Fort Ross

Fort Ross on the Sonoma Coast is steeped in California history, from the native tribes to Russian fur trappers (1812-41), to Spanish and Mexican ranchos. Each year the Cultural Heritage Festival celebrates these diverse peoples and their trades. Nearby Salt Point State Park, Kruse Rhododendron State Reserve, and Timber Cove promise breathtaking scenery.

Fort Ross State Historic Park provides a peek into the past, primarily with reconstructed buildings that recall the once-thriving Russian fur trading colony. The park museum provides details about the three main eras of Fort Ross — Kashaya Indian, Russian, and Spanish rancho.

Other activities along this scenic coastal region include wine tasting, beach walking, hiking, picnicking, and more.

Nearby Stillwater Cove Regional Park offers pleasant campsites with more than two miles of easy trails.

And a few miles north of Fort Ross, the Timber Cove Resort features a 93-foot obelisk sculpture by renowned artist Benny Bufano.