Fort Ross State Historic Park

Must see for anyone interested in California history. Who knew the Russians made it this far south? The kids LOVED it and it’s a great hands-​on learning. The gift shop had an amazing selection of local nature and historical books. A very unique experience!

We always come here in May. What a nice park, great place to have a picnic, bbq, or parties below.
There is a Fort, a beach, and a cover to dive for abalone.
They are fixing up the trails for a better hiking experience from the main lodge area to the fort, picnic, and other parts of the fort ross area.
Nice place, great close area for families and friends to gather.

1. The museum and the fort are very well maintained.
2. The reconstruction is very gentle and as many details as possible are kept intact.
3. The administration has a very respectful attitude to the family and house of the last Russian governor of the fort (this is much appreciated by the Russian visitors).
4. We were a group of 6, of them 2 young kids. Hank gave us a great bilingual tour, kept young and old interested and informed, was able to show us and tell us about the details we wouldn’t’ otherwise notice or have time to explore. Hank was very patient spent several hours with us. We absolutely recommend a paid tour over an unguided visit, you get so much more out of your visit! Enjoy!

Incredible place, the views are beautiful and the restoration of the historical buildings are great. So much information is provided here. Such a big part of the history of Sonoma County!

The Cold War is over. The People of the USA and Russia can be friends. Most people never learned of Russians in California. Go to Fort Ross and learn about the Russian settlement in California. You look at a map and think, «That is a lot of driving to get there.» Yes, it is. Don’t be lazy. Get up early and go. You could make a visit part of a weekend trip. Fort Ross is in a beatiful area, you will enjoy the ride. The buildings have been restored or well maintained. It is a large park and lots of trails for walking. California has historic ties to Russia. Perhaps after the upcoming bankruptcy and collapse of the USA, California and Alaska could form an alliance with Russia.

we stopped on the way home from gualala and the park ranger at the gate welcomed us and informed us that a tour was going to start in 10 minutes! We took the trail to the fort and the docent gave an most awesome presentation on the history of fort ross. this is such a local treasure and has visitors from all over the world. I actually stayed here overnite with both of my kids on a school historical trip… we didn’t actually sleep much since we had to do nitetime sentry duty… i was memorable! i encourage all who travel through this area to take the time and tour this historical park…

Fort Ross is a historical site that carries so much California history. I took my parents with me and we purchased a private tour. Our tour guide Hank was amazing and made the experience very memorable. Not only was he knowledgable, but he speaks fluent Russian which only added to the authenticity of the tour. The site itself is beautiful and is a must for any history buff or Sonoma county resident. I would highly recommend packing a lunch and taking a full day to enjoy all Fort Ross has to offer.

VERY cool spot! I always love a good open air museum and Fort Ross doesn’t disappoint. There is a lot of good Russian history here. The buildings are lovingly preserved. People are often on hand to offer further information about the site and its history. Also, it’s great for walking trails and has a great beach adjacent to the site. Highly recommended for a nice trip!

My wife and I decided to take a day off from drinking while wine tasting in Sonoma, so we decided to check out Fort Ross, which was Russia’s southernmost fort in the Americas. We were lucky enough to catch one of the guided tours, which was super informative. It’s not really a big place, and one can probably see everything in about an hour, but for $ 8 it is a bargain. Overall, we had a really good time, and definitely recommend it if you are in the area and like history. One warning: you have to take a particularly windy road for about 20 minutes to reach the fort, which can be problematic if you get motion sickness (like my wife).

My kids learned about Fort Ross during their 4^th grade CA history. I don’t remember learning about this Russian settlement, but that was a long time ago for me. So you pay $ 8/​car to park and that pass can be used at any CA state park for the remainder of the day.
Most of the people working here are Russian. Every visitor we encountered was Russian. Talk about an authentic experience! There was a nice visitor center and then you take a short walk to the fort. They give you a map and everything is self guided. Inside the map is a description of each building. Only 1 building is an original, all the others have been replicated. There was a Russian woman who taught my children to do basket weaving which they found interesting and enjoyable.
Overall, we stayed about 2 hours.

I grew up in California and have been to the ruins many times — in those days it was a grassy field with dilapidated buildings with nothing to see. Those were the days of Khrushchev and there was no joy when my mother would say, «Look boys! The Russians use to live here!»… and my father would drive on by with a beer in his hand at the wheel. There was nothing to see. (In those days, it was not only okay to drink and drive — but a normal practice.) I was quite surprised and happy to see the place has been restored!
Why is this place unique? Read the free book: An Illustrated History of Sonoma County (1889)
and you will appreciate the signifance of this place in history. If you are Russian, you should be genuinely proud of the accomplishments of the Russians to organize and establish themselves. According to the history account, no one wanted them around but they couldn’t remove them because they had cannon up the ying yang — but they were valued by early Californians because they had the craftsmen to build tools and buildings that was not readily available at that time… so they were grudgingly accepted. The story and politics of the Russians at that time is quite interesting if one wants to invest the time to read it. It’s nice they finally decided to go away… otherwise I’d probably have to learn Russian and I’m not good at languages.
There is a tall lanky Russian docent there — and guide material written in Russian. It’s kind of nice to hear the Russian language at Fort Ross to honor the past with the present. I brought my own Russian along though. It was special to see the natural sense of pride of her past and the spontaneous surprise to see the small details of the restoration which she appreciated. My favorite was the huge Russian-​style kitchen stove which I only heard described. Those stoves were made of brick and featured a place at the top where little kids could sleep and stay warm.
Last weekend of July — big doings every year with Russians there to celebrate the historic spot with original costumes, song, food and dance.
This place is also a beautiful costal spot with spacious views. As others have written — bring food and drink. You will not want to leave.

This place feels a world away from the San Francisco bay area. I’ve been hiking and relaxing here for 7 plus years now. The northern coast/​red woods of California have always been my favorite part of the California coast… I visit a few times a year, and sometimes stay in gualala. There are never too many people here (love it) and the views are definitely something to see. Coming here is an escape from everything. You would really have to visit to fully understand how great this place is. The fresh air is always good, the views amazing, peaceful, and a quick get away from the hustle and bustle of cars and people.
There is hiking, an actual fort, a recently added windmill, and even a beach :)

Fort Ross State Historic Park is an underrated California state park. It’s a rigorous drive to get there– the last dozen miles from Jenner requires Zen-​like focus (and gallons of energy drinks/​caffeine, don’t be deceived by wineries&Korbel sparkling wine on the way) It’s one of those «big risks, big rewards» kind of places. A spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean. Getting to walk in the sole surviving example of Russian colonial architecture in the continental US. There are beds one can rest on upstairs in the Kuskov House (they understand it’s a tough drive, no matter what direction).
What has improved–
1)They have restored the warehouse
2)The Rotchev House, the sole example of Russian colonial architecture in the continental US, is fully restored
3)The re-​created windmill
4)Better explanatory signage (in Russian&English)
5)Improved&cleaner picnic areas
6)They carry snacks (mostly Russian ones) in the souvenir shop
Fort Ross was built in 1812– the same year as Russia’s pivotal defeat of Napoleon. When the rest of the coast is foggy&it’s cloudy inland… Fort Ross is warm&sunny, with a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean. It’s the sole Russian settlement in the «lower 48» (as Alaskans call the continental US), so it has historic value. One might not be able to go to Sochi for the Olympics, but one can enjoy a taste of Russia in the US. It’s the only state park with Russian&English signage (most of the time, the other language is Spanish, such as at Mission San Juan Bautista, also on the San Andreas Fault&also established in 1812) Since it’s on the San Andreas Fault, one can feel the earth move. It’s that amazing a place.

Fort Ross is located about 11 miles north of Jenner, along Highway 1. Although that doesn’t seem far, plan on at least 30 minutes to wind your way up the coast from there. The complex of buildings themselves and the visitor center close at 4:30, so plan accordingly and allow for at least an hour or more to visit.
Parking is $ 8, cash per, car and you’ll see the Visitor’s Center right by the lot. It’s actually quite interesting to walk through there and read the history panels, see the displays and learn a bit more about the history and culture of the region. The walk down to the fort compound itself is short (¼ mile or less) but it’s a lovely stroll through some eucalyptus shaded paths. The buildings themselves were quite interesting and offer an educational glimpse into life back in the day. There is a schoolhouse, living quarters, barn buildings and more which have plaques describing the use and purpose for each building. I believe at certain days/​times, they also have some demonstrations or reinactments which would be educational for you or the kiddies as well.
As an added bonus you have gorgeous coastal views. We decided to take the short walk down to Sandy Cove for a closer glimpse at the beach. I’ve heard there is plenty of exploring and tide pool action but it was getting late in the day so we missed out on this visit. We also walked part of the way towards the Fort Ross cemetery, however, we weren’t quite sure how far away it was and after a while, just wondered if the trek was worth it and turned back.
Definitely worth a stop if you’re going to tack this activity on to a day along the Sonoma Coast. We had spent some time earlier in Duncan Mills, then enjoyed the drive to Jenner and then up to Fort Ross, winding back down through Bodega Bay on the return trip. It was all in all a lovely day and I’m glad we decided to trek the additional miles up to the Fort. Well run by the State Park system and very well maintained. Highly recommend you make this a part of any Northern California «stay-​cation» plans. Check posted hours on their website, as I do believe they close on certain weekdays. Enjoy!

Our last day in the area, had a great breakfast at Estero Café in Valley Ford, then continued to Fort Ross before a late lunch in Bodega Bay at Fisherman’s Cove. As the driver up Highway 1 through Jenner to Fort Ross, best believe those Cattle Crossing signs, my friends. These must be the happiest of the California cows, with ethereal ocean views above the clouds. The cliffs were literally breathtaking… especially when we turned a corner and a big black cow was standing in our lane! Had to wait to pass, and the rest of the drive definitely took lots of concentration and focus (and reassurance for the passengers). Arriving at the fort, paid for parking in cash, and walked through the museum first. The church bell, commandants quarters, stockade, cannons, blockhouse, and houses were all great walkthroughs (nothing against Sutter’s Fort in Sacramento, but Fort Ross was really well done too). My favorite was the volunteer who taught us how to throw a Native American spearlike arrow weapon, almost like a javelin. The wreck of the S.S. Pomona supposedly is marked by a buoy but walking down to Fort Ross Cove we weren’t able to spot it. We didn’t make it to the cemetery but the windmill was a great end of the self tour. The highway drive on the way back to Bodega was equally scary: a truck hauling timber ahead of us felt like a «Final Destination» moment; thank goodness for turnouts.

Tiny little historic park with just a few buildings to walk through. However, super interesting to learn about the original Russian settlement that was here. Very informative museum that only takes 10 – 20 minutes. Walk down to the Fort just down the path and spend another 10 – 20 minutes walking around. Nice cove below where they used to bring in kayaks full of goods but is now just used by sunbathers.
Not worth driving here just to see Fort Ross but if you’re in the area definitely stop by.

Driving up the coast and had to make a stop. I had never been here and enjoyed going through the buildings and checking out the mini museum at the gift shop. The rain didn’t stop us one bit.
Another place of historical significance, and another enjoyable tour.

Explore history on California’s coast! I actually had a really great time here — it was kind of an amazing place to spark the imagination as you learned the history and then wandered the grounds reliving it in your mind.
Here’s the order I’d recommend doing things:
1. BRING CASH for parking — And you might want to have exact change just in case. We were the first ones here (because we’re dorks) and had no cash except for a $ 50 bill (cause we’re ballers! bwahaha). We were turned away and had to drive a few miles to get change.
2. Head into the Visitor’s Center and watch the movie first (it provides context for everything else).
3. Peruse the little museum and take in the artifacts and timeline.
4. Wander the grounds and explore the fort! There’s a presentation and guided tour around 12pm which I also recommend.
5. Walk down to the beach and up the small path to the graveyard — it’s not marked, but you’ll see it if you’re looking. There’s no other way to get to the graveyard, and it’s worth checking out!
6. Walk back along the road and check out the houses built after the fort.
Not a lot of places to grab lunch nearby, we drove south to Bodega Bay and ate at the seafood place (which was awesome).

Fort Ross State Historic Park is well worth the journey. Indeed, the journey itself is part of the fun! Plan on an all day outing, the drive from Petaluma will take 1.5 or so hours, don’t stress, drive carefully and stop often to take in any sites and breathe the country air!
The Fort itself is not huge and has only a handful of small buildings, the visitor center is bigger than all of the original enclosed structures combined and has the usual cool displays depicting the local history. There are extensive grounds surrounding the Fort and plenty of walking trails including walks along the headlands and cliffs. You can spend a leisurely two or three hours touring the visitor center, Fort and the grounds.
There are several special annual events here which you may want to try to attend including the harvest festival in October and the Russian Festival in February. You may (or may not!) want to make your visit coincide with one of these events if you want more excitement and more company.
We came here with our teens and everyone had a fun and relaxing time. As with any day trip bring snacks, plenty of water, layered clothes, comfortable shoes, and a camera! There is not a lot else around the park shopping wise, so be prepared. Go and have fun with nature and history!

The week after Christmas, I was driving along Highway 1 in a heavy rainstorm that was threatening to flood the roads: not the best time to visit Fort Ross. In the spring, when the lawn in front of the main structure turns into a bright green carpet, the entire fort looks out majestically toward the Pacific Ocean. Many of the buildings at Fort Ross have been reconstructed but they all serve to provide an unusual visitor experience.
I suppose not many people make it to this section of Highway 1 but the opportunity to spend a fews hours here shouldn’t be overlooked. Fort Ross, as beautiful as it is, must surely seem like an oddity even in California. A Russian settlement from the mid-​1800s that served as a base for northern Pacific trade: it must have been a bustling place. Now, it’s quite sublime when rainstorms aren’t threatening to wash the entire coast into the sea.