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Fort Ross State Historic Park
Category: Active Life Parks Parks [Edit]
19005 Highway 1Shoreline Highway
Jenner, CA 95450
(707) 847-3286
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
23 reviews for Fort Ross State Historic Park
23 reviews in English
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Review from Paul L.
2/27/2011 12 photos
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. -
Review from Henry Y.
7/11/2011
Apparently once a year the church in the fort is available for active worship and they also actually fire a cannon on the green, lit by one of the worshippers. We were lucky enough to show up right before that happened and it was awesome!
The fort itself is quite interesting and well kept, although one portion of it is being renovated and is cordoned off, as well as one of the paths leading to the fort. There are volunteers roaming around who offer tidbits of information.
The view from the fort is of course fantastic being right off the coast. The visitor's center offers significant historical information about the fort, little of which I knew before.
I was interested in rock climbing around there but there were no obvious boulders nor anyone who knew about it, so if you plan to do that, bring a guide book or supertopo and do your homework before you come. -
Review from Jack D.
Rocklin, CA
2/25/2011
The fort was nice, the views were spectacular.
We got a great overview of the history of the fort from one of the volunteers.
We took the long trail back to our car and were rewarded with some great views. -
Review from Glaciala A.
Providence, RI
7/10/2010
Fort Ross is totally cool, went in July 2010 and they said they're open 7 days a week during the summer. It seems that the website hours are a bit outdated, so I'd suggest calling to find out the latest opening schedule. Listened to one of the interpreters speak, and it was really interesting to learn about the history.
I'd also suggest walking down to the beach (10 minute walk), where you can see tidepools, saw a few starfish and sea urchin. The visitor's center had a lot more information than I expected, though was reminiscent of a 1990's display.
Definitely check the place out. -
Review from Anna A.
Napa, CA
4/18/2010
Fort Ross State Historic Park embodies the movie title "The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming!" (which was filmed up in Albion, in Mendocino County) This Russian outpost is as far south as the Russians got. At Fort Ross, the Russians settled along with native Alaskans. When I went there, there were tourists from Russia, speaking in their language.
The Fort is still being lovingly restored, and there's a home that's a work in progress. They try to recreate life as it was back in the 19th century. The sole disappointment is the chapel- no icons, no iconostasis (though there are PLENTY of lovely icons in the gift shop) There are no explanations, nothing attempting to recreate Russian Orthodox life. A sad contrast to Mission St. Francis Solano in Sonoma. The cemetery is an eerie place, since most of the monuments are gone.
Fort Ross is a beautiful destination. From the towers, one can see the expanse of the Pacific. A fascinating piece of Russian history on the coast. -
Review from John G.
10/25/2006
Just a quick note. I have been there also, and Andrew S. and Ed R. are right on. Definitely one of a kind, and very accurate historically.
A very unique look at early California History. Worth a drive up to see, for sure. -
Review from Eric M.
San Francisco, CA
7/2/2010
If you're heading north on CA1, this is a must-see stop. Wonderfully present and in a very beautiful spot, it is a historically rich site that is well worth visiting. The museum provides a great background history on the Russian and Spanish presence in California, and the Fort itself is very nice. Be sure to make your way over to the cemetery as well for a peaceful quite moment...it is a short hike away from the Fort, across a small valley.
The one small complaint I had was about a San Andreas Fault hike I was recommended to go on by the rangers there. The trail head was not marked...and for good reason because the trail was not even remotely maintained. It was completely overgrown, impossible to follow! Fortunately, there as another nearby trail on the other side of the road were I was able to get a very cool view of the fault and its effects on the area. -
Review from Ann L.
7/26/2009
I've been wanting to go to Fort Ross SHP for a long time and finally did on Sat 7/25/09. We went for the special event Cultural Heritage Day, the last day of July. Hwy 1 is windy & slow heading there from Bodega Bay.
Parking was $20 for this special event, I hope they can save this State Park but I'm not so sure so we had to go this year. $15 for senior - darn it should have asked V. to go with us.
We got there after 11am & parking was full in the main lot, we were directed to parking on the grass.
History of Fort Ross: From 1812-1841 Russian American Company Settlement Ross was home to a unique blend of cultural groups - Russians, Creoles, Native Alaskans, & Kashaya & Coast Miwok Native Californians.
We saw:
Volunteers wearing period pieces & Russian style clothes.
Officials Quarters - many rooms to see, guy made us copper whistle
Rotchev House - think I missed going in, oops, supposed to be a highlight!
Kuskov House - some rooms to see
Chapel - some liturgy going on inside, kinda neat. A highlight don't miss.
SE Blockhouse- you can go up to the 2nd Fl, some cannons
NW Blockhouse - you can go up to the 2nd Fl, some cannons
Saw Call Ranch House - can't go in
Sandy Cove - some activity going on, we didn't walk down to the beach
Pacific Ocean - cloudy when we went
Highlight:
Musket and cannon demonstration - firing muskets (guns) & cannons! boom. 2 shows we stayed for 1 at 12 noon.
Visitor Center - has small gift shop, there was some activities there to see & exhibits. Local Kashaya Natives were there - had some Kashaya food - acorn, huckleberry jam, piece of bread, seaweed.
Demos & activities: blacksmithing, spinning, needlework, cooking, metalwork, woodwork, ropemaking $1, candlemaking $1, etc.
Some food available: bbq & muffins, drinks - no borscht for sale - bogus.
Bathrooms available. Flush toilet at visitor center, pit toilets elsewhere. -
Review from Ed R.
San Francisco, CA
10/8/2006 3 photos
A great place to stop. Well restored fort, formerly occupied by Russian fur seal and otter hunters. Nice display with authentic orthodox chapel, Russian buildings, cannon, muskets. Check it out if you haven't seen a wooden fort.
We also had the pleasure of touring through the old home of the Call family, run by a knowledgeable volunteer who showed us turn of the century clothing, toys, the stove, dining area etc all just recently restored. -
Review from Nicole J.
San Francisco, CA
11/3/2007
We visit this place at least once a year (my boyfriend's favorite resting spot along the northern coast). There are always beautiful views waiting for us, clear skies, and plentiful parking.
The museum is thorough and updated, and the staff is chill.
As a photographer, there are opportunities to create compositions of nature, structure, and wildlife. The last time we were here, we witnessed an osprey fly by, scoop up a rodent from the field, and carry off its fresh meal in to the distance.
I think this is the nice place for families, kids, and couples to enjoy. It is a peaceful and such an open space that it never feels too crowded. -
Review from jason a.
Santa Rosa, CA
5/16/2011 4 photos
They have a nice visitor center ( before you get to the fort) which has alot of cool info of the historical aspect of the fort. Inside the fort you are doing a self tour with no guides, which I liked. They have a lot of cool relics. This place is real fun!!
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Review from eva natasha a.
Cupertino, CA
11/1/2008
That place is especially important for us people of Russian heritage!
It's beautifully restored and preserved.
We are visiting it once a year and always bring visitors here.
There is a romantic story associated with that place back in time between Russian noble guy and a very young Spanish girl.
There is even a Rock Opera about it! -
Review from Abby S.
Tracy, CA
6/9/2008 11 photos
I've never been to a fort, and I'm not much into "historic landmarks" but this was really cool! I enjoyed the museum it smelled of fresh lumber and had many interesting displays and information on the previous inhabitants.
I enjoyed the fort itself even more than the museum though! They took great pains to make it look like the original construction right down to making the walls look like they were hand hewn with an ax (but I doubt they were). The structures are impressive and quite attractive inside and out. The cannons on the lawn inside the fort were really cool! All the kidlets were having great fun playing with them.
I love the park itself also, beautiful trees & coastline. We didn't have time to go down and look but we heard TONS of sea lions down near the shore. There was a huge amount of parking available too.Listed in: Parks
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Review from Oliver Y.
Sacramento, CA
4/30/2009
Located on windy-crash-into-the-guardrails-pray-they-hold Highway 1, Fort Ross is located 11 miles north of Jenner, which is itself 11 miles north of Bodega Bay.
I'll save you the trip:
Fort Ross is a former colony of the Russian-American Corporation. They basically established this fort here to hunt sea otters. When the sea-otter population was decimated, they tried to grow food here to supply their forts in Alaska. When they found out that coastal Sonoma County wasn't good for wheat, they sold the fort to John Sutter (a la Sutter Fort in Sacramento).
I can't believe the bankrupt state of California confiscates 9.2% of our wealth to rebuild "historical" sites such as these to service middle-class yuppies in search of erudition. There's gotta be a better use for the money. -
Review from Sean C.
San Francisco, CA
8/15/2010
We stopped here on a Sunday morning to stretch our legs while on our way up the coast. The entry booth was closed so we didn't have to pay the $7/car fee. There is a nice gift shop/museum/information center and the fort is an 8 minute walk past there. The fort itself was interesting with a few buildings to walk through. We could hear sea lions but since the weather was pretty crappy and cold, we didn't checkout the beach area
Listed in: On the road
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Review from Michael G.
San Francisco, CA
3/1/2008
An absolute must see in the California State Parks category. The history at Fort Ross is abundant. Aside from the beautiful historic structures of the chapel and the Rotchev House and the several reconstructed structures, Fort Ross is known by many as a phenomenal dive site. The abalone off the coast here are abundant and legal size abs are literally everywhere. This place is a real treat to all visitors and the park staff are always so nice. Divers can be regularly seen here year round, and look for the abalone divers during the season. (April, May, June, August, September, October, November) Enjoy!
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Review from Amy E.
San Francisco, CA
11/22/2009
I thought it was really cool to learn about Russian history in California. The fort itself is very large with lots to see, and next to the gorgeous coast line. There is also an underwater park there for diving on a shipwreck - pretty neat although i don't know how to do that. Unfortunately, the park is now open just Friday - Sunday due to the state budget mess.
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Review from Joselita T.
San Pablo, CA
2/22/2009
So much to learn from this historic fort and the community that once lived here. It's such a short hike that this beautiful and historic sight is a definite must-see. Such a great view of the ocean - try your luck on catching that green flash during sunset. I heard that this is a good spot for abalone divers, too.
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Review from Corey P.
Woodland, CA
11/15/2008
Fun fun place to visit, if you like exploring historical sites. I'd also recommend taking a good car on a very twisty fun road, it will only enhance the quality of the overall experience.
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Review from Daisy S.
Austin, TX
11/8/2009
Like the view getting there.. Highway 1 is always beautiful. However, it seems so far away.. The place is windy.. there wasn't much interesting things to see. The Fort of Vancouver in Washington State is much more interesting... in my opinion.
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Review from Star B.
San Francisco, CA
6/19/2008
We stopped @ Fort Ross to picnic before heading back to the Bay. It was windy, but the sun was out & made it tolerable. Even though we didn't have a chance to view the Fort, the park was pretty & can see why the area is a "picnic favorite": ample picnic tables right in the middle of nature.
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Review from Andrew S.
Concord, CA
8/17/2005
Fort Ross is really neat, and quite unique (especially for northern California). Why? Because it's an early 19th century Russian fort. Yes, Russian. Back in the days when California belonged to Mexico, the Russians set up this outpost as part of a commercial hunting and trading company. While the Mexicans considered this to be their land and the Russians to be trespassers, the two coexisted peacefully until the Russians left in the 1840's when sea otters became scarce. Over the years the fort fell into disrepair, and as late as 1972, Highway 1 still passed right through the middle of the walled in square. After Caltrans rerouted the highway around the fort, the fort was slowly restored into its current almost pristine condition. The Fort is a great place to visit and is fun for both kids and adults (boys will especially enjoy the cannons, towers, and all of the other frontier fort stuff - and yes I know that's sexist). The park offers a very nice visitors center, guided tours of the fort, picnic facilities, and even a campground (no reservations and I haven't camped there). Oh, and remember, if you pay for admission to any of the State Parks along the Sonoma coast, you get free admission into the rest of the parks that same day (something me and my family took advantage of as we were camping up at Salt Point State Park).
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Review from Anthony Y.
San Francisco, CA
8/7/2007
cool park. i had a lot of fun checking it out.
