If you’re looking for things to do in Jenner, California, you’re in luck. This coastal town has just 122 people and is located at the mouth of the Russian River. Whether you’re looking for a day at the beach or an adventure on land, Jenner has it all. From Jenner Headlands Preserve to Stillwater Cove Regional Park, there are things to do in Jenner that will leave you with lasting memories.
Stillwater Cove Regional Park
Stillwater Cove Regional Park is located near the mouth of Stockhoff Creek. State Route 1 leads you right there. It has a wide variety of hiking trails that wind through a picturesque setting. It also has a pier that offers a great view of Stockhoff Creek.
If you want a beautiful spot on the northern coast of Sonoma County, check out Stillwater Cove Regional Park. The 210-acre park is a popular destination for birding, sea kayaking, and hiking. The small cove is also a popular place for launching small craft. Camping is available year-round in the park, as is a car and bike rental facility across Highway 1. It’s also possible to reserve a campsite up to a year in advance.
This beautiful park is home to more than 3 miles of hiking trails and a small beach. One of the trails, the Canyon Trail, leads to the beach, which is on the west side of Highway 1. Another trail, the Bay Trail, winds above the rocky coast and offers views of the Pacific. There’s plenty of parking at Stillwater Cove Regional Park, and accessible camping areas are available east of Highway 1.
There are twenty RV/tent camping sites at Stillwater Cove Regional Park, as well as one hiker/bicycle site. The park also offers potable water and a dump station. The restrooms are equipped with electrical outlets and have flush toilets and coin-operated showers. One downside of the park is that it’s not dog-friendly, and the water is high in E Coli bacteria, which is not good for people with weakened immune systems.
Stillwater Cove is a great place to camp if you’re looking for an affordable place to stay. Whether you’re looking for a quiet spot or a beautiful sunset, this park is worth considering. The campgrounds at Stillwater Cove Regional Park are spacious and convenient, and the campsites are not too noisy. You should bring local firewood for the campfire so that you don’t spread invasive insects.
There are also restrooms, a picnic area, and a fire pit. You can also bring your dog to the beach and explore the tide pools, where you can find jellyfish and limpet shells. The park also has hiking trails leading up to the old schoolhouse. Another hike can take you to the canyon loop, which is lush and green all year round.
Shell Beach
If you’re looking for a place to relax with a view of the ocean and a bit of geological significance, look no further than Shell Beach in Jenner, California. This sandy beach is located at the base of steep bluffs that rise from Sonoma County. The beach is part of Sonoma Coast State Park. Be sure not to confuse it with another Shell Beach, which is in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego.
From the parking lot, hikers can enjoy the scenic trail that leads down to the beach and tide pools. The beach is at the north tip of the cove, where you can admire a soaring boulder and a dense mussel bed. The beach is protected by state law and is popular with families and tourists alike.
There are plenty of things to do at Shell Beach, including kayaking, canoeing, tidepooling, and rock-hounding. However, be aware that the water in the area is very cold. Therefore, it’s not safe for swimming, boogie boarding, or kitesurfing. Also, be mindful of the presence of marine mammals, which are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Hitting or harming these creatures is punishable under California law.
The town of Jenner is a great place to go bird watching. A nearby bird watcher’s paradise is the Coastal Access trail in Bodega Bay. The park protects a stretch of coast with bluffs and offshore rocks. It is a great place to spot hundreds of species of birds. The Sonoma Coast’s coastal habitat and migratory route allow for good bird watching all year round. You’ll be able to see Bald Eagles and other large birds along the coast.
If you’re looking for a beautiful beach to explore with your family, Shell Beach in Jenner is a great place to visit. Not only is the beach beautiful, but you’ll also be able to spot mollusks and traditional seashells in the water. And you may even catch a glimpse of gray whales migrating in the nearby ocean.
Jenner Headlands Preserve
If you’re planning a visit to Sonoma County in the fall, you should make sure to make time to explore the newly opened Jenner Headlands Preserve. This 5,630-acre preserve, located just north of Jenner, is a stunning natural site. It features an abundance of wildlife and is home to several endangered species. The preserve is open to the public and is part of the larger Sonoma County Parks system.
There is a knoll on the southern end of the preserve where you can observe wildlife and birds. You can observe hawks year-round in this area, including Cooper’s hawks and red-tailed hawks. They nest in snags and tree cavities, and perch on rocky outcrops.
Goat Rock Beach is a great place to take photos of the dramatic landscape. The beach is also an ideal place for kayaking or relaxing. You can also see seals in this area. If you like hiking, you can also enjoy a day at the beach. There are many trails that run along the shoreline, so you can take advantage of your free time to explore.
If you’re a hiker, you may enjoy exploring Pole Mountain, the highest point in the area. This scenic location offers 360-degree views of the Sonoma Coast. It’s located just two miles north of Jenner, and is accessible for free. There are several hiking trails and a five-mile coastal loop trail.
Hiking is a great activity in Jenner. Several trails are available, including the Sea to Sky Trail. A moderate-rated trail, the Sea to Sky Trail is 4.4 miles round-trip with 800 feet of elevation gain. You can even rent a kayak and explore the area by kayak.
The Sea to Sky Trail is a great hiking trail, covering more than three miles from Jenner Headlands to the summit of Pole Mountain. This trail is accessible all year round and is popular for hikers. This trail is dog-friendly and offers stunning vistas. While hiking, you might see deer, badgers, and golden eagles.
If you like the outdoors, the Jenner Headlands Preserve is an ideal destination for camping. The preserve has primitive campsites within a quarter-mile of the main parking area. Many campsites feature willows overhead to provide some shade, and they are close to the large beach. Pets are not permitted due to the wildlife present, so make sure you keep that in mind when making your reservations.
Sonoma Coast State Park
When planning a trip to Jenner, California, make sure to visit the area’s beautiful beaches. The town is home to Jenner Beach and Fort Ross State Park. The latter used to be an outpost of Russian fur traders and is renowned for its beautiful Russian-style architecture.
The coastal area features a vast array of kayaking opportunities, from exploring the estuary of the Russian River to spotting Bald Eagles and Osprey. You may also see Harbor Seals and River Otters as you paddle along the coast. There are several companies that offer guided tours, including WaterTreks, Bodega Bay Surf Shop, and Fort Ross Cove.
The 4.3-mile Kortum Trail is a great place for hiking or biking. It’s part of the Sonoma County trail system and was named for Bill Kortum, a veterinarian who spearheaded the campaign to keep the coast open to the public. The trail begins in the sand and then slops down to Shell Beach. You can see harbor seals migrating across the Pacific Ocean and the beautiful Russian River from the top of the trail.
If you’re looking for a more challenging hike, there’s also Fort Ross Historical Park. Located 10 miles north of Jenner, the historical park includes buildings that have been restored. The Fort also includes the Stanley Spyra Memorial Grove, which features one of the oldest second-growth coastal redwoods in the world. The park is located on the San Andreas Fault, so it’s easy to see the remnants of the 1906 earthquake.
If you have time, you can also explore the 17-mile-long Sonoma Coast State Park. Its beaches are great for walking and tide-pooling, and you can even go abalone hunting or bird-watching. The park’s website has additional links and resources to help you explore the coast.
You can also visit Jenner’s Visitor Center, which offers information on the natural history of the town and the Russian River. The center is open on the weekends during the summer months and offers spectacular views of the Russian River.
