$873,831Average Value$516Average Price per Sq Ft6Homes For Sale
From frontier to active community
Sure, Forestville is full of trees, but that’s a happy accident. Its moniker is simply a misspelling of its 19th-century namesake — a saloon owner called Forrister. Snuggled between the Russian River and Highway 116, Forestville was established as a frontier town in the late 1860s. It eventually attracted turn-of-the-century writers and artists, San Franciscans hoping to cool off by the river and vintners looking to bottle the magic of its Russian River Valley soil. “Forestville is just this little very small town, tucked away feeling, but still only 15 minutes from culture and Costco and Home Depot,” says Roxanne Mercer, a broker associate at Luxe Places International and third-generation Guerneville native who has lived in the area for around 60 years, attending high school in Forestville. “You’re actually very close to those things, but it feels like you’re 50 miles away. People get to feel like they’re living in the trees without having to live in a busy vacation town. It’s the kind of place where you can choose to know every neighbor and everybody lifts a hand for everybody, or you can choose not to know anybody.”
This one-lane bridge into town is worth the scenic detour to get to Forestville, California.
Downtown Forestville and their shops are visited regulary by cyclists traveling from Santa Rosa.
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Floating party on the Russian River
Early Tuesday evenings from June through September, residents chat at the Forestville Farmers Market while enjoying live music and perusing locally produced fruits, veggies, booze and crafts. In June, they arm themselves with tube floats and meet at Steelhead Beach to float along the Russian River together and the Forestville Youth Park Parade draws a spirited crowd.
Get your kayak ready for the Russian River and all it has to offer in Forestville, California.
Forestville Youth Park is at the heart of Forestville for locals.
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Sunshine Roasters coffee, wine on every corner
Residents head to Speer’s Market for fresh produce and meats or drive 20 minutes to larger grocery stores in Healdsburg or Santa Rosa. Serving as Forestville’s downtown, Front Street is the essence of wining and dining. Residents find fresh-baked delights at Nightingale Breads and eye-opening espresso at Sunshine Roasters, which also makes a custom coffee blend for Tiny Town Café. At Carr’s Drive-In, the burgers and shakes come with a side of 1950s nostalgia, while Sonoma Pizza Company fires up fancy pies like grilled peach with burrata and arugula alongside house-made root beer. Upscale wine-country dining in Forestville comes in two forms: rustic-swanky and Michelin-starred. The former is Canneti Roadhouse Italiana, owned and helmed by a Tuscan-born chef and known for the seating on its garden-rimmed, fairy-lit deck. The latter is the restaurant at Farmhouse Inn, a sibling-owned luxury resort with locally sourced ingredients. Away from the buzz of still more casual Front Street tasting rooms, wineries and vineyards abound.
Meet with a friend for coffee or watch the tourists from Sunshine Roasters in Forestville.
Forestville residents and guests stop by the Sonoma Pizza Company for an amazing lunch.
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Sunny or tree-shaded living
Single-family homes in Forestville can date back to the Victorian era, but Mercer says no two homes are alike. Ranch-style homes, cozy cottages and homes with rustic wood shingles or log exteriors can all be found here. Larger lots, which can be wooded or flat and sunny, are common and most homes are on septic, but they also come at a premium. “It draws a higher dollar because it is that halfway in between Guerneville and Santa Rosa where you don’t have to deal with vacation traffic and can still be in the woods,” Mercer says. Homes start at about $450,000 but can soar to $3 million.
Hillside homes in Forestville create the feel of a village beside the Russian River.
Classical Victorian homes can be found in Forestville, California.
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Top-rated Analy High School
The Forestville Union Elementary School District has a B-minus on Niche. Forestville Elementary School teaches kindergarten and first grade but hasn’t been scored by Niche or GreatSchools. For second through eighth grade, Forestville Academy, a charter school and the only local option for those grades, receives a B-minus on Niche. Children can attend Analy High School, which is part of the West Sonoma County Union High School District. Analy merged with El Molino High School in 2021, and has an A-minus.
Forestville Elementary School offers an inspiring campus encouraging children to learn.
Educational opportunities abound at Analy High School.
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Floating down the Russian River
Steelhead Beach is the go-to spot for swimming and enjoying the Russian River. Locals enjoy hiking up pedestrian-only side roads or hitting the 5.5-mile off-road West County Regional Trail to Graton and Sebastopol, drinking in views of pastures and vineyards. Residents also enjoy walking around town. “You’ll always see people out walking together in downtown Forestville,” says longtime area resident Julia Lander. “My favorite place to walk is Forestview Cemetery, which is so pretty and peaceful, with big, arching oaks everywhere and vineyards on both sides. You can take your dog, but I just love wandering past the old graves and trying to imagine people’s stories.” Youth Park offers soccer and baseball fields alongside a playground.
Steelhead Beach on the Russian River in Forestville is a great place to spend the day.
Get your best bike mate and head out to West County Regional Trail in Forestville, California.
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Commuting to Santa Rosa
Front Street, also known as Route 116, serves as Forestville’s main thoroughfare. Along this road, it’s about 7 miles to Sebastopol or Guerneville. Forestville’s position between Guerneville and Santa Rosa, which is 14 miles away, is a major draw. “The majority of people are going to be commuting to work, so it’s a much nicer commute for them, not having to go all the way from Guerneville,” Mercer says. The Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport is less than 9 miles away.
Catch the bus out of town with local transit in Forestville, California.
The local Sonoma County Airport offers easy access for Forestville residents and visitors.
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Written By
Christina Norwood
Video By
Mallory Nolte
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Micah Suard,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Forestville, CA sell after 80 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Forestville, CA over the last 12 months is $650,000, up 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Experience Pristine Privacy at this Hilltop Retreat! Situated on 23 secluded acres, this custom-built home features an expansive great room for entertaining guests with host kitchen fitted with high-end appliances and large kitchen island. This home lives like a single story with two bedrooms, a generous office, a full and half bathroom on the lower level, with an expansive master suite and
Two Units and Detached Garage on nice lot, zoned RR. Rare opportunity to purchase a multi-parcel property in Forestville, West Sonoma County. The offering includes three parcels sold together, with an estimated combined lot size of approximately 0.33 acres, consisting of a main residence, secondary dwelling, and a separate garage parcel. The property has been owned by the same family for
Desirable home in the Redwoods with 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. Two separate entrances into this beautiful home with 1710 sq.ft., living space. Kitchen has updated stainless steel appliances, cabinets & recessed lighting. Decking off the living room area great for outside relaxing. Extra room upstairs for a possible office and or den. Outside area with a separate shed, great for a hobby room.
Debra DelfinoLuxe Places International
$165,000
Land
1.00 Acre Lot
Welcome to this lovely Russian River retreat within a Redwood grove with private river access. Close to amenities yet emersed within The Russian River and your own personal Redwood Forest. Gated property from the road. Lots of parking and beautiful landscaping. River access and river island. Stargazing at its finest and sunrise in the morning. Property includes a Permitted well. Electric at the
Well-located duplex in Forestville offering a solid investment opportunity. This non-owner-occupied property features two separate units-one upstairs and one downstairs-each with 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. Both units include in-unit washer and dryer hookups and one-car garages, providing practical amenities for long-term tenants. Situated close to the Russian River and within easy reach of
Fantastic opportunity to reimagine this 2 bedroom, 1 bath fixer in desirable Forestville. Offering 893 sq ft with river views and nearby river access. The setting alone makes this a standout, combine thoughtful updates with the natural surroundings to unlock its full potential!
Secluded and charming, this 2 bed, 1 bath home boasts an open floor plan with sloped forest views and dappled sun exposure. Cozy up by the pellet stove or enjoy the updated kitchen and bath, while efficient new electric heating and cooling system keep you comfortable year-round. A large storage area with washer and dryer adds convenience, and with only one home on this quiet stretch of Terrace
Unique Investment opportunity located just minutes from the charming town of Forestville. Featuring two separate 1940s bungalows the main unit offers 2 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, while the second unit is a quaint studio located below, providing multiple rental options. Live in one unit and rent the other, or lease both as an income producing property. Located across River Road from popular
Beautiful level vacant lot located at the corner of Davis Road and Covey Road in the heart of Forestville. This prime residential parcel features a 9-bedroom percolation test, offering excellent potential for a spacious home and yard. Enjoy gorgeous vineyard views and a stunning vista of Mt. St. Helena, all within minutes of downtown Forestville, local schools, and the Russian River. A rare
Mushrooms pickers this is the spot! These 2 lots are full of mushrooms, ferns, Bay Laurel, Oak, Maple. Two lots totaling 7.462 acres,smaller lot address is 11393 Skyline Rd.The larger lot has Hobson Creek running through it Both lots are connected. The larger lot 11285 Dell Rd.is 4 wheel drive access with a concreat dam that held 550,000 Gallons of water for the Hacienda Water District. This
Discover 6750 River Road, a well established vineyard in the esteemed Russian River Valley AVA. This 75-acre property features 13+/- acres of Pinot Noir and 9+/- acres of Chardonnay, in well-drained Laniger loam soils. The gently sloped terrain offers ideal sun exposure, while the region's cool climate and morning fog ensure grapes with balanced acidity and exceptional terroir. This is your
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