Benbow, a neighborhood in Rio Dell, features a variety of home styles, including large custom-built homes with expansive windows and patios, well-kept ranch-style houses, bungalows, cabins, and Mediterranean Revival style homes. The area also includes historic properties like the Julia Morgan Redwood Grove, a Tudor Revival estate now used as a wedding venue. Many homes are situated on narrow country roads surrounded by lush foliage and tall trees. Outdoor features are abundant, with the South Fork Eel River offering opportunities for swimming, salmon fishing, and kayaking. Benbow State Recreation Area provides a campground, hiking trails, and a picnic area, while the Benbow Golf Course offers a challenging 9-hole experience. Richardson Grove State Park, located a few miles south, boasts 1,800 acres of hiking trails among towering old-growth redwoods. Dining options in Benbow are limited to the Benbow Inn restaurant, with additional amenities available in nearby Garberville, including various restaurants and grocery stores. State Route 101 runs through Benbow, connecting it to Eureka, 70 miles north, and Santa Rosa, 150 miles south. The neighborhood lacks public transportation, necessitating the use of a car. For schooling, students attend Redway Elementary, Miranda Junior High, and South Fork High School, all of which have moderate ratings.
