Johnsons Beach in Guerneville is a
step back in time to that memory you had as a youngster, enjoying splendid
weather and an intimate, friendly watering hole or beach with your family
and friends. Johnsons Beach is framed by
the historic Guerneville Bridge, recognized in the National Register of
Historic Places. The significance is event-oriented for the periods of
1900-1924, 1925-1949. Its Area of Significance is in categories
Transportation, Entertainment/Recreation with Transportation being its
historic function and Pedestrian Related, Road-Related being its
historic sub-function. The bridge is owned and maintained by the State of
California.
Johnsons Beach, Guerneville--You'd swear
that you've entered a time warp when you drive down the road to Johnsons
Beach in Guerneville. Johnson's Beach & Resort on the Russian River takes
you back to a lazy day as kid at the lake, resting on an inner tube just
floating along. The warmth of the sun and sound, cool water against your
skin and children's laughter are your only concerns.
Upon descending the gently sloped hill
to the beach, you may hear an
announcer on the intercom say, "Jimmy, you're going to have to get out of
the water if you don't behave." In a place where the concession owner
knows the kids' names, a place that's been around for close to 100 years
with only three changes of ownership during that time, a play that seems so
far away from busy Los Angeles or San Francisco--yet so close. Though they
seem worlds apart, Johnsons Beach in Guerneville is just over 70 miles away
from San Francisco.
The beach brings the return of innocence. Boys
act up and splash each other too much, girls listen to their favorite teeny
bopper songs and a mom brings her children back and tells them that not much
has changed in the 25 years since her last trip here as a child.
Johnsons Beach features canoes, kayaks and
paddleboats for rent plus umbrellas, inner tubes and beach chairs. A snack
bar is located at the beach as well as a popular spot roped-off as the
kiddies' pool area protected from the boat launch.
Located in downtown
Guerneville within
walking distance of shopping and restaurants, hiking trails, redwoods and
wine tasting are all close by. The Pacific Ocean is 14 miles to the west.
The Russian River is an old-time resort region with many businesses such as
Johnson's, which has been in existence since around World War I. It has been
owned and operated by three different families in all that time and
continues to sell customer service and small town friendship. JOHNSON'S
BEACH & RESORT P.O. BOX 386 16241 First Street Guerneville, California
95446 Call: 707-869-2022 (www.johnsonsbeach.com)
