Events at Fort Ross
December
Guided Fort Compound Tours are scheduled on a regular basis on weekends plus some Fridays & Mondays during the holidays.
($10 per adult, kids 10 and under free, meet at the FRSHP Visitor Center)
Private Fort Tours plus Harbor Seal Walks and Sea Lion Hikes are available upon request.
See www.fortross.org/tours or call (707) 847-3437 for more details.
Saturday, December 23
11:00 AM 1-hr Guided Fort Tour, $10 per adult, kids 10 and under free, meet in visitor center
1:00 PM 1-hr Guided Fort Tour, $10 per adult, kids 10 and under free, meet in visitor center
3:00 PM 1-hr Guided Fort Tour, $10 per adult, kids 10 and under free, meet in visitor center
Sunday, December 24
1:00 PM 1-hr Guided Fort Tour, $10 per adult, kids 10 and under free, meet in visitor center
3:00 PM 1-hr Guided Fort Tour, $10 per adult, kids 10 and under free, meet in visitor center
Tuesday, December 26
1:00 PM 1-hr Guided Fort Tour, $10 per adult, kids 10 and under free, meet in visitor center
Friday, December 29
11:00 AM 1-hr Guided Fort Tour, $10 per adult, kids 10 and under free, meet in visitor center
1:00 PM 1-hr Guided Fort Tour, $10 per adult, kids 10 and under free, meet in visitor center
3:00 PM 1-hr Guided Fort Tour, $10 per adult, kids 10 and under free, meet in visitor center
Saturday, December 30
1:00 PM 1-hr Guided Fort Tour, $10 per adult, kids 10 and under free, meet in visitor center
3:00 PM 1-hr Guided Fort Tour, $10 per adult, kids 10 and under free, meet in visitor center
Sunday, December 31
1:00 PM 1-hr Guided Fort Tour, $10 per adult, kids 10 and under free, meet in visitor center
3:00 PM 1-hr Guided Fort Tour, $10 per adult, kids 10 and under free, meet in visitor center
Monday, January 1
10:30 AM First Day Hike, Salt Point State Park, Meet at Gerstle Cove Day Use Area
2:30 PM 1-hr Guided Fort Tour plus Tea, meet at Fort Ross Visitor Center
FIRST DAY HIKE
Salt Point State Park
Monday, January 1, 2024
10:30am - 1:30pm
Gerstle Cove-Stump Beach First Day Hike: The most exciting time of the year to see the wild beauty of the Sonoma Coast is mid winter, as the waves boom to shore and the first wildflowers begin to peep up. What better way to begin the year than a bracing hike right at the water's edge and then safely view the heavy breakers rolling in.
Meet at Gerstle Cove day use parking area (restrooms available) at 10:30 am. This is a mostly level easy hike on marine terraces north all the way to Stump Beach, which is 1.2 miles each way (with optional carpool return shuttle). We will pass by the tafoni honeycomb geologic sandstone formations, and conditions allowing, will descend a short narrow steep trail and cross the stream to enjoy our bag lunches on sandy Stump Beach. After lunch, time and conditions allowing, there will be an option to hike further north, up the hill and through the woods (and up and over some downed trees) to a scenic ocean overlook plus enjoy the waterfalls at nearby Phillip's Gulch Creek. Plan for a 3+ hour round trip.
Please bring your own water, a bag lunch, layered clothing, sunscreen, headwear, hiking boots (be prepared for some possible brisk wind and seaside moisture) and if desired, optional hiking sticks, binoculars, and camera. Not recommended for kids under eight and - sorry - no dogs are permitted on Salt Point State Park trails, or on the beach. Hike is led by Fort Ross Conservancy’s Hank Birnbaum. California State Park parking fees apply. Salt Point State Park brochure & map link. Pair this hike with a 2:30pm Fort Ross Guided Tour & Tea. For more information please email hankb@fortross.org or call 707-847-3437. For rain cancellation info, please call (707) 321-5783. (Limited cell phone and wifi reception on the north Sonoma Coast.)
First Day Fort Ross Guided Tour & Tea
Fort Ross State Historic Park
Monday, January 1, 2024
2:30-4:30pm
$20/person
Learn the inside stories of Fort Ross, featuring a guided tour through the fort compound, behind locked doors. The tour will include introductions to the Kashia Pomo, Russian Era Alaska Natives, and the Ranch Era. After our 1 hr tour, let’s sit down at the samovar for a cup of hot tea, treats and discussions before you hit the road. Meet at 2:30pm at the Fort Ross Visitor Center. $20/person plus California State Park parking fees apply. Tour led by Fort Ross Conservancy’s bilingual (English and/or Russian) guide Hank Birnbaum. Rain or shine! For more information please visit these Fort Ross Conservancy events and park map links, email hankb@fortross.org or call (707) 847-3437.