Guidebook for Duncans Mills and Surrounding Area
Parks & Nature
Miles of trails can be accessed right from our road. Fabulous hiking and mountain biking. The Islands in the Sky loop trail takes you to the top of the mountain where you can take in spectacular views of the ocean and river. It takes about an hour to reach the top of the mountain. Pack water and snacks.
Willow Creek
Miles of trails can be accessed right from our road. Fabulous hiking and mountain biking. The Islands in the Sky loop trail takes you to the top of the mountain where you can take in spectacular views of the ocean and river. It takes about an hour to reach the top of the mountain. Pack water and snacks.
Several Sonoma Coast State Beaches are just minutes away. Miles of hiking over coastal bluffs, tide pools, crashing waves, stunning scenery.
55 locals recommend
Sonoma Coast State Park
3095 CA-1Several Sonoma Coast State Beaches are just minutes away. Miles of hiking over coastal bluffs, tide pools, crashing waves, stunning scenery.
A 30 minute drive up the coast, Fort Ross is an interesting historic park and museum with great walking paths over the coastal bluffs and picnic areas. A great place to visit to learn some local history and take in stunning coastline.
54 locals recommend
Fort Ross State Historic Park
19005 Coast HighwayA 30 minute drive up the coast, Fort Ross is an interesting historic park and museum with great walking paths over the coastal bluffs and picnic areas. A great place to visit to learn some local history and take in stunning coastline.
Stunning beach where the river and ocean meet. Harbor seal nursing area and literally hundreds of birds. Beach is unique with river on one side and ocean on the other. Like other beaches along the Sonoma Coast, conditions can be very dangerous here so please pay attention to caution signs.
125 locals recommend
Goat Rock Beach
Stunning beach where the river and ocean meet. Harbor seal nursing area and literally hundreds of birds. Beach is unique with river on one side and ocean on the other. Like other beaches along the Sonoma Coast, conditions can be very dangerous here so please pay attention to caution signs.
A great place to take in more redwoods and picnic. Easy walking paths. Even on a rainy day, it's fun to splash in the puddles under these majestic giants.
500 locals recommend
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve Visitor Center
17000 Armstrong Woods RdA great place to take in more redwoods and picnic. Easy walking paths. Even on a rainy day, it's fun to splash in the puddles under these majestic giants.
The Kortum Trail is accessed along the Sonoma Coast and just a few minutes drive from Riverfront Retreat. Since the trail is very well maintained and mostly flat, it is easy to hike and great for kids. There are tide pools, beaches, stunning rock formations and breathtaking sunsets. Good places to park and access the trail are Goat Rock Beach (park halfway down to main parking lot), Shell Beach or Wright's Beach.
7 locals recommend
Kortum Trail
Kortum TrailThe Kortum Trail is accessed along the Sonoma Coast and just a few minutes drive from Riverfront Retreat. Since the trail is very well maintained and mostly flat, it is easy to hike and great for kids. There are tide pools, beaches, stunning rock formations and breathtaking sunsets. Good places to park and access the trail are Goat Rock Beach (park halfway down to main parking lot), Shell Beach or Wright's Beach.
The Jenner Headlands Preserve is a network of hiking trails climbing the hills high above the ocean. Hike to the top of the mountain through pastures of cattle, ancient trees and grasslands. Breath deep and take in all the stunning, beautiful nature surrounding you.
34 locals recommend
Jenner Headlands Preserve
12001 CA-1The Jenner Headlands Preserve is a network of hiking trails climbing the hills high above the ocean. Hike to the top of the mountain through pastures of cattle, ancient trees and grasslands. Breath deep and take in all the stunning, beautiful nature surrounding you.
Restaurants and Cafes
There a few good offerings in our tiny town of Duncan’s Mills, or venture further afield to Jenner (for spectacular coastal views), Guerneville, Bodega Bay, Occidental, or
Sebastopol.
A great place to hang out and take in the scenery of the mouth of the river. Depending on the season and weather, there is usually someone playing music which adds to the fantastic, relaxing ambiance. A chill place with high octane coffee, yummy sandwiches and clam chowder.
92 locals recommend
Cafe Aquatica
10439 CA-1A great place to hang out and take in the scenery of the mouth of the river. Depending on the season and weather, there is usually someone playing music which adds to the fantastic, relaxing ambiance. A chill place with high octane coffee, yummy sandwiches and clam chowder.
A great little Cafe/Restaurant with yummy fresh food, great coffee, wine, and local products, wine and snacks to take to go.
90 locals recommend
Big Bottom Market
16228 Main StA great little Cafe/Restaurant with yummy fresh food, great coffee, wine, and local products, wine and snacks to take to go.
Huge, hearty breakfasts in the heart of Duncans Mills. Ride your bike or walk into town for breakfast - a great way to start the day!
56 locals recommend
Cape Fear Café
25191 Main StreetHuge, hearty breakfasts in the heart of Duncans Mills. Ride your bike or walk into town for breakfast - a great way to start the day!
You can often smell the coffee roasting and fresh pastries from their wood-burning oven. A popular spot right in town for smoothies, pizza, pastries and coffee. A fun morning bike ride destination. There is also a nice back patio for hanging out.
65 locals recommend
Gold Coast Coffee & Bakery
25377 Steelhead BlvdYou can often smell the coffee roasting and fresh pastries from their wood-burning oven. A popular spot right in town for smoothies, pizza, pastries and coffee. A fun morning bike ride destination. There is also a nice back patio for hanging out.
Outdoor seating on the patio. Live music sometimes on weekends. Sports, beer, burgers. A fun local scene.
72 locals recommend
Blue Heron | Restaurant and Tavern
25300 Steelhead BlvdOutdoor seating on the patio. Live music sometimes on weekends. Sports, beer, burgers. A fun local scene.
Fantastic place for brunch. Also a good place to stop for a meal on you way out of the area.
91 locals recommend
Howard Station Cafe
3611 Bohemian HwyFantastic place for brunch. Also a good place to stop for a meal on you way out of the area.
Fine dining with a beautiful view over the mouth of the river. Perfect for sunset.
105 locals recommend
River's End Restaurant & Inn
11048 CA-1Fine dining with a beautiful view over the mouth of the river. Perfect for sunset.
Arts & Culture
Welcome to our historic little town of Duncans Mills. Visit Worldly Goods and other wonderful, sweet shops filled with antiques, interesting gifts, tea, jewelry, books and more! There is also wine tasting, a general store with all the essentials, a cafe with homemade pastries and pizza, and a full service restaurant.
58 locals recommend
Duncans Mills
Welcome to our historic little town of Duncans Mills. Visit Worldly Goods and other wonderful, sweet shops filled with antiques, interesting gifts, tea, jewelry, books and more! There is also wine tasting, a general store with all the essentials, a cafe with homemade pastries and pizza, and a full service restaurant.
Basics
Our local general store carries all the basics. A good place for groceries, sandwiches, local meats, wines and cheeses.
38 locals recommend
Duncans Mills General Store
25200 CA-116Our local general store carries all the basics. A good place for groceries, sandwiches, local meats, wines and cheeses.