Jenner

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
The most direct route by car, from the south (San Francisco) is Highway 101 north to Highway 116 West, in Cotati. Drive 116 west (and north) 9 miles to Sebastopol; turn left on Bodega Highway. When you reach Highway 1, turn (right) north to Jenner, which is very close.

Alternatively, from 101, take River Road (north of Santa Rosa) west until you reach Highway 1, then turn north.

Do

 * Explore the coast. Drive north or south on Hwy 1, and you will find many trails and 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, a shellfish prized as a delicacy. Be sure to familiarise yourself with the California abalone regulations, including a minimum size limit of 7 inches, and prohibition of using scuba gear when diving for abalone.
 * Scuba dive. Note: Jenner is just outside of the notorious "Red Triangle", an area where swimmers encounter great white sharks more frequently, 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.

Sleep

 * A plus (or minus) is that there is no wifi or cell phone reception here.
 * A plus (or minus) is that there is no wifi or cell phone reception here.

Go next

 * Fort Ross – off Hwy 101. Original and reconstructed buildings of the southernmost Russian settlement from the early 1800s. (Three miles north of Fort Ross is Timber Cove Resort, an upscale place to stay on the coast.)

From Jenner, escape north on Highway 1 as it winds its way up along Russian Gulch Beach, Fort Ross (where Russia maintained a trading outpost and fort in the early 19th century), Kruse Rhododendron State Park, Gualala, and points beyond. The road is curvy and often runs with no guard rails high above the rocky coast&mdash;not for the faint-hearted or those prone to car sickness.

Wineries abound elsewhere in the Russian River area and Napa Valley.