Workamping on the Sonoma Coast: A Journey on the Edge of the Pacific

After leaving the redwoods, we knew we wanted to be by the ocean, so we looked for jobs along the coast. That led us to Fort Ross Lodge & Store, a small, locally loved spot right off Highway 1, nestled between the cliffs and the sea.

We were originally hired as housekeepers and landscapers, but like with any workamping job, our roles evolved. James took on projects—including building a stage for live music for their Second Saturday events, and I ended up working full-time in the store. I made what felt like a million sandwiches, learned how to make coffee (I miss my daily lattes!), and loved the rhythm of running the store.

On Friday through Sunday mornings, James and I worked breakfast together, just the two of us, setting the music and the mood for the day. Lunchtime was when the real fun began—our friend Anthony and I would “pump up the jams” to give ourselves a second wind, laughing and dancing as we kept up with the rush.

The Friendships That Made Fort Ross Feel Like Home

We also formed some incredible friendships during our time at Fort Ross. Kelsey and I hit it off right away—she was funny, quirky, and made work a blast. During a particularly busy rush, she once radioed me, “Help is on the way, dear!” in her best Mrs. Doubtfire voice, instantly making the chaos more fun. She poured so much heart into the store, and the customers and community loved her for it. She used to call me "The Conductor" because of how I juggled sandwich orders, coffee orders, and the register—making sure everything ran smoothly like a well-orchestrated symphony.

And then there was Anthony—my favorite coworker and the heart of the store. Every shift with him was an absolute blast. Dubbed the "Sandwich Samurai," he made legendary sandwiches that everyone raved about, making the rest of us constantly try to outdo him. Beloved by the community, Anthony was the guy who would do anything for anyone. He helped locals with home projects, gave them rides to appointments, and was always there to lend a hand. More than that, he was an amazing friend—I miss him all the time and miss "pumping up the jams" together during our shifts.

Allie became one of my closest friends at Fort Ross. We bonded over personal growth, fasting (she taught me everything I know!), and our shared love of books and plants. She was so excited for me when I bought a flowering tree to grow in Fern, and I introduced her to tofu—she loved it! Every morning, she’d come in to make her coffee with whipped cream, and now, thanks to her, I can’t have a latte without it. She was someone I could talk to about anything, a true kindred spirit who always cheered me on, and even now, she’s still supporting me from afar. Our friendship was one of the most meaningful parts of my time there, and I’m so grateful to have her in my life.

Life Beyond Work: Embracing the Sonoma Coast

But some of our favorite moments weren’t on the job at all—they were the moments we spent immersed in the landscape. We’d take Bishop for walks to the ocean, coffee in hand, breathing in the salty air and watching the waves crash against the cliffs. The creek behind the property became our personal sanctuary—we’d take Bishop down there all the time, and once, we even hiked it all the way to the ocean, climbing over rocks and wading through the water.

We also got to know the locals. This was a tight-knit community, and we loved becoming part of it. We saw the same friendly faces every day, chatting with regulars who had lived there for decades. Some even invited us into their lives—a longtime resident threw a huge farewell party at a barn before moving away, and another couple invited us to gatherings at their house on the ridge, overlooking the ocean.

And of course, we spent our days off exploring the coast. We went on long drives along Highway 1, one of the most beautiful (and terrifying) roads we’ve ever driven. It took time to get comfortable navigating its narrow, winding curves in our daily drives, but every mile was stunning. Hunting for abalone shells became our new obsession. We were over the moon when we found our first one and started scanning every beach for another whole piece. Treasure-hunting along the shore—searching for shells, sand dollars, and sea glass—became one of our favorite pastimes.

Living on the Sonoma Coast felt like a dream—one that most people only get to visit, but we got to call home. Every morning, we woke up to the sound of the waves. Every evening, we watched the sun sink behind the cliffs. And every night, we fell asleep to the distant barks of sea lions echoing along the shore. It was a completely different experience from the redwoods, but just as unforgettable.

Want to dive deeper into our time in the redwoods? Read the full story of our workamping experience at Redwoods River Resort here!

Memories from the Sonoma Coast

• ✨ The Rubber Chicken Bathroom Key – To keep the bathroom key from getting lost, we attached it to a rubber chicken—and it became legendary. Every time we handed it over, people would crack up. We’d insist they had to squeeze it, and when they did, it would let out the most ridiculous honk. It was an unexpected, goofy moment that never failed to make people smile.

• ✨ Our Favorite Locals – Some people just make a place feel like home. Drew would sit at the bar and chat with us, and we even met up with him for pizza at Raymond’s Bakery, tucked away in a redwood grove. Casey would bring his daughter in for bacon and hot chocolate piled high with whipped cream—he was always so kind, and I loved our conversations. Tammi had such fun energy; she’d grab a beer and hang out just to get out of the house, and we always looked forward to seeing her. Jim kept us laughing—whether it was his goofy dances, wild one-liners, or his banter with Anthony, he always brought good vibes and made every shift more entertaining.

• ✨ Whale Watching on the Horizon – We were always scanning the ocean, hoping to catch a glimpse of whales passing by. Locals assured us we’d see them, but for the longest time, we had no luck. Then one day, we finally spotted the telltale overspray in the distance. We were so excited! A whole pod was passing by, and watching them move across the horizon was pure magic.

• ✨ Live Music & Pizza in the Redwoods – One evening, we all piled into cars and drove to a hidden gem of a bakery deep in the redwoods. We ate incredible pizza, listened to live music, and sat under twinkling string lights, soaking in the magic of the moment.

• ✨ A Surprise at Bowling Ball Beach – A coworker told us to catch the minus tide at Bowling Ball Beach, and luckily, it lined up with our day off. As we walked along the exposed rocks, a drone appeared out of nowhere—it felt so invasive! Then, in the distance, we spotted our managers with their dog—it was their drone! They had followed us to the beach, and we ended up spending the day exploring together.

• ✨ Lawn Mower Wagon Rides – While landscaping at Fort Ross, James taught me how to use a riding lawn mower. One day, he hitched a wagon to haul my clippings—then told me to "Hop in!" We laughed the entire way, not realizing our coworkers were watching from across the street, snapping photos of our joyride and sending them to us later.

• ✨ Floating the Russian River – One of my favorite memories at Fort Ross. We took a day off with friends, tied our floats together (with a cooler in the middle, of course), and spent the afternoon drifting down the river. The sun was shining, the water was cool, and it was the perfect way to enjoy a summer day.

• ✨ A Sourdough Starter with a Story – A coworker gifted me a 111-year-old sourdough starter that had been passed down from Germany. She taught me everything I needed to know to start my sourdough journey, even sharing her own recipe. Learning to bake with it made me feel connected to something bigger—an unexpected but cherished food memory from life on the road.

• ✨ Second Saturdays at Fort Ross – Once a month, the local community gathered for live music, vendors, and good food. Working those weekends was a blast—we got to meet so many locals, hear their stories, and see firsthand how much the store meant to the community. It wasn’t just a place to shop; it was a place to connect, to share laughter over a cold drink, and to celebrate the unique charm of this little coastal town.

• ✨ After-Hours at the Store – The store was the heart of the community, and after closing, it became our gathering place. We’d play games, watch movies, and host potlucks. Sometimes after a long shift, we’d stay for a "shift beer" and make ourselves sandwiches—I loved having full access to all the ingredients and crafting the perfect one. My go-to? The “Veg Out”—roast beef, turkey, mayo, mustard, and cheese. No one makes a sandwich better than you make for yourself!

• ✨ Reunion with Kylene – I hadn't seen my best gal pal from Chicago, Kylene, in years, but when I saw her Instagram post saying she was in the area, I reached out. She and her wife were passing through, and they came by Fort Ross for lunch. It was a heartfelt, nostalgic reunion—catching up on life, reminiscing about the past, and realizing how much I missed her. It was so serendipitous that she happened to be in the area!

• ✨ Dreaming of Home – We fell in love with the area and started wondering if this could be the place we’d settle down. On our days off, we’d drive through the local community, checking out properties for sale and imagining what it would be like to live there with the Russian River right at our feet. One property was vacant, so James and I sat in the backyard, pretending for a moment that it was ours.

These are just a few of the unforgettable moments we experienced while workamping at Fort Ross Lodge & Store. If you’d like to hear more about what it was really like to live and work in the redwoods, check out the full story here.

Leaving the Sonoma Coast: A Goodbye Feast by Firelight

Our final days at Fort Ross weren’t filled with tearful goodbyes, but instead, with one last unforgettable night. Right before we left, the power went out, and everything in the store’s fridge and freezer was about to go bad. Rather than letting it all go to waste, we built a fire and turned it into a feast—grilling up everything we could, sharing food, laughter, and memories with our coworkers. It felt like an unplanned but perfect farewell party, the best way to close out the season.

At the time, it didn’t feel like goodbye--we fully expected to return for another season, so it was more of a bittersweet “see you later," but life has a way of leading you down unexpected roads. Plans changed, new opportunities opened up, and instead of returning, we found ourselves setting our sights on Montana for our next adventure.

Even though we didn’t go back, our time on the Sonoma Coast will always hold a special place in our hearts. The friendships, the ocean views, the mornings making lattes and sandwiches in the store—it was all part of an experience that shaped us, just as much as the redwoods had.

Have you ever workamped, or is it something you’d try? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I'd love to hear your experiences! If you’re curious about workamping in general, check out my full post here. And if you want to hear more about what it was like to work and live under the towering redwoods, check out the full story here. ✨