Fort Ross

Very cool place to learn about early Russian colonization of early California. Museum was dated and in disarray but provided good information. The old house was very neat and the rest of the recreated buildings felt authentic even though they're not historic. Also, an evocative cemetery. Worth the trip to both if you can stomach the twisty ocean front drive.

We were here on a weekday, we didn't have to wait to get in, ticket $10. The museum area is huge, but clean and nice everywhere. The incredible atmosphere of this historical place, well-kept area and many buildings that you can enter and see the life of that time, made this experience amazing.

Great place to walk around and see both history and views. Interesting area with both open space, buildings and groves of trees sheltered from the wind. 10$ to park and that can be used at all the parks along 1 as well so very much worth it.

I love history, and while many of the buildings aren't original, it still provided a good visual of what it was like when this settlement first started. The grounds and displays were well cared for. The restrooms were clean, and the gift shop had a nice selection of local goods.

Loved the park and the bay. Found out a ton of historical data, made all picss and videos, but lost the main camera 🤣 Here is something you might be interested in.

An absolute joy to visit. Amazing historical site that is also the home of the oldest Eastern (Russian) Orthodox churches in the U.S.

Amazing old Russian fort. Such a neat piece of history that we can put our hands on. They even fire the cannon at noon. Look for fun historical days to attend

Amazing historic state park in California. The fort is a must see. You’re able to walk around freely around the park and explore. The structures are very nice and contains some nice artifacts. It’s a unique place in California if you like history. Definitely stop by and visit when you’re driving Highway 1.

A very cool historical landmark with breathtaking views. We did the self guided tour and others were enjoying a picnic. It was a really nice stop or first time through Jenner. I had no idea about the area's Russian history. I hope they don't try to come back for it!

Fort Ross is a fascinating place. We took at tour with guide Hank who was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the area's history. He's got an excellent grasp of not only the Russian narrative, but the long-time Native American inhabitants story. I highly recommend taking a tour to augment your experience. There is a museum and gift shop with great books and other materials. You can also take walks along the coast with magnificent, sweeping views.

Fort Ross is a very interesting piece of history that's well maintained and very educational. Guided tours are offered at certain times, but we just walked around on our own and read the placards telling about the the fort. Definitely a family-friendly site. There is a fee to enter, but your entry fee allows you to enter other state parks and beaches on the same day. Well worth a stop to learn the history of the Russians in the area and to see how well the buildings were put together with their dove-tailing and beautiful wood.

What a wonderful place. Great history and we were lucky to be the only people on site. Ok! Us some deer and the park rangers. I haver seen a fort in such great condition. They state of CA still putting things together but you can walk around and see the rooms, guns, powder, canons and daily things that were used. Great views from the fort over the cliff. We were so glad we found this beautiful gem. Please be kind if you go and leave a donation.

This park is pretty cool! Had a lot of fun walking around and taking in the history. Plus it has amazing views of the ocean. Only reason I docked a star is because some things were closed like the Hotel of Call Family.

Fascinating site. Everyone we met, at the entry, museum, gift shop, and especially Matt on our private guided tour, was friendly, knowledgeable, & helpful. If you make the effort to drive here, definitely sign up through the Conservancy for a private tour. $100 for 2 of us for 2 hours. Matt was an entertaining fount, if that's the right word, of knowledge, answering all our questions, explaining everything we saw, and tying the Russian presence here in with California's Spanish & Mexican past, the Anglos, even the French & English, while always being sensitive to the Fort's impact on the native Kashaya Pomo peoples, the native Alaskans that the Russians brought here, and the, unfortunately, decimated sea otter population. Wife & I understand our state's past & present so much better after our visit & especially our invaluable private tour. Thank you Fort Ross Conservancy!

Fort Ross has an incredibly rich history and I highly recommend taking their walking tour if you have an hour or more to spend (which I'd recommend doing anyways :-) ) Our host was amazing and provided us with the most detailed insights into the culture and history about this place starting with Russian settlements and it's evolution over the years. The tour ended at a point which allowed us to take the most beautiful pictures of the landscape and Pacific Ocean.

The long and winding road That leads to...Fort Ross Will never disappear I've seen that road before... It's about 12 miles north of Jenner on Hwy One. Hairpin turns, steep grades and sheer cliffs dropping to the ocean thousands of feet below (not always protected by guard rails). This drive is not for the faint of heart, but venture north and you will be rewarded with the rich history and unexpected stories of many cultures all intersecting at this location... the southernmost settlement in the Russian colonization of the North American continent. Within the stockade walls are several reconstructed Russian era (1812 to 1842) buildings and one remaining original building. Guided tours, lasting about an hour, are offered on some days (call ahead to confirm times). From the visitor center/museum, take a short walk to the fort and meet under the apple tree just inside the stockade walls. This is the best way to experience the fort, get access to some areas otherwise off limits, and learn about the wonderful history of the fort.

Last Sunday my boyfriend and I packed up our picnic basket and payed a visit to see this incredible place! Inside the museum/gift shop we learned a lot about the Russian history and I purchased some Christmas cards made by a local and some gifts as well! When it was time to take the tour, we sat on the benches overlooking the apple tree. During the tour we learned about the rich history of the church, which still does services today, the fur room, how Tea was shipped for optimum freshness and about the Calls who lived in the Rotchev House which still stands today! I would highly recommend checking out this place, located on one of the world's most scenic coastal routes, boasting incredible views of the Pacific Ocean! They offer educational programs for children, you'll learn a lot about the Russian culture and although they do not sell food, they have plenty of picnic areas throughout the State Park and it's historic landmark that came to be in 1962! We'll be back to take a tour of the windmill our next visit, which has a history of it's own!

Most excellent! Very good historical location with incredible scenery as well, when you walk into the buildings, you can definitely see the staff did the best they could to recreate the original location. There is so much interesting information not only about the how the Russians settled there, but the history of their interactions with the natives and the ownership of the area as well. The whole place is beautiful with so much to see, and it's very interesting to see modern-day representations of the original buildings and the amount of research needed to revitalize this historical place.

Wonderful Coastal Park. interesting history of Russian Settlement. Beautiful tails. Lots of Nature. Great Gift Shop.

This historic park is located in Fort Ross, Ca. It costs $8 a day and is free if you have the California State Parks pass. Fort Ross State Park is rich in history and we enjoyed walking through and learning all about this Russian settlement. The Fort Ross Colony was founded in 1812 by members of the Russian-American Company, who built it with the help of Alaskan Alutiiq natives. Once you park, you walk into the visitor center. You can grab a free pamphlet that has information and a map and check out the interpretive exhibits in the visitor's station to learn more about this place snd it's history. We exited out the back of the visitors center and followed the path over a bridge, saw the gardens, and saw the settlement that they did a great job preserving. They have buildings you can walk inside, a chapel, and lookout towers with windows and cannons for protection. From there you can walk down to the ocean and onto a beach if you would like. When you walk back, you can go past the visitor center on the trail to the Old Call Ranch House and buildings that represent the ranching era that followed the Russo settlement. There are picnic tables near the parking lot if you want to have a picnic and an old windmill. I learned a lot about the history of this Russian settlement and I'm grateful that they preserved this place.

For those who remember the early Renaissance Faires of the 1960's, before they became such a big commercial production, here is yet another delightful yet modest fair. Historic Fort Ross has a Russian Festival in the month of August commemorating the Russian occupation along the California coast during the mid 1800s. Located about 20 minutes north of the tiny town of Jenner, the isolated park features a compound of reconstructed, timbered fortress walls and buildings surrounding a large, dirt parade ground. A relevant book store/gift shop is located outside the compound in between the parking lot and the actual fort. The coastal climate was thankfully mild the day we were there. The view is of the magnificently rugged California coastline graced with large groves of trees, the fog threatening to roll in even while the smells of pure ocean breezes and native plants spiced the air. The pathways are fairly smooth and able to accommodate a wheelchair. The feeling is electric. Families arrived to the large, dusty parking lot, many fully dressed in beautifully ornamented, colorful costumes of their mother country. The small children running around were all chattering in Russian. Surprising to me were the number of Russian-speaking, costumed participants who were obviously Alaskan native in appearance. Yes, the Russians and natives intermarried, their offspring were called Creoles. There was a tremendous sense of pride in their heritage and ancestors' contributions. Activities were scheduled throughout the day: demos of what life was like as a soldier, firing rifles, a cannon shooting demo, the sound of balalaikas and mandolins playing folk music, playful folk dancing where all could join in, wrestling, and other games. Pungent smells of an outdoor, open wood fire announced the authentic, homestyle Borsht Cooking Competition (we were the judges, got to taste and vote). Artisans set up small tents for selling their wares, demonstrated their skills, plus many activities were planned for entertaining the children such as doll making, basket weaving, beeswax candle making, and storytelling both in Russian and English. It is a beautiful place to linger, even if there is no fair going on. It is a reminder of a lesser known part of California history and the many cultures that had an impact on our state. To fluff out your visit, not too much further south is the well known Bodega Bay, known for its freshly shucked raw oysters, honored and slurped with gusto by many a ostreophagous gastronome. Not a bad reward after a day's trek back in history.

The place is awesome! I have visited similar places in different countries. This place has its own vibe. It's like I'm back in the past! Absolutely recommend to visit.

As they say, location is everything. It's not for nothing that people chose this spot. The day we went the sour grass (oxalis pes-caprae- oh, italic font, where art thou in this app?) was in full bloom, the winter sun low, and the sky not quite cloudless. A very nicely done park: spectacular coastal views as you drive in and walk around the grounds, a very full (and text-heavy) display at the main office, with video too, that prefaces a meandering walk through a mature eucalyptus grove, down to more views and the stockade itself. I didn't get a chance to read all of the display (with 2 small kids), but I'm hoping there was a bit about the native peoples here. It's all great that Russian influence has been so well preserved (samovars in a number of rooms), but I'd love to have learned more about the other peoples here too.

We were not planning on stopping at this park on our drive along scenic route 1, but did so at the spur of the moment. Though there is an admission fee, it cost us nothing because we had a Limited Use Golden Bear Pass. On entering we took a short trail to he visitors center and continued on to the fort where we walked the grounds. It is unfortunate due to time constraints, we were unable to take advantage of our visit, but there are plans to return.

Pleasant state historic park. We enjoyed walking around the grounds of the fort and taking in the exhibits and buildings. Wonderful ocean views.

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 (1/4 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. A small history/nature center at the visitor headquarters rounds out your visit. 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!!

Riding down Highway 1 on our way back home from Salt Point, we chanced upon this state park, but the visitor center was already closed. Fortunately, the fort was hosting a girl scouts event and the event holders graciously let us in to roam around the buildings. The restored Russian settlement is super cool to see. Supposedly there's even a grave site nearby. Inside the fort, there's a well, cannons, a church, a bedroom, the kitchen, lots of guard towers, a storage room, etc. It's like stepping back in time. And the view of the ocean is spectacular as well. It would be worth it to come back and get a real tour of the place. Who knew they would close so early.

There is really nothing to tell here. Ancient Russian settlement in the form of several buildings and a chapel behind a fence. The composition of the life of settlers is made up of authentic and sham items that are replaced in some places by modern ones. Large wooden buildings in which the settler government was located. View of the ocean opens on a small cape. In the traveler center you can watch a movie about the life of settlers, on the walls are hung posters with stories. It can be interesting for fans of history and those who have Russian ancestors. That's it.)

It goes without saying that the scenery on the drive to Fort Ross is spectacular. Highway 1 winds its way up the coast from Jenner to this fascinating historic site. If you get car sick, the drive may not be your favorite part of the trip, but the destination is worth the drive. Who knew that Russians built a fort in California???? The fort was built to protect the Russian fur trade in California and as a shipping point for grain raised in California. The idea was to ship the grain to Russian settlements in Alaska. Evidently, our ubiquitous California gophers put an end to the grain business. The fort has been restored some. The buildings are interesting. We spent a good amount of time in the store building. They have the largest collection of animal pelts I have ever seen, and you are welcome to touch them to see what the different furs feel like. I was very happy that they had an otter pelt because I wanted my boys to feel that amazing fur. No wonder everyone wanted an otter skin coat back in the day. I don't know where the park got the pelts, but I doubt the California State Park Service has an active trapping operation. For my boys, the best part of the trip was the walk down to the beach to the tide pools. If you can, time your visit for low tide. The tide pools were amazing. We saw crabs, starfish, lots of anemones, and of course mussels, barnacles, and limpets. Amazingly clean water. No swimming due to the tides, but a beautiful spot. Pro tip - bring a picnic or snacks. The store only has candy and chips, and there is nowhere close to buy food. Also, bring a jacket. Even if you come in July or August, just listen to me and bring a jacket.

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.

What an amazing place. You know I just sat there wondering, how at one time the same grounds used to be so packed with people who may look so different in the attire they wore that time. The events and everything that took place in the same spot that I stood. Imagine life rewinding itself right in front of your eyes. I had goosebumps when I touched the wood of those old houses. The church which must be filled with people in the weekend, followed by a big Sunday lunch. Iam just fascinated by all this thoughts. So when I visited there was no shows or anything, the whole place was empty but I hear on a typical day they do dress up like they used to around that time and put up shows. Also after u tour this place, you can walk down to the beach, it is nice and also from the parking lot theres a place where you can watch seals from. It's a great spot for family day out. Have fun while visiting this place.:)

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 :)

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.

Nice place to be! Was fun experiance nothing like history to explor! All the old tools and furniture, guns and buildings!

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).

A Beautiful park with great views of the ocean. I enjoyed visiting this state park during the summer. We stopped by here for about an hour in a half and I loved looking at the history of this place. The visitor center restrooms were not working so they had portable potties outside. They were sitting there in the heat. So as we were walking up to the park you got a nasty smell of poop and pee. I didn't enjoy that very much. Inside the visitor center, it was nice and cool. They sell small gifts and even had Russian candy and goodies available for purchase. The visitor center is small so we walked through it quickly reading about the history of the fort. From the visitor center down it's another walk. We walked around and went into every building. Only the Rotchev house is the original building that remains. The rest of the buildings have been stocked with furnishings to resemble the original buildings. I had a good time and the views were wonderful, but I wouldn't go back again.

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!

Really nice historic park. Great place to stop and picnic for the day. Its a beautiful setting on the coast. Very nice museum and guest center. Lots of people in era costume when we went there. Electric vehicle charging that's free, but $10 for parking. Got to charge up that was awesome. Very affordable and fun time for the family.

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.

Maritime history and colonial expansion are some topics that really pique my interest so I was more than happy to pay the $8 entrance fee to explore this wonderland. I am more familiar with Western European exploration but I was vaguely familiar with the Russian expansion onto the western United States; however, the visitor center and information placards around the site really help to set the context of the historical, social, political, and geographic significance of the Northern California coast, or as it is colloquially know Alta California. The temperament climate was a major factor in the location of this outpost coupled with animal skins/pelts for trade purposes. Established by the RAC in 1812, Fort Ross (a take on Russiya) was designed to be a base that would provide provisions to further north outposts and also a place to carry on its fur trading enterprise. At a time when skins/pelts we selling for $100 a piece (a typical years salary for a yeoman) there was a money grab to be had in the ocean; however, as history always denotes, sustainability is something to strive for and Fort Ross stands as a testament to that hegemonic worldview. Come and visit. See the architecture, learn about the labor practices and those who helped to build this industry, discover a new found interest in the Native Pomo people, take in the glorious cliffs and undulating coastline, and most of all don't forget to remember Fort Ross for posterity.

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) http://tinyurl.com/nmdrqrs 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.

My kids learned about Fort Ross during their 4th 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.

This place is so perfectly serene! I took a drive by myself and packed a picnic. It was a beautiful day! The day I went there were hardly any people which I loved! There are picnic tables outside by the windmill. You can take a short hike down the mountain which is not too steep all the way down to the beach. There were seals everywhere and plenty of great spots for meditation. I didn't do a tour of the inside of the Russian settlement because it was closed the day I went. I did get to walk around the parameters which was still very much worth the drive! There are several benches facing the edge over looking the coast. It is truly a beautiful spot to watch the sunset!

We often visit this part of the coast and LOVE this area. We have passed Fort Ross several times, and we have tried to stop once before but it was closed due to budget cuts. Well, we got lucky this time and were finally able to tour the fort. Such an unexpected and interesting history. The grounds are beautiful and have gorgeous views. Bring a lunch and take the short walk down to the 'picnic area' for a perfect (and less windy) picnic. *reviewed 03/30/2015

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.

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.

Love this park . Great little bookstore and gift shop. And now has electric car charging We always visit when driving by

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.

HIGHLY recommend the walking tour! It was a mere $5 per person, and Hank not only was a wealth of information, but he keenly answered our questions and took us into all the roped-off/locked areas to see (and in most cases, touch) everything up close. Educational and entertaining.

I'm speaking from an educator's point of view rather than a random visitor that might go here on the weekends or at an event. I've taken three classes here as part of the educational learning program that is offered to schools throughout California. Every class that I have brought here has spent two days and one night learning through living the history that took place here between 1812 and 1842 when the Russians built and worked at the fort. There has been a great shift in the curriculum offered here to include a deeper understanding of the Miwok and Pomo Kashia people that inhabited the land before as well as an acknowledgement and honoring of the Native Alaskans (Aleuts) that provided the hunting skills for the Russians to acquire the otter skin pelts. The well-rounded, multi-perspective approach provides students a deeper understanding as they're acting out characters and working the land in ways the people had when the fort was active. Our docents, which are by far the biggest contributors to the program's success, have been friendly and very knowledgeable about the history and the cultures that shared this land. They also impart incredible lessons about sustainability and restoration to our open spaces so that the massacre that happened to species may once revive in populations and restore balance to the land. Beside the history, the landscape is absolutely beautiful. Where else can one walk on rocky beaches and cliffs or explore the first windmill of California and the buildings composing the fort? On beautiful days, the water is crystal clear blue and filled with abalone shells that are to look at but not take. Sea lions have their pups here and can be heard calling to each other amongst the crashing of the waves. At night, the coyotes howl their ancient songs and the stars beacon the wanderer to understand their makeup and stories. If one has the chance, take a stroll here or enjoy the various events they have here throughout the year. It's worth the drive and the gorgeous views. You won't be disappointed. My only recommendation is wear layers that can be shed if needed. When the fog is in, it can get down to the 30s, but when the sun burns it off, it can creep up to the 70s.

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.

Over 50 years as a native Californian, I've spent many miles (and many dollars) exploring our wonderful State Parks. I know I'm so lucky to be living here, I just LOVE exploring our natural beauty! So its almost with SADNESS that I have to say we were SO turned off by the Ranger at this park today (Sunday 3/4/2018), I've NEVER encountered such a rude, mean, cold park ranger, EVER! We are on the road all the time. We often pull into campgrounds and parks we haven't been to before, pull up and ask if we can do a quick drive through, for future reference. We've found many of our favorite places this way, and we've ALWAYS had the nicest rangers, ALWAYS! Some tell us we have to be out in 10-15 minutes but say so nicely, and we understand, they must get a few jerks who are just trying to avoid the park fees. Often, there are no rangers at all and we still do a drive through, we've never parked and cheated the fees, ever. As we pulled up today, no one was at the entrance booth, there was no "we'll be right back" or "wait here" or any other sign, so we proceeded to drive through. A few yards in, a car came towards us with a woman waving frantically for us to roll down our window, of course we stopped and did so. We were greeted by the red, Scowling, angry face of a woman who looked like she wanted to hit us----no hello, no "can I help you", no greeting at all, she barked at us that we had to pay the fee. We asked if we could just do a quick drive through? Her mean sour-puss face looked as if it was going to EXPLODE! I swear she started rolling up her window and ROLLING HER EYES as she said "5 minutes" and drove off. We were dumbfounded, did that just happen?? We were almost shocked-- and within seconds of driving decided, No Thanks. We left. Immediately. Ok, is it fair for me to review this park that I barely stepped foot in? In a way, no, I'm sure its a great park...and I'm sure somewhere down the road, we'll be back to explore it. But for now, TODAY, I'm basing my rating on the HORRIBLE attitude and manner of the person working the front gate, the first person we encountered, the mood which it set for us. I can just imagine, I've talked many of our overseas family/visitors to going to many of our best parks; I shudder to think THIS WOMAN setting the tone for what is supposed to be a great visit. She should NOT be working if this is her attitude....she's basically representing our parks and she's giving it an ugly, nasty face. Yes, we all can have a bad day. And I know, some people are super sticklers for the rules; go ahead and tell me we can't drive through, maybe say it with a smile and explain why? Or just say sorry, we can't let you do this at this time, offer us a brochure or suggest something else? Like I said, ALL the park rangers we deal with are nice people, why wouldn't they be? They get to work in the prettiest areas in the world! This person was beyond that, she looked like she hated us, there was NOTHING even slightly welcoming or helpful about her. You know the expression, "Mean People Suck"?? Well, SHE sucked. MEAN PEOPLE SUCK!!!

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.

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.

Our last day in the area, had a great breakfast at Estero Cafe 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.

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!

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.