a great outing for us. Yes, we intend to return depending on the line up of performers. Next time, we may try to rent a boat with friends so we can sit on river and listen to the performers. ( negative, the view of performers will not be as good).
We liked the venue. However, a couple of suggestions: If you want seats close to the stage reserve seats near the center and at least three rows from the stage. (we were able to move to the third row). Your view will not be blocked by the people dancing near the stage and you will be able to take pictures of the performers. Bring a rug for your feet...your chair will be on top of rocks/dirt/sand. Thankfully, we brought food and drinks in plastic containers....prices were outrageous. Typical outdoor festival vendors.
We enjoyed the blues with the blues lovers around us, it's a pleasant drive from the SF Bay Area early in the morning, nice fruit stands to stop at on the way back....that made it a great outing for us. Yes, we intend to return depending on the line up of performers. Next time, we may try to rent a boat with friends so we can sit on river and listen to the performers. ( negative, the view of performers will not be as good).
Written September 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy H
Mountain View, CA36 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
This is a big hunk of gravel without any sand. Super dusty from the cars in the parking lot right next to the "beach." I can't understand why people like to hang out here. This seems useful as an access point to the river, but that's it. I would never spread out a towel here.
Written August 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terri P
San Clemente2 contributions
Jun 2016 • Solo
Kinda dirty and not handicap accessible. They even turn away my legal service dog which is against the law. I chose not to fight it and move to somewhere else.
Written June 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cindy R
Los Gatos, CA1 contribution
Sep 2014 • Couples
We have been attending this Festival for many years (back to the 1970's for my husband), and look forward to it every time. This year, we again looked forward to this event. We took care to purchase tickets the day and time they were released in order to obtain coveted front row tickets next to the water. We came in to the festival, renting out umbrella for shade during the hot part of the day, and tubes to float on in the water while enjoying the amazing line up.
In between bands on the main stage, they have local bands that play in the Wine Garden. I was looking forward to enjoying the band, Beso Negro, in the Wine Garden in between the second and third band on the main stage. We walked over to the wine garden, took some seats, grabbed some champagne, and enjoyed the music. Upon returning to our seats at the main stage, we found that a man and woman had moved our two seats back, and taken them as their own. When my husband kindly informed them that they were in our seats, we were met with strong resistance, and insistence that the seats were theirs. The male of the two became loud and righteous, even with the women who sat behind us confirming these were our seats. The male was not only insistent, but asked to see our tickets. At this festival, they collect your tickets when you arrive, but my husband pulled out the handwritten copy we were provided when they put on our wristbands. He stated that he wanted to see our "real" tickets. As this was quickly becoming a futile effort on our parts, my husband went in search of security to assist.
During this time, the male became much more loud and righteous toward me, insisting to see our tickets. When I asked to see theirs, the female began to hand me some stubs, and the male quickly removed them from her hand, again insisting to see mine. He was yelling at me, insisting the seats were theirs, and while poking me in the arm, insisted on seeing our tickets. At this point, I decided to back off until my husband returned. When he did so, it was with a female member of the security team, who remembered us, but also checked the tickets of the others. The tickets were not only altered, but not for our seats at all. They claimed it was all a misunderstanding. My arm certainly did not feel like it was a "misunderstanding". They went along their way. My husband and I reclaimed our seats, and attempted to sit and enjoy the band on stage at the time. Unfortunately, as the security changed, so did the rules. We now had many people up in front of us and were unable to see the band, or truly enjoy the show. More upsetting is that these people had not even paid the substantial price to be in that section, let alone obscuring our view. Security had little success when asking them to move, and basically threw up their hands in defeat. During this time, another group of attendees in our row were also experiencing the same thing, and were getting little support from security. There was only ONE security person that we observed, actually enforcing the rules with consistency. It became so unruly, that we decided to leave, as we were no longer able to enjoy the show. Unfortunately, as we always do, we purchased the two-day passes, so we will attempt again tomorrow. While I hope for a better outcome, I am not foolish enough to believe it will happen. It is unlikely that we will ever return to this venue for the Jazz & Blues Festival again. It saddens me to even say this, as we had looked forward to, and enjoyed it, for many years. We will be looking for a more desirable venue to enjoy music that we love. I would not recommend this to anyone moving forward.
In between bands on the main stage, they have local bands that play in the Wine Garden. I was looking forward to enjoying the band, Beso Negro, in the Wine Garden in between the second and third band on the main stage. We walked over to the wine garden, took some seats, grabbed some champagne, and enjoyed the music. Upon returning to our seats at the main stage, we found that a man and woman had moved our two seats back, and taken them as their own. When my husband kindly informed them that they were in our seats, we were met with strong resistance, and insistence that the seats were theirs. The male of the two became loud and righteous, even with the women who sat behind us confirming these were our seats. The male was not only insistent, but asked to see our tickets. At this festival, they collect your tickets when you arrive, but my husband pulled out the handwritten copy we were provided when they put on our wristbands. He stated that he wanted to see our "real" tickets. As this was quickly becoming a futile effort on our parts, my husband went in search of security to assist.
During this time, the male became much more loud and righteous toward me, insisting to see our tickets. When I asked to see theirs, the female began to hand me some stubs, and the male quickly removed them from her hand, again insisting to see mine. He was yelling at me, insisting the seats were theirs, and while poking me in the arm, insisted on seeing our tickets. At this point, I decided to back off until my husband returned. When he did so, it was with a female member of the security team, who remembered us, but also checked the tickets of the others. The tickets were not only altered, but not for our seats at all. They claimed it was all a misunderstanding. My arm certainly did not feel like it was a "misunderstanding". They went along their way. My husband and I reclaimed our seats, and attempted to sit and enjoy the band on stage at the time. Unfortunately, as the security changed, so did the rules. We now had many people up in front of us and were unable to see the band, or truly enjoy the show. More upsetting is that these people had not even paid the substantial price to be in that section, let alone obscuring our view. Security had little success when asking them to move, and basically threw up their hands in defeat. During this time, another group of attendees in our row were also experiencing the same thing, and were getting little support from security. There was only ONE security person that we observed, actually enforcing the rules with consistency. It became so unruly, that we decided to leave, as we were no longer able to enjoy the show. Unfortunately, as we always do, we purchased the two-day passes, so we will attempt again tomorrow. While I hope for a better outcome, I am not foolish enough to believe it will happen. It is unlikely that we will ever return to this venue for the Jazz & Blues Festival again. It saddens me to even say this, as we had looked forward to, and enjoyed it, for many years. We will be looking for a more desirable venue to enjoy music that we love. I would not recommend this to anyone moving forward.
Written September 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ladyjazz17
San Jose, CA66 contributions
Jun 2015 • Solo
I have attended the Blues Festival here in the past, and if you arrive early enough, you can get a shady spot. Otherwise I hope you are a sun worshiper as there is very little shade otherwise. During the festival many people get on inflatable rafts and float in the Russian River while enjoying the best of music! Since I was last there a few years ago, the blues and jazz festivals are now combined, with one day for each (the blues used to be in June, and the jazz in September). I can't speak for the rest of the amenities there, but for the festivals I attended, I really enjoyed myself.
Written January 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marilyn T
44 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
We chose Johnson's Beach over Burke's Canoes in Forestville as a more laid-back way to enjoy the river. While it sounded beautiful, the Burke's Canoe experience requires a lot of swimming confidence, and not minding the threat of your canoe tipping over at any point during the 10-mile ride. Johnson's Beach, on the other hand, is on a calm stretch of river, where we could rent canoes, kayaks, or paddleboats, and go pretty far up the river for a reasonable rental fee. A drawback is that the beach is small and can feel crowded - not the quiet, isolated feeling you might get from canoeing down a river on your own. But the fun is still there, with soft-serve ice cream at the end of it to top off the experience.
Written August 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Teriden
Petaluma, CA36 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
We rented the paddle boat, we were a little disappointed because there is a very restricted area the rented boats can travel, quite small. We were expecting we could explore, we had brought our lunch on board and thought we would be able to find along the shore down stream to eat. This was not the case, you are within site of Johnson Beach at all times. It was nice to just float and watched the birds build their nests on the underside of the bridge, but no exploring.
Written July 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MMMSebastopol
Sebastopol, CA316 contributions
Jun 2015 • Solo
I would give this a good 3 1/2 rating if possible. It has changed ownership, and is mostly the same (although the 70-s music really doesn't have the atmosphere of the 40's music they used to play), but the prices went up a big jump for kayak/canoe/paddle boat rentals, so we will probably go less frequently.
Written July 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
After the devastating flooding Guerneville experienced earlier this year, will you be able to open on schedule? Hope so!
Greg S
Oakland, CA70 contributions
i am remote and can't answer that
Are dogs ok in cages and leashed
DanJBR
Guerneville, CA2 contributions
I'm afraid dogs are not permitted on the property.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingJohnson's Beach - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Johnson's Beach
- Johnson's Beach is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Hotels near Johnson's Beach:
- (0.10 mi) Riverlane Resort
- (0.07 mi) Johnson's Beach - Cabins and Campground
- (0.07 mi) Parker's Resort
- (0.17 mi) Creekside Inn & Resort
- (0.29 mi) Dawn Ranch
- Restaurants near Johnson's Beach:
- (0.15 mi) boon eat + drink
- (0.14 mi) Big Bottom Market
- (0.12 mi) Mc T's Bullpen
- (0.15 mi) Guerneville Bank Club
- (0.15 mi) Main Street Bistro & Cabaret
Johnson's Beach Information
Excellent Reviews | 46 |
|---|---|
Very Good Reviews | 33 |
Johnson's Beach Photos | 22 |