SONOMA COUNTY TOURISM BUREAU
Welcome to Gay and Lesbian Sonoma County
Sonoma County has long been the year-round destination of choice for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender crowd looking to enjoy the rural benefits of this premier wine country and natural recreation haven.
The rivers and redwoods, coasts and sea villages, and valleys and vineyards of Sonoma County are just a 30-minute scenic drive from the Golden Gate Bridge.
Planning a visit? Book rooms, attractions and activities at www.sonomacounty.com. While visiting the website, sign up for a free visitors guide and map, and find out more about hotels, wineries, events, spas, and attractions. Call (800) 576-6662 for more information.
The cool, clear water of the Russian River boasts sandy beaches that indulge laid-back sunbathers as well as the more energetic sports of kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and swimming. Hiking, picnicking, nature walks, biking and horseback riding are some of the ways that visitors enjoy the stately giants at Armstrong Redwoods State Preserve.
The River’s Major LGBT Resorts and Bars
The private balconies of Creekside Inn & Resort’s eco-friendly cottages are high up among the redwoods. The resort comes complete with barbecue areas and a sunny swimming pool.
Redwoods surround the mountain-perched cabins at the Highlands Resort. The resort offers the choice of private cabins or the more communal camping option.
The historic Sonoma Orchid Inn offers luxurious accommodations. This fully restored and elegantly furnished 1906 farmhouse has all the modern amenities: private baths, wireless high-speed Internet, TiVo-equipped rooms, state-of-the-art hot tub, fireplaces and a "guest kitchen" available to guests 24 hours a day.
Located right on the Russian River, the Village Inn & Restaurant’s Summer Sundays on their terraced lawn is a popular hangout to enjoy music, lawn games and summer barbecue menu from May through September. Year-round the charming rooms, with river and garden views, and Classic-American cuisine attract local residents and guests alike.
The Woods Resort caters to a gay clientele with cottages, guest cabins and multi-room suites with full kitchens, gas fireplaces, private balconies and views of verdant redwood forests. The swimming pool is not only one of the largest in the area but one of the sunniest, and clothing is optional.
The Rainbow Cattle Company – which serves food on weekends and event days – has a jam-packed entertainment and nightlife calendar year round. Since 1979, this legendary daddy of bars has been an institution and Northern California party destination. Known for their Long Island, Long Beach and Tokyo Iced Teas, and Mad Cows served in quart-size Mason jars there is always a celebration at this “queer steer.” Steer Tag Parties take the guessing out of who’s single and who isn’t.
To hot DJ dance music, cool drinks and $1 burgers and hot dogs everyone wears their availability proudly on their chest “No, I’m Taken,” “Maybe (buy me a drink first),” “Yes, I’m Easy,” are just half the choices.
Just across the street is Club Yamagata where the party starts around 10 p.m. with DJs and an electrical musical dance mix every night. Performers at Open Microphone Night are rewarded with a free shot. Live music events, Sister Flicks – Bad Movie Nights and sushi dinner served six nights a week make this a fun place to cavort.
The adults-only Russian River Resort, aka the Triple R, is the area’s most energetic of the gay nightlife options. During the day, the pool area is the place to be with bronzed bodies sunning themselves and enjoying the disco music and drinks. It’s a popular gal’s spot too. One of the women recently called it the perfect gay resort, “a fantastic conglomeration of wraparound bar/pool/restaurant/hotel where every drink you order comes back a double and there is always a party.” Leather disco, “Felt-up” women’s nights, DJs from the hottest clubs in San Francisco, L.A. and New York, karaoke and comedy nights pack the house year-round.
We’re Host to Gay & Lesbian Events, Festivals and Parties All Year Long
There is a party for every one of the major and minor holidays from New Year’s to Groundhog’s Day. A monthly not-to-be-missed event is the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Bingo Game. The games are infamous, uproarious, colorful, and raise money for many area causes. Be careful, if you’re caught calling bingo and you don’t have it there are punishments!
In May, it’s a riotous weekend in the redwoods with the pool parties, speed dating, Truth or Dare games, motorcycle runs, crafts fairs, art shows, drag king contests, bombshell parties, drum circles and dance parties as Women’s Weekend brings the ladies to town for their annual event. Grrr!
In early August, the big and furry, and their beau’s converge on Sonoma County for the extremely popular Lazy Bear Weekend. Every year Guerneville prepares in style for the annual migration bear-run–from cubs to grizzlies. Daddy bears, otters, pandas and assorted admirers will enjoy a weekend of fun and frolic with parties every night into the wee hours.
October means the Annual Russian River Progressive Halloween Costume Contest. The party and the costumes progress to all the party hot spots in town.
In November is the annual Mr. Russian River Leather Contest and Weekend. Contestants and visitors come from all over California to partake in this fun and fetish packed event.
Although the Russian River is the center of county’s gay life, Sonoma County is welcoming to gay visitors and offers a diverse menu of attractions for every itinerary from couples’ romance to family recreation.
Before heading out to explore 50 miles of Sonoma County’s state park beaches, pick up cheese and wine for a picnic lunch at gay-owned Sophie’s Cellars in Monte Rio or build your own gourmet food basket from among the many artisan food purveyors.
The coast and redwoods are not the only locales for gay events. In May, it’s A Night of Elegance: The Prom You Never Had at St. Rose Hall in the Historic St. Rose District of Santa Rosa. This annual prom is for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and intersexed (GLBTQI) adults. The special night includes prom wear, corsages, boutonnieres, dancing, official prom photos and raffle prizes.
Showing Our Pride
Every June, Sonoma County celebrates pride with two events at Santa Rosa’s Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. First is the Annual Pride Comedy Night: A Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Celebration followed by dancing and DJ music. The following day is the annual Sonoma County Pride festival. The festival includes a commitment ceremony, live musical entertainment, political representatives, community information, merchandise and delicious food and drinks.
For a Night on the Town
Sweet Mondays are Sonoma County’s weekly party for the LGBT community at SeVen Ultralounge in Santa Rosa. Billed as Sonoma County’s longest running weekly dance event for the LGBT community, it’s a warm and friendly dance with top 40 Club Hits and Retro Classics.
The gayest place in Penngrove is The Black Cat Bar & Cafe. This lesbian-owned fun and funky bar in Penngrove is housed in a building more than 100 years old decorated with bras hanging from the ceiling and black cats. Wednesday night is Open Microphone, Thursday night is Boy’s Night Out, Friday night the place pulsates to the music of live bands and Saturday night is DJ dancing. Several nights a month are Tipping the Velvet Girls Night, Jack and Chills Boys Night and Club Queer when the music is mellow trip-hop and electronica, the lights are low, candles burn and the atmosphere says romance.
Want to improve your dance style before hitting the clubs? The John Ross Ballroom Dance Studio in Rohnert Park offers swing, salsa and rumba classes for same sex couples. As “do-si-do,” “promenade, “and “swing” orders are called out the Sebastopol Redwood Rainbows square dance around the room. This lesbian and gay square dance club offers a warm and friendly environment for square dancing and socialization. Dance dress code is casual, and no partner is needed to attend the dances.
When its Time to Call it a Night
From the largest hotels to the smallest three room inns, from trendy shops to wine hospitality centers and restaurants, every place to stay or visit in Sonoma County welcomes gay visitors. Several Sonoma County hotels have been TAG (Travel Alternatives Group) Approved. That means the accommodations have met the qualifications that include enforcing non-discriminatory policies, treating heterosexual and domestic partners equally in personnel policies and providing diversity training. TAG Approved properties include:
Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa
103 Coast Highway One
Bodega Bay, CA
(888) 875-3525
www.WoodsideHotels.com/Bodega
Creekside Inn & Resort
16180 Neeley Road
Guerneville, CA 95446
(800) 776-6586
www.creeksideinn.com
Doubletree Hotel Sonoma Wine Country
One Doubletree Drive
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
(707) 584-5466
www.dtsonoma.com
Fern Grove Cottages
16650 Highway 116
Guerneville, CA 95446
(888) 243-2674
www.ferngrove.com
Fountaingrove Inn Hotel & Conference Center
101 Foutaingrove Parkway
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(800) 222-6101
www.fountaingroveinn.com
Gaige House Inn
13540 Arnold Drive
Glen Ellen, CA 95442
(707) 935-0237
www.gaige.com
Highlands Resort
14000 Woodland Drive
Guerneville, CA 95446
(707) 869-0333
www.highlandsresort.com
Hilton Sonoma Wine Country
3555 Round Barn Blvd.
Santa Rosa, CA
(707) 523-7555
www.winecountryhilton.com
Hotel La Rose
308 Wilson Street
Santa Rosa, CA
(707) 579-3200
www.hotellarose.com
Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel & Spa
170 Railroad Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
(707) 284-1234
www.vineyardcreek.hyatt.com
Sheraton Sonoma County
745 Baywood Drive
Petaluma, CA 94954
(707) 283-2888
www.sheraton.com/petaluma
Sonoma Orchid Inn
12850 River Road
Guerneville, CA 95446
(707) 887-1033
www.ridenhourinn.com
Village Inn & Restaurant
20822 River Blvd
Monte Rio, CA 95462
(707) 865-2304
www.villageinn-ca.com
Woods Resort
16484 4th Street
Guerneville, CA 95446
(877) 887-9218
www.rrwoods.com
Contact Information
For Conventions, Conferences, Meeting and Incentives go to:
SonomaCounty.com.
Ph: (707) 522-5800, E-mail: Robin McKee-Cant
For general information: visit www.SonomaCounty.com Email: Robin McKee-Cant
Press Inquiries: please contact Tina Luster at (707) 522-5800. E-mail Tina Luster.
Photo Credits:
Peter Griffith (grapes), Robert Janover (men in vineyard), Lisa Kimmell (women), Sonoma Co. Tourism Board.
Find Gay Welcoming, TAG Approved® Hotels in Sonoma County
Gay Hotels in Bodega Bay and Gay Friendly Hotels in Bodega Bay
Gay Hotels in Glen Ellen and Gay Friendly Hotels in Glen Ellen
Gay Hotels in Guerneville and Gay Friendly Hotels in Guerneville
Gay Hotels in Healdsburg and Gay Friendly Hotels in Healdsburg
Gay Hotels in Monte Rio and Gay Friendly Hotels in Monte Rio
Gay Hotels in Petaluma and Gay Friendly Hotels in Petaluma
Gay Hotels in Rohnert Park and Gay Friendly Hotels in Rohnert Park
Gay Hotels in Santa Rosa and Gay Friendly Hotels in Santa Rosa
