About Jenner Inn
The convergence of the Russian River and the Pacific Ocean in Jenner in a setting of exceptional natural beauty and recreational opportunities. It has enraptured its residents and visitors for 150 years.
Jenner’s history began in 1867 when John Rule purchased 4,000 acres of the California coast as part of a land grant from the Spanish. Charles Jenner, a writer, asked Rule for permission to build a home on the land. The spot where Jenner built became known as Jenner Gulch, which is currently the main hub of our little town.
After building his home in 1904, Mr. Jenner next built a lumber mill to supply timbers for both Santa Rosa and San Francisco. A hotel and post office were built shortly thereafter. The Mill was a major source of lumber used in the rebuilding of San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake.
An 1877 depiction of Rule Ranch
Photo: Sonoma Heritage Collection
The mill closed around 1914, but the Jenner Gulch outpost began developing into a village that grew to 50 buildings, including a schoolhouse. There are still Sonoma County residents who once attended the one room schoolhouse.
In 1948, a fire destroyed the original hotel along with its pool hall and post office. Swedish ship builders rebuilt the main building and gave us the iconic Jenner by the Sea building we have today. Originally, this building served as a hotel office, post office, tavern, store, and even a fish house.
Guest can still see mail boxes in the hotel office lobby. Hotel rooms were comprised of adjacent dwellings formerly used to house mill workers. The Inn continues to be a popular resting spot for fisherman and abalone divers returning from the rocky coves north of Jenner.
Jenner Inn Today
Jenner’s natural beauty, recreational opportunities and abundant wild life are the best parts of being located on the Sonoma Coast. Please note that like most rural coastal towns, cell phone and internet service is spotty. Not all of our hotel rooms have a satellite TV. Please see room details if a TV is important to you. Guests are always welcome to use the office land line during office hours (9 A.M. to 8 P.M.). Verizon cell service adjacent to the office is generally available, but not entirely dependable. The Rosewater unit is the only room that has a land line in the room. Though we are located next door to the Bay Area, Jenner is truly a rural community and “unhooked” (Jenner has a population of 107 people). For many being “unhooked” is another appeal of this romantic, beautiful, nearby location. Take a break from TV stars and watch the ones in the night sky.
Please ask our front desk staff about walks, hikes and other recreational opportunities. The front desk is familiar with the options and would be pleased to recommend an activity.
Accommodations include a continental breakfast. Many of our rooms are pet friendly. Please call.
Amenities
Bar
Restaurant
Smoke-Free Property
Accessible Facilities
Garden
Daily House Keeping
Free Private Parking
Meeting/Banquet Facilities
Heating
Smoke Detectors
COVID-19 Related Precautions
Safety features
- Hand sanitizer in rooms and common areas
- Shared stationery (e.g. printed menus, magazines, pens) removed
- Staff follow all safety protocols as directed by local authorities
Food & Drink Safety
- Breakfast to-go containers
- All plates, cutlery, glasses, and other tableware sanitized
- Physical distancing in dining areas
Physical Distancing
- Cashless payment available
- Screens or physical barriers between staff and guests in appropriate areas
Cleanliness & Disinfection
- Guests have the option to cancel accommodation cleaning services
- Guest accommodation disinfected between stays
- Linens, towels, and laundry washed in accordance with local authority guidelines
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