The Sonoma Coast is a dream destination for the outdoor enthusiast. Whether you enjoy staying on land for some hiking or bike riding, or you would rather venture out to sea to explore the coast from the other side, we have it all. Let our local staff guide you to the best places to discover when you stay at our top-rated Jenner lodging.
It is impossible to get bored with biking in Sonoma County. The terrain is so vast and varied that cyclists of all types can follow their bliss whether that means exploring a country road winding through a valley of vineyards, conquering a steep stretch of Highway 1, or pedaling up a trail into a deep forest.
If you arrive at River’s End traveling light, the first thing you’ll need is a bike. Any true cyclist wants to bring her own bike, but that’s not always reasonable. Recently, friends of River’s End have had good experiences renting demo bikes from Trek Bicycle Store Santa Rosa. The team at Trek will fit you with the right gear for comfort and performance.
If you’ve decided to rent a mountain bike and you’re ready to explore an area beloved by locals, spend some time studying the Willow Creek Trails map. The Willow Creek People Powered Park covers hundreds of acres of rugged terrain perfect for mountain biking. Trail names like “Islands in the Sky Vista Loop,” “Fern Tree and Badger Hill Trail,” and “Upper & Lower Old Barn Trails” give a sense of the human and natural history of this treasured area.
Highway 1, and the steep country roads connecting it to quaint towns scattered through the nearby hills and valleys, has become a mecca for avid cyclists. Road bikers come from all over the world to tackle the sixteen miles of King Ridge Road near the town of Monte Rio. Described by pros as both “God’s cycling theme park” and “a death march,” King Ridge is an epic ride with both eye-popping scenery and quad-popping ascents.
Perhaps the most fun day of the year for many cyclists in our area happens during the first week of October. Thousands gather for Levi’s GranFondo—a non-profit bike event perfect for families and hard-core cyclists alike. You can join professionals on the “Gran” 103-mile course that summits King Ridge. Or, you can join members of the River’s End staff and our families as we pedal along at a more leisurely pace on the “Medio” (65 mile) and “Piccolo” (32 mile) courses.
Get ready for two-and-a-half hours of heart-pounding adventure high above the redwood forest! Sonoma Canopy Tours at Alliance Redwoods will get you outside your comfort zone with seven high-flying zip lines, two sky bridges, a spiral staircase, and an exhilarating rappel. The guides help foster an experience of “re-creation” for their guests through education about the unique ecosystem of the redwoods.
Few experiences are as memorable as a sunset stroll down a long stretch of beach—on horseback. The wranglers at Chanslor Stables, a 378-acre private guest ranch and nature preserve just north of the fishing town of Bodega Bay, are happy to make an equine excursion exciting for your whole family. They’ll provide each rider with a comfortable Western saddle and a special horse for any experience level.
Golf enthusiasts visiting our area will fall in love with the Northwood Golf Club in Monte Rio. Designed by Alister MacKenzie in 1928, the 9-hole public course is a masterpiece from an era before large-scale earth moving was possible. A golf-themed trip to our area should also include a visit to The Links at Bodega Harbour. The original back nine of this Scottish style links course were designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. in 1978.
Whether you want to feel the sand in your toes or go forest bathing in the redwoods, the Sonoma Coast has it all. There are so many wonderful beaches, trails and nature areas to explore, that intrepid travelers return time after time just for the fantastic hiking in Sonoma. No matter your skill level, from novice to expert, you’re sure to find a hike that suits your needs.
Kayaking and Paddle BoardingThe perfect day for many visitors is one spent paddling on the wide and tranquil expanses of the Russian River estuary. Rent kayaks by the hour from WaterTreks, a local company owned by long-time nature enthusiast and educator Suki Waters. A guided tour from Suki and her team will provide you with a wealth of knowledge about our delicate coastal ecosystem.
And speaking of the amazing ecology of our area, the most other-worldly experience available to you during your visit is an evening on the water during the season when bioluminescent algae accumulate in the estuary. On occasional moonless nights from mid-August to early October, the entire water column glows and glitters when disturbed. Nocturnal activity of fish and seals, as well as the path of your boat, is illuminated bright yellow-green against inky darkness.
The experts at Rubicon Adventures offer Russian River Tour Charters, SUP 101 Classes, and Surf Clinics. John Hadley and Bill Mashek, Owners of Rubicon Adventures will take great care of you. Enjoy a relaxing day on the Russian River and enjoy the wildlife and birdlife. And maybe you will have the pleasure of meeting John’s pet goat, who also loves to paddleboard. If you are really lucky, you can join Arline Thomas, Rubicon’s Yoga Master for a unique yoga experience… on your paddleboard!
Fishing in the open ocean is an exhilarating adventure in any season, but especially in the late summer and fall when Chinook (King) and Coho salmon and Steelhead trout gather at the mouth of the Russian River. The town of Bodega Bay, eight miles south of River’s End, has a long history of commercial fishing and we recommend the Bodega Bay Sport Fishing Center for chartered recreational trips. As a side note, salmon runs have been robust enough in the past few years to allow for a re-opening of the commercial season, which in turn has allowed us to put locally-caught salmon on the River’s End summer menu—yum!
From mid-November to March, locals and visitors alike head out with crab pots to harvest a local delicacy—Dungeness crab. Adventurous fisherfolk enjoy the combination of crabbing and paddling offered by guided kayak fishing trips running out of Bodega Bay. Dungeness crab season overlaps with the spectacular southward migration of more than 20,000 Pacific grey whales, and many crabbing charters also serve as whale-watching expeditions.
