$903,243Average Value$536Average Price per Sq Ft17Homes 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
Kim Fahy,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Forestville, CA sell after 61 days on the market compared to the national average of 58 days. The median sale price for homes in Forestville, CA over the last 12 months is $617,000, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Uniquely surrounded by vineyards, redwood forest, and rolling hills, Old Vine Farms blends authentic Wine Country character with carefully restored living spaces. Set across 74.5+/-acres, this reimagined estate features a main home with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, complemented by a separate guest cottage, pool house, workshop, vineyard office, and a reimagined historic barn designed for
This 2 bedroom with 2 1/2 bath plus auxiliary space down stairs is located on three parcels approx. .45 of an acre just a short 10-minute walk to Steelhead Beach and the Russian River. It is a special Forestville property that offers the perfect combination of river lifestyle, sunshine, privacy, and natural beauty while being elevated above the flood zone. The grounds are truly extraordinary,
Tucked down a private drive on 2.5 acres, this exceptional Wine Country retreat offers stunning vineyard and mountain views, privacy, and easy access to renowned wineries, tasting rooms, hiking and biking trails, and abundant outdoor recreation. Thoughtfully designed to embrace its scenic surroundings, the 3,055 sq. ft. home features expansive windows and a wraparound deck with a hot tub,
Spanning an impressive perch in West County, this home invites you into a world of views, and modern living. Drive up through a gated, private lane, and step through the grand entrance into an open-concept living space that seamlessly integrates the living, dining, and kitchen areas, perfect for both relaxation and entertaining. The gourmet kitchen is a chef's dream, equipped with top-of-the-line
Nestled in the heart of Sonoma County’s scenic Russian River area, 11700 Oak Road in Forestville offers a rare opportunity to own a charming retreat surrounded by natural beauty. This 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom single-family home spans approximately 920 square feet and sits on an ~8,235 sq ft lot, blending rustic character with everyday functionality. Originally built in 1901, the home showcases
Uniquely surrounded by vineyards, redwood forest, and rolling hills, Old Vine Farms blends authentic Wine Country character with carefully restored living spaces. Set across 74.5+/-acres, this reimagined estate features a main home with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, complemented by a separate guest cottage, pool house, workshop, vineyard office, and a reimagined historic barn designed for
Build your dream wine country estate on nearly 12 acres in one of Sonoma County's most scenic settings. Offering a rare combination of established vineyard acreage, privacy, and sweeping views, this exceptional property captures the essence of Wine Country living. The parcel features approximately 4 acres of Pinot Noir vines, a designated homesite, gated access, mature oak woodlands, and internal
Spacious duplex retreat near the Russian River! The upper owner's unit features 3 bedrooms and 1 bath, with soaring open-beam ceilings, a light-filled great room concept, and expansive decks surrounded by mature trees for a peaceful indoor-outdoor lifestyle. The lower 1-bedroom, 1-bath unit is currently tenant-occupied and generates $1,460.70 per month in rental income. Ideally located
Two parcels ready for development on approximately 7.57 acres with electrical and water hookups already in place. Build on one parcel and retain the second parcel for future use or investment potential. Conveniently located near the Russian River, close to town, and surrounded by popular wineries and summer vacation destinations. This area is well known for its scenic beauty, outdoor recreation,
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
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.
Build your own home from scratch in beautiful west Sonoma County. This lovely Forestville neighborhood is minutes to Russian River beaches & Guerneville, and an easy drive to the Sonoma Coast, Sebastopol, and Santa Rosa. County-approved soil percolation test may allow for up to a 5-bedroom septic system. This parcel can be purchased on its own or in conjunction with 10608 Canyon Rd, an adjacent
Tucked away on a quiet road north of Sebastopol, just off Highway 116, this property offers an exceptional blend of location and potential. Enjoy the ease of being close to town while surrounded by the relaxed feel of country living, an ideal setting to bring your vision to life. Set on approximately one level acre, the property features mature trees that provide privacy and a peaceful, natural
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
Small Pet Negotiable! Recently updated flooring and newly painted! Water included, large living room, private laundry room. Private unfenced front yard area and shared patio space. Please contact West County Property Management for more information regarding our application and showing process. ; DRE 01857684
Built in 2018, this newer home is available now! Laminate flooring throughout, decent size bedrooms and beautiful upgraded bathrooms. Kitchen and living room are an open floor plan, laundry hookups are in the hall bathroom. Rear yard is smaller but still has room on deck and patio for entertainment and patio furniture. Owner is willing to consider small pets under 35lbs. Please contact West
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