For over a century, San Francisco’s creatives have flocked to Guerneville, a bohemian enclave of the Russian River Valley distinctly shaped by the city’s urban eclecticism and vibrant artistic inclinations. Encompassed in the untouched natural beauty of the region, Dawn Ranch has a storied history – having lived many lives under different names, evolving with the travelers who have called it home for a weekend or a summer.
Following devastating floods to the river valley in 2019, Dawn Ranch has once again found new life, reopening this Memorial Day weekend as Northern California’s newest wellbeing destination. Empowering guests to tap into their own creative agency through co-authored luxury experiences, the reimagined riverfront retreat cultivates an environment that encourages rejuvenation and self-discovery guided by the guest.
A love letter to Northern California’s native beauty, Dawn Ranch sprawls 22 acres that include ancient giant redwoods, including two rare Dawn Redwoods (the property’s namesake), rolling meadows, and vintage apple trees. Designed by Bridgeton Studio in collaboration with Brian Smith [Innes, Scribner’s Catskill Lodge] and Whitney Clark, who both contributed to the design of sister property, Marram Montauk, Dawn Ranch will unveil brand-new and expanded accommodations following the acquisition of neighboring resort Fern Grove, as well as a new on-site spa, saltwater pool and dining concepts from famed Argentinian restaurateur, Chef Fernando Trocca [Sucre, Orilla, Mostrador (Buenos Aires, NYC, Montauk, London)].
“We provide guests with the ability to refresh their creative toolkits with devices they may not have accessed in some time,” said Atit Jariwala, Chief Executive Officer, Bridgeton. “Through the beauty of our grounds, world class accommodations, spa, dining and experiences that let the guests freely and organically craft their stay, we hope new talents are discovered or new hobbies found.”
Upon arrival, guests will be welcomed by the quintessential flora of Northern California, a towering Redwood tree, shading the entrance to an expansive 1900s lodge that is original to the property. Refreshed and restored to its 20th century grandeur, the lodge will not only offer lounge and event space, but play host to a new restaurant concept by Chef Trocca and helmed by Chef Juliana Thorpe [Meadowood, Mugaritz, Herancia], The Lodge at Dawn Ranch. Inspired by his South American heritage, Trocca’s menus center on the concept of “the revolution of simple,” or, highlighting the profound effect time, attention and care can have on an everyday ingredient to make it shine in a dish.
Spanning breakfast, lunch and dinner, the cuisine will be vegetable-forward, combining open-fire cooking with a global flare and seasonal, local procurement, including from Dawn Ranch’s own on-site Kitchen Garden. Offerings will constantly evolve with the seasonal availability of produce, with dishes like Roasted beetroots with ricotta and pistachios, Rainbow trout a la plancha with potato cream, olive, and basil and Squid Ink Paella with a local chorizo gracing the opening menu alongside a pastry program featuring the Argentinian chipa, a naturally gluten-free cheese bread, and medialunas, a glazed take on a croissant.
The Lodge’s beverage program highlights a selection of both local Sonoma County wines and South American varieties as well as a craft beer and cocktail program offering twists on classic drinks. Sips are crafted with Northern California produced spirits, including the Hemingway: Death in the Afternoon, created with St. George Verite Absinthe from Alameda, the first American producer to make Absinthe in the USA in 100 years with champagne, and the Vineyard: French 75 made with 209 Gin from San Francisco, fresh squeezed Lemon juice and Russian River Valley Champagne from Korbel. Guests can enjoy their meals in the main dining room or al fresco on the deck overlooking the sprawling Green, Dawn Ranch’s main lawn. Featuring a bandstand with live local musicians and multiple firepits where they can enjoy evening s’mores and wine service, The Green brings lively community activations and programming to Dawn Ranch amongst the serenity of nature. Guests can also bring curated picnic baskets from The Lodge out to the Green or across other areas of the property and beyond to take a piece of Dawn Ranch with them as they explore Sonoma.
Now featuring 81 total keys, the newly renovated cottages and cabins at Dawn Ranch have been beautifully modernized, combining rustic and contemporary sensibilities. Featuring custom furnishings created in collaboration with Austin-based Oxford Street Company, the designs carry a sense of spontaneity, with pieces intended to layer amongst each other as though collected over time. Utilitarian design elements, like hardworking textiles, unlacquered brass, and built-in millwork storage, evoke a sense of creative workspaces, while soft chambray fabrics, hand-stitched quilts, and the heirloom quality custom furniture appeal to luxury indulgences. Pieces like the portable safari campaign chairs, made from solid walnut wood with tapered mortise and tenon joiner, elegantly contrast the bold forms of custom daybeds to add to the sense of eclecticism inspired by the destination.
Select rooms will also offer double-sided gas fireplaces from Ortal. Guest bathrooms feature a serene green color palette, symbolizing the idea of balance, vitality and abundance and feature hair and body care amenities from Le Labo. The bathrooms are appointed with solid unlacquered brass fixtures, including rain showers from Waterworks intended to patina over time. Room configurations range from petite one room Grove, Redwood, and Sycamore cabins to multi room Creekside and Grove cottages – and honeymoon suite, Olive’s Cottage.
Nestled behind a Japanese-inspired shade garden is The Spa at Dawn Ranch, located in a classic California-style bungalow that historically served as the owner’s living quarters. The team maintained much of the home’s original detailing, including the fully stained pine-paneled living room and red brick wood-burning fireplace. Inspired by European solariums and ancient public baths, the spa’s reception features a parlor room with a coffered skylight ceiling clad in hand-woven grass cloth textile, along with honed Bardiglio and Carrara marble flooring. Guests can enjoy a relaxing steam room, clad with earth-toned Moroccan zellige tile, as well as three treatment rooms with wood-paneled ceilings inspired by the home’s original millwork details. Outside, guests will be met by a large deck with a garden that weaves in and out of its forms, reminiscent of a floating marina, with four custom handmade Japanese Ofuro soaking tubs made from redwood, a mahogany infrared sauna with a glass ceiling, and thermostatic outdoor showers.
Featuring custom products created by Moon Canyon alongside nourishing formulas from Naturopathica, guests can expects treatments such as: a Forest Bathing Body Scrub inspired by the morning mist and featuring a warm redwood oil; ritual-driven Bath Journeys in the property’s redwood tubs, designed to target physiological and emotional needs including balance, rest and renewal through aromatherapy; and massages set near the Russian River to highlight the natural white noise. Following treatments, guests are welcome to enjoy tea in the outdoor garden, rounding out their relaxation experience. The Spa at Dawn Ranch will be open for both guest use and public access, with spa amenity passes starting at $50 for guests and $100 for amenity passes for non guests, granting access to the sauna, steam rooms and lounge.
The Orchard, home to 120-year-old fruiting trees that were once the center of Dawn Ranch’s campsites, will honor its history with a new glamping concept, reminiscent of the vintage canvas tents that could be found throughout California’s many state and national parks. Six tents will be available to book upon opening, with a new tier of luxury glamping to debut later in the summer with the addition of suite-like tents with private bathrooms. Across Fife’s Creek from the Orchard is The Boathouse at Dawn Ranch, a secluded gathering space within a clearing adjacent to Dawn Ranch’s small, private Russian River access. The Boathouse is a private event space that can also accommodate large format grilling for special events.
The resort’s on-site programming is a conscious exploration of mindfulness, designed to inspire creativity, tap into new or dormant skills and encourage movement that can reach beyond the stay. Guided by the individual’s instinct and Dawn Ranch team, guests are encouraged to explore a variety of experiences that they feel drawn to, ranging from small group creative workshops to river activities to well-being programming. A sampling of experiences include:
-
Scent making classes to inspire olfactory memories
-
Guided foraging followed by a private dining experience with your natural bounty created by the Dawn Ranch culinary team
-
A Naturalist in Residence program, offering guests the chance to engage with experts ranging across disciplines and learn more about the world around them through guided excursions and fireside chats
-
Flower Pressing workshops to create a wildflower postcard to be filled with words of encouragement, intended to be mailed to oneself upon departure from the resort
-
A riverside release ceremony timed with the lunar cycle, inviting guests to build a boat of found natural objects to set sail, and symbolically let go of emotions they wish to release
Additionally, guests will have access to a variety of amenities, including Fender Guitars and Fender Play digital music lessons, Swarovski Optiks binoculars for wildlife watching, Higher Dose(r) PEMF GO mats for relaxation and complimentary Retrospec® Cruiser Bicycles, kayaks and river tubes to explore the natural landscape.
For more information on Dawn Ranch, visit www.DawnRanch.com.
