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Take a scenic drive west of the
Sonoma Wine Country on River Road and you'll come across a quaint and historic town by the name of Monte Rio.
Monte Rio California is along the winding Russian River where canoeing and kayaking is a popular summer past time. River Road follows the Russian River to it's mouth on the Pacific Ocean at the town of Jenner and can be accessed at the
River Road exit on Hwy 101 just north of Santa Rosa California. The drive is beautiful, filled with trees and hills and the meandering river on your left as you head for the coast. Russian River getaways have long been a popular northern California trip idea.
At one time the town of Monte Rio was named "Montrio". That was the name given in 1902 when the railroad built a train depot and hotel on the Russian River. When the post office first opened in 1924, the town's name was changed to Monte Rio. Today, Monte Rio is a tourist destination. In the late 1870's it was in the middle of the bustling Redwood timber industry and as such was on a stop of the
North Pacific Coast Railroad which ran from Cazadero to Sausalito to the south on San Francisco Bay. From there people and cargo were transported by ferry to San Francisco. Both regular and narrow gauge railroads built into the area. The regular or broad gauge line was completed in 1909. By this time the forests had been heavily logged and vacation lots were offered for sale. Along with the logging industry there was quicksilver mining. This was another name for mercury. Among other applications, Mercury was used in barometers and thermometers.
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| Rio Theater, Monte Rio CA |
For a relatively small town, Monte Rio has several very interesting sites to explore. One is the old
Rio Theater. The theater is housed in a Quonset hut. A man named Sid Bartlett built the theater during 1949 and 1950. Bartlett was a local Monte Rio merchant who decided to build the theater with a surplus Quonset hut from World War Two although the one he used never was actually deployed in the war. The Rio Theater today is quite a unique theater in several ways. The concession stand sells hot dogs with sauerkraut along with usual theater food. Part of the theater is also a restaurant that's open for breakfast five days per week. The theater's inside is lined with art showcasing the Russian River area. The outside of the Quonset hut has a large mural of the Monte Rio area.
Another great site at Monte Rio is the
Russian River Hall. The live theater was formerly named the Pegasus Hall and is used for live performing arts. The Russian River Hall produces such events as plays, concerts, art shows and standup comedy. The location is 20347 Highway 116, Monte Rio. Check out their website for the current schedule of plays and other events.
www.russianriverhall.com.
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| Russian River Hall |
When you have the opportunity to visit the Russian River area and particularly Monte Rio, an excellent restaurant to stop in at is the Highland Dell Lodge located directly on the south river bank across from the town. The
Highland Dell Lodge is both a hotel and restaurant and is perched up on a hill on the riverbank. Along with great food, the Highland Dell Lodge has an outside deck and offers some of the best river views in the area. Monte Rio is located about twenty miles west of US Hwy 101 on River Road. The River Road exit on Hwy 101is about 6 miles north of Santa Rosa California. Santa Rosa is about 55 miles north of San Francisco.
Following are Sonoma County California related historic sites you will find interesting. Our articles on these are the
Luther Burbank Home and Gardens in Santa Rosa, the great
wine town of Healdsburg and
Railroad Square in Santa Rosa CA
If you're reaching the Russian River area from Hwy 101, there are plenty of great stops along the way on River Road.
Martinelli Winery is located about four miles west of Hwy 101 on River Road and further west is
Korbel Champagne Cellers on River Road east of Guerneville. Guerneville itself is a great area for kayaking and canoeing and offers Johnsons Beach with boat rentals available. A visit to Monte Rio and the Russian River communities makes an historic and fun western side trip.
(Photos from author's private collection)
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