The small coastal town of Jenner-by-the-Sea is located on Hwy 1, 10 miles north of Bodega Bay and 3 miles west of Duncan's Mills at the mouth of the Russian River.

In 1811, Russians landed on the coast and claimed the whole area for the crown. They named the river "Slavianki" which is now the Russian River. The town itself is named for Charles Jenner who was a writer who came to the area and then built his home in what is now called Jenner Gulch.

Jenner-by-the-Sea is made up primarily of residences but also includes a post office, The Rivers End Restaurant, Emma's Cafe, The Jenner Inn, a gas station/convenience store, and The Seagull Gift Shop. There are also many vacation homes available through Jenner Vacation Rentals.

Among the most popular activities are the various beaches including Goat Rock State Beach where you can view seals basking in the sun and otters at play. Penny Island and the Sanctuary Preserve are excellent for viewing the hundreds of bird species in the area.