1. Super 8
City: Cloverdale, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (707) 894-9288, (800) 800-8000
Address: 1147 South Cloverdale Boulevard
Description: If it’s a basic, clean motel you seek, Super 8 will satisfy. Located on the south edge of town, it’s a short drive to the historic downtown. There’s a pool, whirlpool, and exercise room, and a complimentary breakfast. This 43-room motel is ideally suited for exploring Alexander Valley’s many wineries.
2. Best Western Cloverdale Inn
City: Cloverdale, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (707) 894-7500, (800) 995-9780
Address: 324 South Cloverdale Road
Description: At the Citrus Fair exit of US 101 is this attractive, clean motel with 59 standard rooms and 3 suites. You can expect the amenities Best Western is known for, along with a fitness room and generous continental breakfast. The fairgrounds and historic downtown are just a short walk away.
3. Old Crocker Inn
City: Cloverdale, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (707) 894-4000, (800) 716-2007
Address: 1126 Old Crocker Inn Road
Description: Dripping with history, this fine old Victorian was recently converted into a comfortable B&B with rooms in the main house and several outdoor cottages. Up a winding road in a secluded setting on five acres southeast of the town of Cloverdale, the inn was once the home of railroad tycoon Charles Crocker of the Central Pacific Railroad, who used the property as his summer hunting grounds. He occasionally brought along other railroad barons to enjoy a bit of the sport, as well as President Ulysses S. Grant. From the main house are wonderful views of the Russian River, vineyards, and surrounding hills. Each lodge room has a door that opens onto the main deck, which in itself is a relaxing environment. The rooms are equipped with private baths, gas fireplaces, ceiling fans, DVD/VCRs, and high-speed Internet access. The Crocker room has a magnificent carved king poster bed. My favorite is the cottage set away from the main lodge, the Canton, furnished by the owners with Chinese treasures from their travels in the Orient.
4. Vintage Towers Inn
City: Cloverdale, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (707) 894-4535, (888) 886-9377
Address: 302 North Main Street
Description: Mining executive Simon Pinchower had an unusual idea when he asked an architect to design a Queen Anne house in 1901. He wanted three towers, all built in different shapes—one round, one square, and one octagonal—so his house would be different from its neighbors. Pinchower is long gone, but his legacy has given travelers a fine way to spot the seven–guest room Vintage Towers Inn. Each of the three tower suites has its own sitting area, sleeping quarters, and private bath. There’s even a telescope in the Vintage Tower suite. The wide front veranda’s porch swing is a pleasant place to relax after a day of touring the countryside. A hearty breakfast can be expected, such as basil and artichoke frittata.
5. Cloverdale Heritage Day
City: Cloverdale, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (707) 894-4470
Address: 124 South Cloverdale Boulevard
Description: The citizens of Cloverdale close off the main boulevard of town one day each year to celebrate the memory of days past. Events include a pancake breakfast, wine tasting, cow-chip tossing (the local Boys and Girls Club collects the chips), a gold-rush foot race, and a barbecue. There’s also country music and dancing outdoors on the plaza. It’s all free except the food.
6. Cloverdale Municipal Airport
City: Cloverdale, CA
Category: Getting Here, Getting Around
Telephone: (707) 894-1895
Address: 220 Airport Road
7. Cloverdale Reveille
City: Cloverdale, CA
Category: Media
Telephone: (707) 894-3339
Address: 207 North Cloverdale Boulevard
Description: This community newspaper is published on Wednesday and covers community and school news. Records stacked away in old files indicate the Reveille was first published in 1879. Present circulation is 2,400.
8. Clover Cinemas
City: Cloverdale, CA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (707) 894-7920
Address: 121 East First Street
9. Cloverdale Koa
City: Cloverdale, CA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (707) 894-3337, (800) 368-4558
Address: 26460 River Road
Description: This 60-acre campground has 152 campsites (50 for tents), plus a swimming pool, recreation hall, store, minigolf course, stocked fishing pond, ball courts, and horseshoe pits. Located 1 mile from the Russian River on a hill overlooking the Alexander Valley, the Cloverdale KOA is open all year. There are also 14 Kamping Kabins for two (with no water or electricity). A bit pricier than most KOAs, but the location is stunning.
10. Cloverdale Memorial Pool
City: Cloverdale, CA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (707) 894-3236, (707) 545-9622
Address: 105 West First Street
11. Cloverdale Senior Multi-Purpose Center
City: Cloverdale, CA
Category: Relocation
Telephone: (707) 894-4826
Address: 311 North Main Street
Description: Weekly blood-pressure screenings, visits by an optometrist, and hearing-aid maintenance are among the services offered in Cloverdale. Line dancing is offered one day each week, and an instructor comes in to help seniors create an autobiographical record of their lives. A newsletter keeps seniors apprised of coming attractions at the center, where lunch is served every weekday.
12. Pick’S Drive-In
City: Cloverdale, CA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (707) 894-2962
Address: 117 South Cloverdale Boulevard
Description: Pick’s could have been a location in the movie American Graffiti. It serves straightforward burgers, fries, hot dogs, sodas, and milk shakes, at a small counter or on picnic tables out front. Setting their sandwiches apart from the rest is Pick’s Famous Red Relish, which is “what makes our burgers taste soooo good.” Yes, they are good. Pick’s has been in business a long time—since 1923. You can’t miss it along the boulevard; just look for the giant neon sign.