Located on Highway 1, twenty minutes north of Jenner and just south of the Mendocino County Line, Stillwater Cove Ranch is an ideal setting for abalone divers, kayakers and families simply needing to get away. We stay at the Dairy Barn, a bunkhouse setting with showers, wood burning stove, kitchen and dining room. There is indoor sleeping in the dinning room, however, most prefer to camp in the meadow for peace and privacy. The ranch is right across the street from the ocean with its protected coves loaded with the king of shellfish, Haliotus rufescens, the Red Abalone. The Stillwater Cove experience offers kayaking along the ruggedly carved bluffs of the Sonoma coast or the calm bay formed by the mouth of the Russian River, hiking the meadows and redwood forests of the ranch, and foraging for seafood to complement the cuisine served at our gourmet feasts. The Stillwater Cove experience is a Family Style Adventure (FSA) in which all participate in the daily activities to make something wonderful happen. It is a trip you will desire to return.

The Stillwater Cove weekend begins at noon on Friday, but we'll try to keep dinner warm for those arriving later. Our Adventure Sports Unlimited (ASU) guide will be there to make your transition to this wooded reality easy. Friday dinner will be served at 7:00 p.m. and will be kept warm for fashionably late arrivals. Saturday morning you will awaken to views of green, smells of salt and the amorous calls of Peacocks. A continental breakfast will be waiting to the crackle of the wood-burning stove. Here we will plan the morning activities of skin diving for abalone, kayaking, SCUBA diving, and seafood preparation for our gourmet feasts. The afternoon will be spent with group games, hiking, searching with a guide for delicious mushrooms, or napping in sunny meadows. The evenings are for tummies. All get into the action of preparing the evening feast. Our chef/guide will orchestrate the evening's presentation from the appropriate moment to catch the green flash with the right liquid, the flow of the gourmet dishes to address your palate, to the starlight walk to the cliffs of this most magnificent seascape. Sunday morning is yours. Pick the activity you wish to repeat or simply lounge with friends. We will have a brunch before our bunkhouse clean up and departure time of noon. Leaving will be the hardest part for you soul will linger in this peaceful wooded paradise.

Map to Stillwater Cove

Trip Flyer for 2008 (Driving directions and trip planner)

You must bring the following to collect Abalone:

• Snorkeling gear
• Personal Float
• Legal Ab bar & gauge
• Collection bag
• Current fishing license
• Abalone punch card
• Zip ties or string to tag abalone
• Waterproof bag or case to store license and punch card
• Pens

The California Department of Fish & Game has the 2008 regulations posted here. And they have produced a video to help demonstrate the new regulations.

Camping outside is best, so you also bring a tent and sleeping bag. Bring your own beverages. The host will also give a food assignment to bring.

• Dogs on leash $25/each per night
• Food groups will be assigned for each meal