I spent the weekend in this LGBTQ-celebratory town just north of San Francisco, and it felt like a queer spin on small-town America

Matt CharnockAug 6, 2022, 18:55 IST

Colorful umbrellas dot the sand at Johnson's Beach in Guerneville, California, on the Russian River.Gary Saxe/Shutterstock

I spent three days in Guerneville, California, an LGBTQ-friendly town just north of San Francisco.
The town is full of queer-owned businesses, including an Old West-themed saloon.

Just 90 minutes away from San Francisco's Castro district, the town of Guerneville is a unique, queer version of rural America.

Businesses in Guerneville, California.Matt Charnock for Insider

It was a scenic 1.5-hour drive to Guerneville from San Francisco, with dog Olive in tow.

It took about 90 minutes to drive to Guerneville from San Francisco.Matt Charnock for Insider

I stayed at R3 Hotel, a celebrated queer resort made up of 23 guest rooms, two bars, and an onsite restaurant, Rio Bistro.

The entrance of R3 Hotel.Matt Charnock for Insider

The hotel has a pool and plentiful chairs to lounge in.

The pool and deck area at R3 Hotel.Matt Charnock for Insider

R3 hotel is also dog-friendly, which made it perfect for my traveling companion Olive.

Olive enjoying a rest after the drive.Matt Charnock for Insider

During my weekend visit, a brunch drag show took place at the hotel's poolside patio.

Drag queen Jubilee performing at R3 Hotel.Matt Charnock for Insider

The amount of queer establishments nested in the 10-square-mile town is refreshing, particularly Rainbow Cattle Company, the oldest gay bar in town.

Rainbow Cattle Company, a western-themed gay bar.Matt Charnock for Insider

The inclusivity sign hanging outside Rainbow Cattle Company reminds visitors that the watering hole is a safe and welcoming space.

All visitors are welcome at the Rainbow Cattle Company saloon.Matt Charnock for Insider

The main street, River Road, is filled with quaint cafes, vintage clothing and antique shops, and a bookstore.

Coffee shops along Guerneville's River Road.Matt Charnock for Insider

Among the many queer-owned businesses is Equality Wines, which serves a small collection of hyperlocal wines, most of which were bottled in Sonoma County.

Inside Equality Wines' store.Matt Charnock for Insider

One of my favorite shops was a mystical store selling crystals, knickknacks, and spiritual items.

The collection of stones and crystals at the Center For Sacred Studies Earth and Spirit Gift Store.Matt Charnock for Insider

In the local dime store, I browsed a huge collection of greeting cards, many of them made by local artists.

Postcards and greeting cards made by local artists inside Guerneville 5 & 10 dime store.Matt Charnock for Insider

I also passed by Solarpunk Farms, a queer-founded learning center focused on environmentally-conscious agriculture.

The entrance of Solarpunk Farms' community space.Matt Charnock for Insider

The next day, I passed by a vegetable garden belonging to boon eat + drink, a farm-to-table bistro established in 2009.

The organic garden outside boon eat + drink bistro.Matt Charnock for Insider

Later, I walked across the historic Guerneville Bridge located near downtown.

The view across the Guerneville Bridge.Matt Charnock for Insider

The small town is rich with public artwork and brimming with murals on the sides of buildings and fences.

Colorful paintings decorate a fence in town.Matt Charnock for Insider

When Olive and I went out for our morning coffee walks, it was guaranteed that someone would ask to pet her.

All of the locals in Guerneville were very welcoming.Matt Charnock for Insider

I only stayed three days in Guerneville on this trip, but it was the perfect mini escape and I'm eager to return before summer ends.

I plan to come back to Guerneville soon this summer.Matt Charnock

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