Guest Guide

Please review this guide carefully to best support your stay.

THANK YOU FOR NOT SMOKING OR VAPING ANYTHING ANYWHERE ON THE PROPERTY

STRICTLY NO OUTDOOR SOLID FUEL FIRES

BEFORE YOUR TRIP

  • Check-in is after 3:00pm. We highly recommend arriving during daylight hours as it's easy to get lost.

  • Packing comfy layers is also highly recommended as the weather in our area can change frequently and unexpectedly. Don’t forget your favorite cozy slippers or warm house socks and your hiking or adventure-appropriate apparel (i.e. water shoes, rash guards, swimsuits, etc).

  • Save a map of the location with readable directions, and save or print this guide, which contains important information.

  • Fill up your gas tank or power up well. Depending on your route, your last chance to get gas will be either in town in Jenner (if you’re coming from the south) or Gualala (if you’re coming from the north). These are also great places to check that you have all other information handy, such as directions.

  • Prepare for curvy, narrow roads with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring any medication or remedies that help you. Restrooms are scarce, so plan accordingly. 

  • Remember we are in a remote area, the closest full grocery store is 25 miles north in the town of Gualala. For most basic items, Fort Ross Store & Deli, (707) 847-3414, is about 2 miles south of the cabin on CA-1, and Ocean Cove Store, (707) 847-3422, is about 3 miles north of the cabin also on CA-1. We recommend you do your grocery shopping (with a cooler if possible) and plan your meals before arrival.

  • Set your phone to enable WiFi calling, and keep our WiFi log-in where you can find it easily. We are remote! Reception in this area is generally not available.

  • A unique, 4-digit access code will be provided to you on the morning of your arrival for keyless entry. This code will only work from 3:00pm on your day of arrival to 11:00am on your day of departure.

DIRECTIONS

From the South

- Take CA-1 N and exit/turn right onto Meyers Grade Road

- Continue straight for about 8.7 miles. The road name will change twice as you pass through intersections, but continue forward and do not turn off.

- You will come to a stop sign and see a fire station on your right. Turn left here onto Timber Cove Road

- In 1 mile, turn right onto Ruoff Road (the street signs in the area are wooden with white letters and blend in well with the environment, so drive slowly and track your odometer)

- In about 350 feet, turn right onto Gordon Court

- The cabin is the 2nd driveway on your left, 22087 Gordon Court

From the North

- Take CA-1 S and exit/turn left onto Timber Cove Road

- In about 1 mile, turn left onto Ruoff Road (the street signs in the area are wooden with white letters and blend in well with the environment so drive slowly and track your odometer)

- In about 350 feet, turn right onto Gordon Court

- The cabin is the 2nd driveway on your left, 22087 Gordon Court

UPON ARRIVAL

  1. The front door has 2 levers. After entering your code, both levers must be pressed down simultaneously to open the door. Once you are inside, ensure that the door is fully closed by giving it a slight push. The door will automatically lock behind you after 15 seconds. Do not unlock or lock the door using the interior buttons.

  2. Please remove your shoes inside the cabin.

  3. Head to the garage, find the water heater to the left of the white refrigerator, and set the dial to the letter “C” to ensure adequate levels of hot water during your stay.

  4. Also in the garage, find the water pump switch on the wall to your right as soon as you open the door from the house to the garage. The switch is labeled. Switch it on. We recommend that you turn it off before bedtime if you are a light sleeper (mostly applies to the primary bedroom occupants) so that you don’t hear it during the night.

  5. The wood-burning stove is a great way to keep the house nice and toasty in the cooler months. Generally, the house is very well-insulated and retains heat perfectly.

  6. Starlink high-speed internet:

    • Network: Sophie101

    • Password: Zen#24pinE

ABOUT THE CABIN & FAQ

***We have exterior cameras installed that continuously record movement and sound***

Our cabin is NOT CHILDPROOF! We are not liable for any injuries caused during your stay while ignoring this.

Because of our location, many things are out of our control. For example, the water pressure in the showers sometimes can be a little unstable, we are limited to an occupancy of 6 guests max, we are limited to 3 cars max parked in the driveway and none on the street, and outdoor solid fuel fires are strictly prohibited by local law. You may see fire rings or burned areas on the property; these are from permitted burnings which keep the property free of flammable debris.

What is that noise?

Redwood trees surround our house and they love to shed their branches, especially during periods of strong coastal winds, so you’ll often hear branches falling on our roof. Our house also shrinks and expands with temperature changes, particularly when the wood-burning stove is used. All of these sounds are normal.

Can we use the wood-burning stove?

DO NOT USE IF SMALL CHILDREN ARE PRESENT. Yes, the wood-burning stove keeps the house nice and toasty. We don’t provide firewood, so please plan ahead to bring your own. Please do not burn any wood found on the property as it can damage the stove. Here’s a video to help you get a fire started. Never leave the wood-burning stove door open and unattended. The stove and door get VERY HOT, so please always use the leather gloves provided. We do not recommend using the stove if you stay with very small children. We are not liable for any injuries or damage caused by the wood-burning stove or lighting a fire indoors during your stay.

No internet?

Should the internet go down, which happens from time to time, we have games and puzzles in the hallway closet to the left of the guest bathroom. We also have a great collection of DVD movies in the drawers under the TV. Timber Cove Resort, about 1 mile from the cabin, offers free WiFi if you absolutely must have access during an outage. Call them first to ensure they are not also affected by the outage.

How do I treat a septic system?

The cabin is on a sensitive septic system. To ensure the comfort of your stay and the natural, functional balance of the system, please do not put oils/fats or chemicals down the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room sinks, or anything other than toilet paper and human waste in the toilets. Oils and grease from cooking should be disposed of in the glass jar located under the kitchen sink.

Can we use the outdoor fire pit?

Yes. The fire pit uses propane gas as fuel (not wood, charcoal, or other solid fuels) and is therefore not included in the outdoor fire ban. Please DO NOT throw or burn anything in the pit (sticks, leaves, paper, etc). This is a fire hazard and banned by Sonoma County. We are not liable for any injuries or damage caused by the fire pit during your stay. The fire pit user manual is on the kitchen counter.

THE OUTDOORS & SAFETY

The cabin is NOT CHILDPROOF! You must understand that we are NOT liable in any way for any injuries that may occur during your stay. A creek runs along the back of the property with a very steep fall. This area is not fenced or railed. The entire lot is not fenced. Your children must be supervised at all times.

  • Due to extreme fire danger, OUTDOOR SOLID FUEL FIRES ARE PROHIBITED. Solid fuels are any solid material that burns such as wood, charcoal, paper, etc. This includes candles, which are prohibited both indoors and outdoors. 

  • We have lots of wildlife on the property and we ask that you DO NOT FEED THE WILDLIFE or leave any food outdoors. Wildcats and bears pass through our property regularly. We have provided air horns located in one of the kitchen island drawers should you encounter any wildlife you need to scare off.

  • Do not remove or disturb any tree trunks, plants, mushrooms, slugs, or other critters on our property. The Sonoma Coast is a protected area and we respect the natural environment and all living things on our land.

  • We store most of our yard games in the garage including a cornhole set.

  • No amplified music is permitted outside.

  • Do not leave any outside lights on overnight. Light pollution disrupts the natural patterns of wildlife and obscures the stars in the night sky.

GENERAL RULES & INFORMATION

  • Kitchen

    Please use coffee filters and do not wash coffee grounds down any of the sinks. Dishwasher pods are provided under the kitchen sink. You can start the cycle before your departure or just load up your dishes. Dishes should be rinsed free of food and drink. Pots, pans, and cooking knives are not to be put in the dishwasher, please wash them by hand.

  • Trash and Recycling
    Please separate trash and recycling using the dual-compartment receptacle in the kitchen. Empty your liquids and rinse containers before recycling. Extra trash bags are located under the kitchen sink.

  • Cleaning
    There is a vacuum cleaner stored in the laundry room and cleaning supplies stored under the kitchen island sink in case you need to clean up after yourself.

  • Music
    Please respect quiet hours from 9:00pm to 7:00am. A converted Bose speaker under the TV is available for you to play your favorite tunes. Sync via Bluetooth by pressing and holding the volume up + volume down buttons simultaneously until “Innexxis BC7” shows up on your list of available devices. Then select it to pair.

  • Towels
    Each guest will be provided 1 set of towels depending on the length of your stay. Please use the provided black makeup towels to remove makeup.

  • Garage
    The garage serves as our personal storage space, we ask that you refrain from spending time there or opening the roll-up garage door.

  • Liability
    The Owner will not be liable for damages except if caused by the Owner’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. Guest is only authorized to occupy the rental property for the short-term agreed to upon booking. No parties or events. No additional guests. 

CHECKOUT

  • Check-out by 11:00am.

  • Please gather only used towels and place them on the floor in the laundry room.

  • Please gather all of your bagged trash and clean recyclables and place them both in the labeled bins located in the garage.

  • We ask that you place your rinsed dishes in the dishwasher or hand wash them and leave the cabin as close to the way you found it as possible (move any furniture back to its original location, remove all opened food from the fridge and freezer, etc.)

  • Please ensure that all of the lights, the ceiling and bathroom fans, the water pump, and the kitchen stove and oven are off.

  • Please turn the water heater back down to low and the central heater back down to 62°F if you adjusted it.

  • Make sure all fires are out including the outside gas fire pit and the wood-burning stove. For complete instructions on how to turn off the fire pit and attached gas tank, please find the booklet with the printed house manual.

  • Make sure all the sliders and windows are fully closed and locked, as well as the front door.

We are honored to share our cabin with those of you who are looking to connect with nature and tap into a slower-paced life for a bit and we hope you have a magical experience.

Places to Eat + Drink

Jenner, CA

River's End Restaurant: Upscale dining. Call to make reservations or ask about just stopping by. 14.5 miles from the cabin

Coast Kitchen at the Timber Cove Resort: Excellent, high-quality, locally sourced cuisine open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Amazing bar selection as well. They also have a Tesla/EV charging station. 1 mile from the cabin

Fort Ross Winery: Sonoma County’s only tasting room along the coast in the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA (American Viticultural Area) and the closest vineyard to the ocean in the state of California. Reservations required. 7 miles from the cabin

Guerneville, CA

Boon Eat+Drink: excellent food, and a very popular woman-owned place. Please check their hours of operation. They do not take reservations. 28 miles from the cabin

Road Trip: the newest restaurant in town. Here is an article about it. 28 miles from the cabin

Pat’s International: great breakfast menu and a killer fried chicken sandwich! Vegetarian options are available. 28 miles from the cabin

Nimble & Finn's: amazing handmade organic dairy ice cream. 28 miles from the cabin

Bodega Bay, CA

Spud Point Crab Co.: A great place to stop on the way up to the cabin if you’re coming from the south. Amazing crab sandwiches and clam chowder! 26 miles from the cabin

Sea Ranch, CA

The Sea Ranch Lodge, The Dining Room: Open for dinner only. 16 miles from the cabin

Stewarts Point Store: Absolutely a place worth stopping by for a full breakfast/brunch/lunch or just a quick bite, snack, or treat. They also sell frozen high-quality meats from local ranchers when available…perfect to take back to the cabin and throw on the grill! 13 miles from the cabin

Sights to See + Things to Do

  • If you plan to stay put and relax, a nice walk in the area is Umland Circle. This is a safe, 1.6 mile, moderate (due to elevation change), paved loop walk with some views of the Pacific Ocean. Walk down the cabin driveway and make a right onto Gordon Court, then another right onto Ruoff Road. Stay to the left of the road at the fork, which will take you to a loop that goes down and back up the hill where you started. We especially enjoy this walk close to sunset.

  • If you feel like venturing out, but not too far from the cabin, we recommend the following:

    • Still Water Cove Regional Park
      This park is located 2.5 miles north of the cabin and offers more than 3 miles of trails on the rugged and scenic Sonoma Coast featuring a canyon of towering redwoods filled with ferns, rhododendrons and other riparian plants, including the swamp harebell and fringed corn lily native only to the Sonoma-Mendocino coasts. Check the website for current entry and parking fees.

    • Salt Point State Park
      This park is located 4 miles north of the cabin. Check out the pygmy forest trail which is a 3.8-mile loop that takes you through a mixed evergreen forest, a grassy prairie surrounded by pines, and lots of mushrooms and wildflowers (in season) before you reach pygmy tree territory.  Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Reserve, located within the park, is a pristine reserve containing second-growth redwood, Douglas fir, grand firs, tanoaks, and a plethora of rhododendrons. There are five miles of hiking trails through the quiet forest with a short loop trail that leads through clusters of rhododendrons. Each May these spectacular flowers burst into bloom and color the deep green of the forest with brilliant pink blossom. You can access the reserve via Hwy-1 or take the scenic back route from the cabin using Timber Cove Road to Seaview Road to Kruse Ranch Road. Most of Kruse Ranch Road is unpaved and can be a bit rough but you do not need a 4x4 vehicle for access. Just be prepared to take your time, roll the windows down, and enjoy the ride! We also highly recommend Stump Beach!

    • Jenner Headlands Preserve
      This preserve is located 13 miles south of the cabin and features stunning coastal views, wildlife viewing, and spectacular forest hiking.

    • Fort Ross State Historic Park
      Located 3.5 miles south of the cabin on scenic California Highway One, Fort Ross is surrounded by sandy beaches, panoramic coves, and redwood forests, with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Showcasing a historic Russian-era fort compound and a designated National Historic Landmark, this park offers a unique opportunity to step back in time. Russians settled on the ancestral Kashia Pomo lands called Metini and the Kashia are still a part of the community today.

  • Up for a day trip?

    • Option 1: head north and stop for a delicious brunch or freshly-baked breakfast pastries at Twofish Baking inside the Stewarts Point Store. This little gem is an all-in-one market, bakery, and eatery featuring fresh, handmade dishes, nostalgic treats, and artisanal prepared foods to-go! They are known for their sticky buns, which sell out fast, so call and order ahead if possible. After you fuel up, continue to Point Arena to check out the beautiful coastline, Point Arena Lighthouse, B Byran Preserve, and delicious locally sourced options at the Arena Market & Deli organic community co-op. On your way back, grab your last-minute necessities from the award-winning Surf Market in Gualala, support an independent book store by picking up your next read at Four-Eyed Frog Books, and check out the calendar of events at the beautiful Gualala Arts Center to find out which artists or exhibits are being featured the day you’re in town. As you continue south, don’t miss the non-denominational Sea Ranch Chapel on your way to enjoy a sunset dinner at the Sea Ranch Lodge: Dining Room.

    • Option 2: head southeast to Guerneville and enjoy breakfast or lunch at one of the many eateries (check our list of recommendations above). Then head to Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, a stunning and magical place with an easy grove loop trail including a waterfall detour. Afterwards, visit Johnson’s Beach to dip your toes in the Russian River. Alternatively, you can visit some of the beautiful wineries in the area. If you’ll have time, plan ahead to stop at Earth Seed Farm, Jenner Kayaks, or Sonoma Zipline Adventures (more details linked below) for some outdoor recreational and educational fun.

    • Option 3: head south to Bodega Bay for a day of beach hopping. Grab a crab sandwich and clam chowder from Spud Point Crab Company and head to Portuguese Beach for a picnic lunch! The beach is a beautiful sandy beach surrounded by rocky headlands. Rock fishing and surf fishing are popular there. On your way back north, check out the sleepy, adorable harbor seals at Goat Rock Beach in Jenner. Near the mouth of the Russian River, this beach is known for its scenic shoreline and easily accessible sandy beach. Picnic tables and restroom facilities are also available. For your last adventure, visit Russian Gulch Beach north of Jenner where the Russian Gulch Creek flows into the Pacific Ocean. The parking lot is just north of the Highway 1 bridge over Russian Gulch. There is a moderate hiking trail that takes you to the creek and the beach. It’s usually not crowded and offers a great freshwater swimming hole on a hot summer day, especially for kids!

Recommended Adventures

Earth Seed Farm: a 14-acre solar-powered organic permaculture farm and orchard located on the ancestral lands of the Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo Peoples. The mission of Earthseed Farm is to reconnect our communities to our more than human kin through environmental education and ecological design rooted in Afro-Indigenous Wisdom. They run a U-Pick from July to November (open to the public), and Educational Programs prioritizing people of African descent and other communities of color.

Jenner Kayaks: Booking with them helps support and fund education, research, conservation, and paid internships for working students through their Sonoma Coast Watch and Living Classrooms projects.

Sonoma Zipline Adventures: Nestled deep in the Redwood forest, this adventure spot is completely unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. We recommend making a day trip out of this combined with exploring the Russian River Valley area such as the many wineries, farms, and eateries around Guerneville and Occidental.

For other suggestions and to help create an itinerary that best suits your needs visit https://www.sonomacounty.com/