The Russian River from the Guerneville area out to the Pacific Coast is a world famous recreation area.  And for as long as anyone can remember “going up to the River” has been a popular way for people in the Bay Area to take vacations,  whether for a day trip, a weekend at a resort or a whole summer in the family cabin. When the Russian River Recreation and Park District (RRRPD) was formed in March 1941 as a county recreation district, the district’s initial function was to create swimming and beach areas by installing two summer dams, one at Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville and a second dam at Vacation Beach, where the dam also provides a summer crossing.