dessert
A Weekend Getaway at Dawn Ranch in Guerneville, California
Last updated on January 11th, 2025 at 03:58 pm
When you think of California, it’s easy to be drawn to the celebrity culture of LA, or the beach bum lifestyle of Malibu and Santa Monica. But there’s a different side to this sun-kissed state, a more peaceful, tranquil Californian experience to be found. I was lucky enough to enjoy a weekend stay at the pet-friendly Dawn Ranch, in the town of Guerneville, California.
Nestled at the foot of one of California’s famous redwood forests, this 22-acre ‘creative retreat’ boasts its own micro-climate and is located in a lush green landscape. Dawn Ranch is about connecting with nature, and you can choose from a variety of chalets, cottages, cabins and tents for your stay.
My one-night stay in the Sycamore Cabins (pictured above) was a truly wonderful experience (and Bagel, our beagle pup, enjoyed it too!).
If you fancy a relaxing retreat less than 90 minutes away from San Francisco, then read on to find out more about my experience!
This site contains affiliate links and was written in partnership with Dawn Ranch. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links however, this has no impact on the integrity of my reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Getting to Dawn Ranch
This rural retreat is located precisely 75 miles north of San Francisco and just under 120 miles west of Sacramento, when traveling by car. Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport is less than half an hour and is well served by American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Avelo, with flights to and from destinations including Seattle, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Dallas and Los Angeles, whilst international arrivals will most likely fly into SFO. You will need to book a transfer or hire a car from whichever airport you arrive at.
Rooms & Accommodation at Dawn Ranch
As I mentioned, there are a really wide range of accommodation options at Dawn Ranch. The Sycamore Cabins, where I stayed with my partner and my dog, are cozy, single-room wooden accommodations, with charming private verandas and ensuite bathroom.
Wood-paneled ceilings helped us to feel really snug, but there was still plenty of room inside with comfortable queen-sized beds. There’s heating and air-conditioning to cope with California’s wild weather, and no TV which really helped us to switch off and just enjoy our magical surroundings!
The Sycamore Cabins were definitely cozy in size but that’s what made it so lovely. My partner and I got to snuggle up with our pup at the end of the night and it was so romantic and peaceful.
Depending on your budget and how many people you are traveling with, there are plenty of other choices at Dawn Ranch. The chalets, such as Redwood and Meadow, are larger, with additional seating areas. Cottages are multi-room dwellings (no pets are permitted here) and there are also ‘glamping’ semi-permanent tents, with a newly renovated shared bathhouse located just steps away. The tents also come with access to private firepits, making for a wonderful outdoor staycation!
Ps. They are also known for being a luxurious wedding venue so if there are any 2025 brides out there – make sure you add Dawn Ranch to your list of possible venues!
Dawn Ranch Dining
Dawn Ranch’s onsite restaurant, The Lodge, is open for breakfast and dinner, and uses locally sourced ingredients to create a fine dining experience in a rustic setting. The breakfast menu includes a range of mouth-watering pastries and croissants, French toast, avocado toast, cinnamon buns, fresh yogurt with fruit (which is what I ordered), and more!
The waitress was also telling me that they have an onsite chef who hand bakes the pastries every morning. I am still kicking myself for not getting the chance to try one but oh well. I guess that just means I’ll have to come back which is totally fine by me!
For dinner, the choices are endless, with menu items including grass-fed steak, duck breast and a freshly grilled catch of the day. Note that in the mid-week, The Lodge operates reduced hours, and a number of restaurants, cafes and shops are located within walking distance of Dawn Ranch, in Guerneville itself.
There are several food-related experiences on offer at Dawn Ranch too. It’s possible to book a foraging excursion, which sees you hiking into the redwood forest and surrounding environment to search for ingredients, which can then be brought back to the ranch and prepared into dishes, or even cocktails!
Other experiences at Dawn Ranch
Channel your inner child
There’s no shortage of games or activities at Dawn Ranch that will make you feel like a kid again! Every night at 5:30pm, you can pick up a complimentary S’mores kit from the lobby and roast your own marshmallows by the firepits.
Even though we’re in our thirties, we still love to play games when we’re on vacation (especially with a glass or two of wine). Which is why we loved Dawn Ranch – they had so many games around the property for everyone to play including a life-size Connect 4, plastic darts, and cornhole.
Relax and recharge
The serene and peaceful environment of Dawn Ranch lends itself to wellness, and the ranch offers an array of treatments at its onsite spa. There’s a meditation garden, sauna, steam room and soaking tubs handcrafted from local redwood. And those looking to indulge in treatments can book massages, facial treatments, natural healing sessions and detoxifying baths to suit your needs and wishes.
Embracing nature
The diverse microclimate surrounding Dawn Ranch is home to wealth of biodiversity, and all guests are entitled to a complimentary birdwatching introduction on the grounds of the ranch, should they be interested. Additional birdwatching classes can then be booked on request. Binoculars are provided and you will have the chance to admire species including vibrant yellow Wilson’s warblers, hard-to-spot violet-green swallows and larger species such as the turkey vulture and the osprey – all depending on the season of your visit, of course!
Other activities include free guided tours of the Armstrong Redwoods, and paid excursions to nearby wineries, stargazing, and whale watching at the coast.
DAWN RANCH: FINAL THOUGHTS
All-in-all, Dawn Ranch provided us with a much-needed detox and break in the countryside, away from the typical hustle and bustle of San Francisco. Dawn Ranch truly has something for everyone, and we LOVED the fact that it was pet-friendly which was such a bonus perk!
Have you visited Dawn Ranch, or are you planning a trip? Let me know in the comments below!
VISITING OTHER PARTS OF CALIFORNIA?
Check out my other travel guides on California here.
LOOKING FOR TRAVEL INSPIRATION TO SOMEWHERE ELSE?
Last updated on January 11th, 2025 at 03:58 pm
When you think of California, it’s easy to be drawn to the celebrity culture of LA, or the beach bum lifestyle of Malibu and Santa Monica. But there’s a different side to this sun-kissed state, a more peaceful, tranquil Californian experience to be found. I was lucky enough to enjoy a weekend stay at the pet-friendly Dawn Ranch, in the town of Guerneville, California.
Nestled at the foot of one of California’s famous redwood forests, this 22-acre ‘creative retreat’ boasts its own micro-climate and is located in a lush green landscape. Dawn Ranch is about connecting with nature, and you can choose from a variety of chalets, cottages, cabins and tents for your stay.
My one-night stay in the Sycamore Cabins (pictured above) was a truly wonderful experience (and Bagel, our beagle pup, enjoyed it too!).
If you fancy a relaxing retreat less than 90 minutes away from San Francisco, then read on to find out more about my experience!
This site contains affiliate links and was written in partnership with Dawn Ranch. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links however, this has no impact on the integrity of my reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Getting to Dawn Ranch
This rural retreat is located precisely 75 miles north of San Francisco and just under 120 miles west of Sacramento, when traveling by car. Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport is less than half an hour and is well served by American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Avelo, with flights to and from destinations including Seattle, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Dallas and Los Angeles, whilst international arrivals will most likely fly into SFO. You will need to book a transfer or hire a car from whichever airport you arrive at.
Rooms & Accommodation at Dawn Ranch
As I mentioned, there are a really wide range of accommodation options at Dawn Ranch. The Sycamore Cabins, where I stayed with my partner and my dog, are cozy, single-room wooden accommodations, with charming private verandas and ensuite bathroom.
Wood-paneled ceilings helped us to feel really snug, but there was still plenty of room inside with comfortable queen-sized beds. There’s heating and air-conditioning to cope with California’s wild weather, and no TV which really helped us to switch off and just enjoy our magical surroundings!
The Sycamore Cabins were definitely cozy in size but that’s what made it so lovely. My partner and I got to snuggle up with our pup at the end of the night and it was so romantic and peaceful.
Depending on your budget and how many people you are traveling with, there are plenty of other choices at Dawn Ranch. The chalets, such as Redwood and Meadow, are larger, with additional seating areas. Cottages are multi-room dwellings (no pets are permitted here) and there are also ‘glamping’ semi-permanent tents, with a newly renovated shared bathhouse located just steps away. The tents also come with access to private firepits, making for a wonderful outdoor staycation!
Ps. They are also known for being a luxurious wedding venue so if there are any 2025 brides out there – make sure you add Dawn Ranch to your list of possible venues!
Dawn Ranch Dining
Dawn Ranch’s onsite restaurant, The Lodge, is open for breakfast and dinner, and uses locally sourced ingredients to create a fine dining experience in a rustic setting. The breakfast menu includes a range of mouth-watering pastries and croissants, French toast, avocado toast, cinnamon buns, fresh yogurt with fruit (which is what I ordered), and more!
The waitress was also telling me that they have an onsite chef who hand bakes the pastries every morning. I am still kicking myself for not getting the chance to try one but oh well. I guess that just means I’ll have to come back which is totally fine by me!
For dinner, the choices are endless, with menu items including grass-fed steak, duck breast and a freshly grilled catch of the day. Note that in the mid-week, The Lodge operates reduced hours, and a number of restaurants, cafes and shops are located within walking distance of Dawn Ranch, in Guerneville itself.
There are several food-related experiences on offer at Dawn Ranch too. It’s possible to book a foraging excursion, which sees you hiking into the redwood forest and surrounding environment to search for ingredients, which can then be brought back to the ranch and prepared into dishes, or even cocktails!
Other experiences at Dawn Ranch
Channel your inner child
There’s no shortage of games or activities at Dawn Ranch that will make you feel like a kid again! Every night at 5:30pm, you can pick up a complimentary S’mores kit from the lobby and roast your own marshmallows by the firepits.
Even though we’re in our thirties, we still love to play games when we’re on vacation (especially with a glass or two of wine). Which is why we loved Dawn Ranch – they had so many games around the property for everyone to play including a life-size Connect 4, plastic darts, and cornhole.
Relax and recharge
The serene and peaceful environment of Dawn Ranch lends itself to wellness, and the ranch offers an array of treatments at its onsite spa. There’s a meditation garden, sauna, steam room and soaking tubs handcrafted from local redwood. And those looking to indulge in treatments can book massages, facial treatments, natural healing sessions and detoxifying baths to suit your needs and wishes.
Embracing nature
The diverse microclimate surrounding Dawn Ranch is home to wealth of biodiversity, and all guests are entitled to a complimentary birdwatching introduction on the grounds of the ranch, should they be interested. Additional birdwatching classes can then be booked on request. Binoculars are provided and you will have the chance to admire species including vibrant yellow Wilson’s warblers, hard-to-spot violet-green swallows and larger species such as the turkey vulture and the osprey – all depending on the season of your visit, of course!
Other activities include free guided tours of the Armstrong Redwoods, and paid excursions to nearby wineries, stargazing, and whale watching at the coast.
DAWN RANCH: FINAL THOUGHTS
All-in-all, Dawn Ranch provided us with a much-needed detox and break in the countryside, away from the typical hustle and bustle of San Francisco. Dawn Ranch truly has something for everyone, and we LOVED the fact that it was pet-friendly which was such a bonus perk!
Have you visited Dawn Ranch, or are you planning a trip? Let me know in the comments below!
VISITING OTHER PARTS OF CALIFORNIA?
Check out my other travel guides on California here.
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