You can also observe Penny Island Bird Sanctuary from Jenner. Eleven spectacular miles up the coast from Jenner is this old Russian Fort town and the Fort Ross State Historic Park. Along the cliffs above the sea, the old fort still stands, carefully preserved for all to see how the Russians established an entire community far from home in 1812. Humans have lived in the Fort Ross area for at least 7000 years. The region was once the domain of the Pomo Indians.
Interpretive specialists are on duty every day to give tours of the Fort.
There is also a 20 site campground, day-use areas, ocean access, an underwater park, an orchard and cemetery dating back to Russian times and the Stanley S. Spyra Memorial Redwood Grove . In the late 1800's the Sonoma Coast was a shipping center for timber from the nearby redwood forests. There were no real ports along this coast, so the lumber was loaded onto schooners from such tiny outports as Stewarts Point . Many of these small coastal towns were abandoned in the 20th Century but this tiny lumber port remains. Among the weathered old buildings is an ancient general store, whose inventory includes gasoline, oil, fishing gear, fresh produce, canned goods, car fan belts, rain gear, premium wine and beer, firewood and tourist information and souvenirs.