Russian River
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Across the street is Club Yamagata, a space that's gone through a few incarnations over the years and was known until recently as Liquid Sky. It opened in June 2007 as a hip, mixed gay/straight lounge serving everything from fancy sake-infused cocktails to green teas, smoothies, and appetizers. The Asian-themed spot offers a departure from Guerneville's somewhat predictable scene. Another good bet is the Triple R Bar at the Russian River Resort, which is home to a pool bar, video lounge, and piano cabaret. The live entertainment and several chatty bartenders are sure to keep everybody's spirits up.

The Russian River has a number of gay-popular accommodations, the most romantic being the posh yet unpretentious Applewood Inn and Restaurant, which is a few minutes' drive south of downtown Guerneville. Half of the elegant rooms are in the main 1922 Mission Revival house; the others are in a newer building done in the same style. All are loaded with antiques and have European down comforters, and many have hot tubs and fireplaces. Applewood also contains the best restaurant in the area, serving such stellar Mediterranean-influenced victuals as braised rabbit with potato gnocchi, bacon, and English peas.

Recently purchased by helpful and enthusiastic couple Dana Murphy and Brian Siewert, the former Ridenhour Inn received a top-to-bottom makeover in 2006 and has emerged as the dapper Sonoma Orchid. This sunny yellow farmhouse set high on a bluff along River Road (very near the Westside Road wineries) has a hot tub in back, six guest rooms in the main house, and four more contemporary and private units in a separate cottage (some of these have fireplaces). Welcoming of kids as well as pets, the Sonoma Orchid is nonetheless a peaceful, romantic hideaway - a terrific addition to the Russian River's gay-friendly lodging landscape.

Other gay-popular accommodations of note include the long-running Russian River Resort (aka the Triple R), a highly social spot with clean and comfy motel-style rooms that received a top-notch makeover in 2006. A rustic but neatly maintained compound of 1920s cottages, the pet-friendy Fern Grove is another highly recommended establishment - many of the knotty-pine units have fireplaces.

You don't often find a predominantly gay resort owned by a straight couple, but the reasonably priced, beautifully situated Highlands Resort is just that. Friendly innkeepers Ken and Lynette, who know all there is to know about the region, operate this rambling 3-acre spread tucked beneath the boughs of towering redwood trees. Accommodations are set in a series of secluded, nicely appointed cabins, many of them with fireplaces, refrigerators, and coffeemakers. It's a peaceful spot (no TVs or phones in the rooms), and nudity is permitted around the pool and hot tub. When you're truly looking to get away from it all, this compound, just a five-minute walk up the hill from downtown Guerneville, makes the perfect escape.

Andrew Collins is the author of Fodor's Gay Guide to the USA and as well as numerous other guidebooks.