Spend the day at the Robert Ferguson Observatory!
If you’re leaving from one of our Guerneville Vacation Rental properties, your first stop on the scenic drive to the Observatory should be Higher Ground Coffee in downtown Guerneville, just make a left on Mill St. and walk half a block down 3rd and you’ll see the little storefront.
Higher Ground is full of local flavor, with plenty of “4:20” references and specialty drinks like a tulsi & mate tea latte (hippy speed ball anyone?). They make all espresso with care, our favorite is a not-too-sweet mocha. They’re a breath of fresh air if you’re ready for a break from the fine dining, or tourist spots.
Once you’re caffeinated you’ll drive through Santa Rosa to the observatory. You might want to stop and grab a picnic at the Santa Rosa Community Market.
While you’re there make sure to pop around the corner to The Last Record Store and check the dollar record bins- you never know what you’ll find.
Make sure to bring a water bottle and throw it in your backpack with your picnic so that you can “Hike the Solar System” by taking the Planet Walk which is true to scale model of the solar system within Sugarloaf Ridge state park!
On your way home, take a different route. Jump on highway 12 towards Sebastopol and then follow the highway 116 North. Stop in Forestville at The Backyard where you can taste some of the food being grown in the beautiful farm land you’ve been driving through.
