'''Jenner''' is a very small town overlooking the mouth of the Russian River in California. What you see here is about all there is in town. It is a quiet, relaxing place. Jenner is an excellent base to explore the Russian River area: it's on the coast, close to the redwood forests (including a state reserve), and near the Russian River wine country. As with most North Coast towns, Jenner can be considerably cooler than inland; but often a ten minute drive inland will take you from cool fog and rain to sunshine.
Get in
From San Francisco: Highway 101 north to Highway 116 West in Cotati. Travel 9 miles to Sebastopol and turn left on Bodega Highway to Highway 1 north to Jenner.
Get around
See
'''Fort Ross State Historic Park''', 19005 Coast Highway One ''off Hwy 101'', Phone: ''+1 707'' 847-3286, [http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=449]. Daily 10AM-4:30PM. Original and reconstructed buildings of the southernmost Russian settlement from the early 1800s.
Do
Explore the coast. Drive north or south on Hwy 1, and you will find many trails and [http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=451,"state beaches"]. Casual swimming is discouraged because of rip currents and heavy surf. Near the mouth of the Russian River, '''Goat Rock State Beach''' has an easily accessed sandy beach, picnic tables, and restroom facilities. The beach is home to a colony of harbor seals which are fun to watch. To protect the seals, '''no dogs''' are allowed.
Dive for Abalone, or scuba dive! Jenner is just outside of the notorious [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Triangle_(Pacific_Ocean),"Red Triangle"] and it's safer to look like a seal in the water.
Explore the river estuary by kayak. Try '''Lotus Kayak Rentals''', ''near the Sea Gull gift shop'', Phone: ''+1 707'' 865-9604.
Buy
Eat
'''Rivers End''', 11048 Highway 1, Phone: ''+1 707'' 865-2484, [http://www.jennerinn.com]. F-Su. ''The'' place in Jenner with great sunsets and the best food.
'''Sizzling Tandoor''', 9960 Highway 1, Phone: ''+1 707'' 865-0625. Indian specialties. Less expensive by half.
Timber Cove Inn (info under 'Sleep') has an excellent restaurant menu; the room is made of timbers and stone, and cats lurk peacefully underfoot in the bar area.
Drink
Sleep
'''Fort Ross Lodge''', 20705 Highway One, Phone: ''+1 707'' 847-3333, [http://www.fortrosslodge.com].
'''Jenner Inn and Cottages''', Highway One, Toll free: 800-732-2377, [http://www.jennerinn.com].
'''River's End Inn''', Highway One, Phone: ''+1 707'' 865-2484, [http://www.ilovesunsets.com.
'''Salt Point Lodge''', 23255 Highway One, Toll free: 800-956-3437, [http://www.saltpointlodgebarandgrill.com].
'''Sea Ranch Resort''' is an expensive oceanfront lodge, with warm wood buildings and a good restaurant. Rooms are $235-$400.
'''Timber Cove Inn''' is a romantic oceanfront retreat with a lovely restaurant. They allow pet dogs. 21780 North Coast Hwy 1, Toll free: 800-987-8319, [http://www.timbercoveinn.com].
Get out
Wineries abound elsewhere in the Russian River area and Napa Valley.