Ten Free Things to do in Cloverdale

Cloverdale recently came in second in “Budget Travel’s America’s Coolest Small Town” contest  (Second to Ely, MN).  Cloverdale is a little off the beaten path compared to other towns in Sonoma County, but it has a lot going for it.

It’s the heart of the Alexander Valley wine country, a scenic valley with 26 wineries and 130 grape growers . It has free live music downtown on friday evenings. It has an annual outdoor scuplture exhibit.  It boasts the first fair every year (the Citrus Fair). It has free outdoor movies in Summer. In fact, Cloverdale knows how to have frugal fun. Here’s a look at ten free or cheap things to do in Cloverdale to get your explorations started.

TEN FREE THINGS TO DO IN CLOVERDALE:

• Take a free walking tour of historic buildings. Maps available at the Cloverdale History Center at 215 North Cloverdale Blvd. While there, check out the exhibits in the historic Gould-Shaw House.
• Go tubing or kayaking on the Russian River.
• Check out FNL (Friday Night Live, the free music series in downtown Cloverdale in the summer).
• Take a picnic and a drive through the scenic Alexander Valley. (There are some great wineries along the way, but I think they all charge tasting fees of $5-$10). You can find Alexander Valley winery maps here.
• Explore the Yorty Creek Recreation area.  There’s picnicking, swimming, bank fishing, and car top boat launch. No lifeguard on duty, and no dogs allowed on the beach.
• Take the free tour at Fritz Underground Winery, 24691 Dutcher Creek Road (Saturdays and Sundays only, reservations not necessary, but recommended 707-894-3389).
• June through Sept, stroll the Friday Night Farmer’s Market, Fridays from 5:30- 7:30 pm on Broad Street at North Main (this coincides with the FNL music series).
• Visit the Cloverdale Historical Murals on the north wall of the Sciaini Building at 124 S. Cloverdale Boulevard. The Murals depict early life in Cloverdale and were painted by local artists Marge and Jim Gray, Cathy Ferris, Al Delsid, and Ed Herman.
• Head to the River Park at E. First St and Cocker Rd. for Russian River access and picnic areas.
• Check out the annual summer Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition in Cloverdale Plaza.

If you want to explore other towns in Sonoma County on the cheap, check out Ten Free Things to do in Bodega Bay, Ten Free Things to do in Sonoma, Ten Free Things to do in Santa Rosa, Ten Free Things to do in Petaluma, Ten Free Things to do in Sebastopol, Ten Free Things to do in Healdsburg,  Ten Free Things to do in Rohnert Park & Cotati, and Ten Free Things to do in Windsor. If ten free and cheap things  isn’t  nearly enough, check out 102 Things to Do in Sonoma County.