Dawn Ranch, an oasis in Guerneville, California, sprawls across 22 acres on the bank of Fife Creek, not far from the Russian River. Originally opened in 1905, the property closed in 2019 due to flooding and now enters its newest chapter as part of the Bridgeton Holdings portfolio.
The wellness destination boasts 81 total keys, including six new glamping-style tents; five dining options helmed by chef Fernando Trocca; and a full-service luxury spa offering nature-inspired treatments.
Bridgeton Studio refreshed Dawn Ranch’s design in collaboration with Brian Smith—who contributed to Inness—and Whitney Clark—who worked on Dawn Ranch’s East Coast sister property, Marram Montauk. Embodying classic California style, the airy interiors of Dawn Ranch feature bright walls, warm, neutral accents, and a mix of antique and modern furnishings.
“We wanted to create timeless spaces that felt loved, cared for, authentic, and spontaneous,” says Bridgeton Studio interiors director Brian Smith. “California has long been a laboratory for architects and designers eager to dissolve the proverbial line between inside and outside. At Dawn Ranch, we were eager to continue this long-standing approach. We reorganized spaces to feel more open and modern, enlarging and reconfiguring windows to allow more natural light and frame views of the landscape, and refurbishing fireplaces to provide a calming warmth and a symbolic connection to the elemental forces of nature.”
The accommodations are characterized by a rustic-meets-contemporary sensibility. An assemblage of materials, like cement-tiled fireplaces in the pool cabins and leather-upholstered redwood chairs, creating visual and tactile contrast. Special attention was also paid to curating the in-room art, which “makes a point of focusing on the hand of the artists,” Bridgeton CEO Atit Jariwala says. “Blind contour drawings and handwoven paper quilt feel both inspiring and approachable.”
Over at the Spa at Dawn Ranch—once the owner’s living quarters—original detailing, including pine paneling and a red brick fireplace, is retained, while a mahogany infrared sauna and Japanese Ofuro soaking tubs were added. Furthermore, the spa features a steam room, three treatment rooms, and a large deck complete with a lush garden and thermostatic outdoor showers.
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