Wow! This venue is really special and would be a perfect fit for so many types of weddings and events.  Dawn Ranch is located in northern Sonoma County in the quaint village of Guerneville.  The historic venue/lodge is only a 1 1/2 hour drive from San Francisco, and the drive is beautiful.  Once arriving to Dawn Ranch, you’ll find yourself in the middle of complete nature.  Many of your guests can stay at the lodge and have a wonderful weekend getaway for a destination wedding with 53 individual, rustic but recently renovated, charming cottages and chalets.  All four Vixens enjoy the cabin experience and can attest to an excellent night’s sleep!

If holding a large wedding or social event, we suggest keeping to a 300 person headcount, but in truth Dawn Ranch has enough room on the grounds that they can fit many more in some areas, yet there are many spots that work perfectly for a much smaller groups.We love all the options for ceremonies, cocktailing and receptions.

Let’s start with the ideal weekend logistics (in my eyes!) at Dawn Ranch.  You and your guests can start arriving on Thursday (perhaps just the wedding party members) and then Friday all other guests staying on property can arrive. A Thursday evening rehearsal can follow with dinner at Agriculture Public House, the fabulous restaurant at the lodge with a delicious menu filled with local and fresh ingredients!  Friday can be spent exploring the area – there are lots of fun shops and wineries to visit in Sonoma County, great outdoor activities and hiking all about, and the Pacific Coast is just a twenty minute drive.

A Friday Welcome Dinner at the Boathouse would be our next scheduled event, having an outdoor BBQ keeping it fun and casual, the perfect feel for guests coming to get to know each other possibly for the first time.  The common lawn, which is covered with white blooming flowers in early spring, is a great spot for fun activities like volleyball, croquet or corn hole, and you can have picnic tables outside and some vintage games and cards available – what fun!  There is also a large firepit in this area, perfect for s’mores and storytelling after dinner.

The following day can be filled with exploring for your guests, heading to the Russian River (which borders the property) for some kayak or canoeing fun or they can just relax around the lovely central pool.  An afternoon wedding ceremony at The Meadow, a large, natural grass area bordered by Fife Creek,  which is perfect for a creekside ceremony or set up your altar within the majestic Redwood Grove – lovely.  The reception would follow and depending on the size of the guest count, the grassy meadow is large enough for a wonderful reception tent installation (glam it up with a romantic lined ceiling and chandeliers!) or consider holding the dinner within the old fruit orchard and dine in the shade of the trees.  The property is green year round with natural grasses and foliage and large shady trees throughout and maybe you’d happen upon deer,  squirrels, a shy fox, or even possibly at dusk you’ll spot racoon!

The versatility of Dawn Ranch lodge makes it ideal for many events: a wedding, family gathering or corporate retreat.  Rental availability is April to November and can also be rented mid-week.  The fantastic restaurant is open year round.

Dawn Ranch Lodge has gone through many transitions in the past 100+ years, starting as a summer camp retreat for the well-to-do Bay Area familes, and fortunately for us all, the property has retained it’s natural splendor and has survived the test of time.  The present owners have continued with the tradition of hospitality, excellent service, suisine and a perfect spot for making lifetime memories with your family and friends.  Be sure to check out their website and schedule a site tour so you can see for yourself the magic of Dawn Ranch.

We so appreciate the company and photographic talent of Rebecca of Ford Family Photography who captured the beauty even on this early spring, slightly damp weekend.

~ Vixen Kendra

Click to see Vixen Value

Dawn Ranch Wedding Events

Dawn Ranch Wedding Events