Outdoor Music Venues You May Not Know About In The North Bay

For over 25 years, Healdsburg's Rodney Strong Vineyards has hosted an outdoor summer concert series. Concert attendees will enjoy live music amid an expansive and spectacular view of the vineyards and Russian River Valley. Guests are welcome to bring in a picnic meal, or alternatively, they may buy a bite to eat from on-site vendors or a glass of Rodney Strong wine. Previous years' performers have included such artists as Kenny Loggins, George Benson and Chris Issac.

Guerneville's Johnson's Beach and Resort is the site of the annual Russian River Jazz & Blues Festival. Now in its 40^th year, the weekend-long festival draws thousands to enjoy world-class acts while relaxing in the sun along the shore of the Russian River. Prior performers have included everyone from Taj Mahal and Bozz Scaggs to Los Lobos and B.B. King. Johnson's Beach offers a variety of accommodation options, which include tent, cabin and RV camping and rooms with private baths and kitchenettes. General admission passes for the entire weekend in September are $80.

Technically located in Petaluma, the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds and Event Center is the site of the annual Sonoma-Marin Fair. This year, the fair will run from June 22 through June 26. In addition to all the typical fair fun like carnival rides and farm animals, the Sonoma-Marin fair includes a star-studded concert series. This summer's line-up includes LeAnn Rimes and local favorite, Tower of Power. All concerts are free with a paid fair admission.

Each year, the city of Healdsburg holds a summer concert series in the town's Plaza Park. Every Tuesday night from May 31 through August 30, residents and guests alike will flock to the plaza to enjoy an alfresco evening of free live music. Many attendees pack a picnic dinner or choose to snag a bite to eat from one of the on-site food vendors. Concerts start at 6 p.m., and prior performers have included everything from jazz to Latin hip-hop.

Located in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, the town of Windsor boasts a small-town, friendly community. Each year, the town holds Summer Nights on the Green, a program that includes an entertaining mix of live music, food vendors, a farmers market and family games. Every Thursday night, concertgoers flock to the green to shop and play before the music starts at 6 p.m. Attendees are welcome to bring their own chairs and even shade canopies, which may be set up in designated areas of the green. The 2016 Summer Nights on the Green season will run from June 9 until September 1.