OVERVIEW:
Fort Ross is located on the Sonoma Coast 25 minutes north of Jenner on Highway 1. It has a rugged coastline, with a wreck of the S.S. Pomona, "Fort Ross" a historic coastal fort, miles of hiking trails and Fort Ross winery. The area is a great spot for history buffs, fishing, hiking, people who are looking to view wildlife and a winery for wine tasting.
Fort Ross Sea Lion Rocks
THINGS TO DO:
Wildlife: Fort Ross is host to harbor seals, Steller Sea Lions, and California Sea Lions.
Fishing: When in season, visitors with valid fishing licenses can fish for rockfish from the shore and from kayaks.
Scuba Diving: Certified scuba divers can explore the wreck of the S.S. Pomona, a ship that sank more than 100 years ago and now sits in approximately forty feet of water just off Fort Ross Cove. Diving for Red Abalone is open at certain places of the park's coast when in season. California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulates the abalone and other fisheries within the park.
Hiking: Walk to the Fort Ross Cemetery, the Historic Orchid or walk across the San Andreas Fault.
FORT ROSS events
Saturday, October 5th: Harvest Festival
Harvest is the time to enjoy autumn’s fresh air with friends and family, acknowledging all that the seasons provide us.
Apple and pear picking in the historic orchard.
Russian group Kedry and their families in traditional costume singing and performing seasonal games.
Juicing the apples. Store bought apple juice will be served.
Kids games, seasonal food samples.
Fort Ross Festival 2014
Photo Gallery by Cristalen
SANDY COVE BEACH
Fort Ross State Historic Park
Sandy Beach Cove lies below the fort. The principal port of the settlement remained 19 miles to the south at Port Rumiantsev (Bodega Bay). There was frequent travel and transport of goods between Sandy Beach Cove and Port Rumiantsev in Russian launches and Native Alaskan baidarkas (kayaks) and baidaras (large, open skin boats used to carry cargo and up to 15 passengers).
In the cove area below the settlement were a number of buildings including a shed for the baidarkas, a forge and blacksmith shop, tannery, cooperage (for making barrels) and a public bath (“banya”).
There was a boat shop and shipways for building ships. Farm implements and boats were sold and traded to the Spanish, and four Russian-American Company ships—three brigs and a schooner—were the first built on the California coast. The shipyard was abandoned by 1825, but smaller boats continued to be built.
Fort Ross State Historic Park Reef
Campground & Day-Use Area
19005 Coast Highway 1 Jenner, CA 95450 (707) 847-3708
Enjoy diving, fishing, hiking, surfing, tide pools, picnicking, whale watching, bird watching,
or just relaxing in the sun at this secluded cove just south of historic Fort Ross.
The Day-Use Area and campground are open from April 1 to November 30. The Reef Campground has 21 primitive campsites available
first-come, first-served. No reservations are required. For more information during our off-season, call Fort Ross
State Historic Park at (707) 847-3286.
Hiking Trails: Several interesting hiking trails are available. Your camp fee and/or day-use fee allow entry to Fort Ross State Historic Park, reachable by the bluff - top trail at the campground.
Day-Use Fees:
$6.00 per vehicle
$5.00 per vehicle for seniors
Camping Fees:
$15.00 per night with one vehicle
$13.00 per night for seniors
$6.00 per night for extra vehicles
WINE TASTING
High on the coastal ridges, the Fort Ross Vineyard produces limited quantities of Estate grown, single vineyard, cool climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinotage. Fort Ross Vineyard strives to produce wine of purity and elegance that reflects the cool maritime climate and challenging terroir of the steep Sonoma Coast Ridges. Owners, Lester and Linda Schwartz. Winemaker, Jeff Pisoni
Address: 15725 Meyers Grade Road, Jenner, California 95450 • (707) 847-3460
Website: www.fortrossvineyard.com
LODGING
Timber Cove Resort, less than 10 minutes north of Fort Ross.
Fort Ross Lodge, less than 8 minutes north of Fort Ross.
Ocean Cove Lodge, less than 10 minutes north of Fort Ross
Sea Ranch Lodge, Sea Ranch, 45 minutes north of Fort Ross.
Jenner Inn, Jenner, 25 minutes south of Fort Ross.
River's End, Jenner, 25 minutes south of Fort Ross.
Vacation Rentals:
The Blue Lotus of Jenner, Jenner, 25 minutes south of Fort Ross.
Casa Panama, Jenner, 25 minutes south of Fort Ross.
Sea Ranch Home Rentals, 45 minutes north of Fort Ross.
Sea Ranch Escape, Sea Ranch, 45 minutes north of Fort Ross.
Beach Sea Ranch Rentals, Sea Ranch, 45 minutes north of Fort Ross.
LINKS:
Plantation Farm Camp
Plantation Farm Camp offers a traditional summer camp experience on a real working farm. We work to create a fun and safe environment that encourages independence while nurturing lasting friendships.
Established in 1952, Plantation Farm Camp is a traditional, coed, overnight camp for children ages 8 to 17.
Phone: (707) 847-3494
mail: info@plantationcamp.com
34285 Kruse Ranch Road
Cazadero, CA 95421
BRIEF HISTORY
The Kashaya, the first people known to have lived in the area that is now Fort Ross, still live in this region. The local native people consider their name to be “People From the Top of the Land.” The name Kashaya, which means “expert gamblers,” was given to them by a neighboring Pomo group.
Kashaya People: Excerpted from Fort Ross © 1998 Fort Ross Interpretive Association (Fort Ross Conservancy) ISBN # 1-56540-355-X
Ross colony consisted of a multicultural, multiethnic community brought together by czarist Russia’s mercantile fur acquisition and trading enterprise, the Russian-American Company. At Ross, the community was divided into four ethnic residential areas. Upper level Russian management lived within the stockade. Ethnic Russians and Creoles (people who were the offspring of Russian/Native unions) of lower standing lived in a village of small houses with kitchen gardens. This village was located outside the stockade to the west. A Native Alaskan village of small wood or plank houses and possibly some semi-subterranean dwellings was located on the ocean bluff in front of the stockade.
Alaskan People: Excerpted from Fort Ross © 1998 Fort Ross Interpretive Association (Fort Ross Conservancy) ISBN # 1-56540-355-X
Russian Expansion: Excerpted from Fort Ross © 1998 Fort Ross Interpretive Association (Fort Ross Conservancy) ISBN # 1-56540-355-X
Ranch Era: Excerpted from Fort Ross © 1998 Fort Ross Interpretive Association (Fort Ross Conservancy) ISBN # 1-56540-355-X
You may book a private tour, given in either English or Russian, by calling Fort Ross Conservancy at 707/847-3437 or emailing us at info@fortross.org.