Bohemian Grove
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Quick Overview
What Is Bohemian Grove?
Bohemian Grove is a 2,700-acre privately owned campground tucked into the redwood forests of Monte Rio, California — a small town along the Russian River in Sonoma County. It’s owned and operated by the Bohemian Club, a San Francisco-based private men’s club founded in 1872 by a group of journalists and artists who wanted an escape from city life.
The first encampment happened almost by accident. In 1878, about 100 club members threw a farewell party for founding member Henry “Harry” Edwards in the redwoods of Marin County, near what’s now Samuel P. Taylor State Park. The event went so well that they voted to make it annual. By 1899, the club had purchased the Monte Rio property from Melvin Cyrus Meeker, giving them a permanent home for what has become one of America’s most secretive annual gatherings.
What Happens at Bohemian Grove?
The main event is a three-week summer encampment held each July. During those three weeks, roughly 2,000 members — many of them some of the most powerful people in the country — gather among the giant redwoods for lectures, performances, concerts, and the infamous “Cremation of Care” ceremony.
That ceremony is probably what Bohemian Grove is best known for. It takes place in front of a 40-foot stone owl statue and is meant to symbolize leaving behind worldly concerns for a few weeks of camaraderie. Whether you find that fascinating or a little strange, it’s been a tradition for over a century.
The facilities include two large performance stages set between the redwood trees (both fully equipped with lighting and sound), sleeping quarters scattered throughout the property, a clubhouse overlooking the Russian River, and a dining area that seats 1,500 people. There’s also an artificial lake used for informal talks and afternoon lectures.
Who Goes There?
Membership is limited to around 2,000 people, and the wait list reportedly stretches for years. The roster has historically included some familiar names — several U.S. Presidents among them, including Herbert Hoover, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush. The club draws primarily from the worlds of politics, business, and entertainment.
Outside of the main encampment, members can bring spouses, friends, and children to the grove during pre-scheduled day-use events when no club activities are happening. Women and minors are asked to leave the property by 10:00 PM during these visits.
The Secrecy and the Conspiracy Theories
Bohemian Grove has a strict no-camera policy, and members are expected to respect each other’s privacy, which naturally has fueled plenty of speculation over the years. Some conspiracy theorists have claimed it’s a meeting place where the world’s elite secretly make global decisions. Those claims have been widely debunked, but they’ve made for some entertaining documentaries, including the 2000 film Dark Secrets: Inside Bohemian Grove.
In 2016, the activist group “The Bohemian Grove Action Network” staged a protest at the site, calling for more transparency from the club’s membership. Fun fact: There’s actually a placard about the Bohemian Club inside Muir Woods National Monument. You can spot it on one of our Muir Woods tours.
The Bohemian Club Connection to San Francisco
The Bohemian Club has its roots firmly planted in San Francisco culture. Founded in 1872, the club originally brought together writers, artists, and musicians — the “bohemians” of the city’s cultural scene. Over time, the membership expanded to include business leaders and political figures, but the club has maintained its San Francisco headquarters and its connection to the Northern California landscape.
That landscape — the coast redwoods that define Marin and Sonoma counties — is part of what made the grove so appealing in the first place. The same ancient trees that surround Bohemian Grove are the ones you can walk among at Muir Woods, just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco.
See the Redwoods Without a Membership
You don’t need a Bohemian Club invitation to experience Northern California’s incredible redwood forests. Our Muir Woods morning tour takes you into old-growth coast redwoods just 30 minutes from San Francisco — with small groups and guides who actually know the stories behind the trees.
Want to combine redwoods with wine tasting? The Redwoods & Wine Country tour pairs a walk through ancient forests with visits to Sonoma County wineries, covering both natural beauty and local flavor in a single day.
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