Seeking Serenity at The Sea Ranch CA

The Sea Ranch Vacation

When you’re feeling restless like the world is pushing in uninvited, it might be Mendonoma time — time to drive up the California coast, top down, in search of a chill escape. Destination: The Sea Ranch in Sonoma County, California. Fresh air, dreamy views, calm climate.

On this page:

Mind on Mendonoma: magical place between Sonoma & Mendocino
The Sea Ranch Architecture: Nature + Nurture
Things to do in Sea Ranch: Play, Eat, Stay
“Know Before you Go”: The Sea Ranch trip planning resources

People often ask why so many of my vacation spots lie along the California coast, since my home is within walking distance to the beach. Not complaining. But real life will have its way wherever you live, and stress still slips in around the edges.

If my town’s beach has taught me anything, its that each stretch of the California coast has it’s own ambiance, it’s own stories to tell.

Mind on Mendonoma

Mendonoma is a made-up term for a magical place in the middle between Sonoma and Mendocino counties, about 100 miles north of San Francisco.

That’s where you’ll find The Sea Ranch, an unincorporated area of coastline perfect for seekers of Pacific peace and serenity.

The place, at the very top of California’s Sonoma coast, features plenty of big nature and low profile lodging meant to blend in with the landscape — often with ocean views.

You won’t find many shops or restaurants in The Sea Ranch proper. For that, you’ll want to head just a few miles north to Gualala (pronounced wa-LA-la) in Mendocino. More about that in a bit.

First time visitors to The Sea Ranch often confuse the place with its namesake hotel called Sea Ranch Lodge, which is the first building you’ll see as you enter the area from the south after a long stretch of wild highway that winds around the cliffs.

The Sea Ranch Lodge is currently closed. Fortunately I wanted to recommend staying at one of the many amazing vacation rentals instead of the old Sea Ranch Lodge, which is where I stayed last time. The buzz is that the lodge is up for sale. I’ll post updates here. (More about vacation rentals below.)

But you should know that some of the best coastal view are from walks you can take from just behind the lodge, so keep it on your radar for a starting point, wherever you stay.

Here’s what you need to know to plan your visit to the NorCal town called The Sea Ranch, with savvy tips to help you plan your own savvy stay sometime soon.

My first impression of The Sea Ranch is that it has a bit of a split personality. Two dichotomies converge at The Sea Ranch: the wild and the controlled. Or you could say it’s a little bit nature, a little bit nurture.

I love the wildness, from the raptors that claim the craggy bluffs, to the hidden coves that appear only at low tide, the driftwood dotting black sandy beaches, whales breaching in the surf, and foxes hunting in open meadows.

The controlled part seems just as fierce, like an unyielding, town-wide gated community meant to protect the natural elements.

The Sea Ranch Architecture

Due to architectural guidelines drawn up in the 1960s, all houses feature low profiles and must be built from natural wood materials.

The community association sees that all The Sea Ranch’s 1,800 or so rustic homes are situated and designed to honor the natural landscape. All private homes must have their parking areas hidden from view by low walls. And no streetlights are allowed.

This minimalist approach for “living lightly on the land” gives the place a sense of calm and natural dignity, but may seem stifling to potential residents.

The neighborhoods are set in the hills and meadows. A few feature 100-year-old Cypress hedgerows planted in the early 1900s to break the northwest winds. You’ll see sheep happily munching on grasses amid the Cypress trees along the roads.

Walk or drive around town and you can view homes designed by renowned architects Charles W. Moore, Joseph Esherick, William Turnbull, Donlyn Lyndon and Richard Whitaker. Condominium One, for example, was added to The National Register of Historic Places a little over a decade ago.

Things to do in The Sea Ranch California

For The Sea Ranch getaway, you will need a car. And getting there during the daytime is a good idea or you’ll miss the spectacular ocean views. Also, the windy roads to this Mendonoma destination look a lot scarier in the dark if you’re not used to them.

Whatever you do, the idea is to just breath deep, chill out, and get into The Sea Ranch state of mind.

Find The Sea Ranch Trails with Coastal Access

One of our favorite things to do in The Sea Ranch is walk the coastal trails. You’ll find six public trails worth walking, managed by Sonoma County Regional Parks. Bluff Top Trail, Walk on Beach, Shell Beach, Stengel Beach, Pebble Beach, and Black Point.

You can park at one of these access points, and hike from one beach to another.

All of the trails are up high on the bluffs, so you’ll need to walk dow staircases or steep paths. The easiest may be Shell Beach, which also features fun tide pools during low tide.

Depending on the time of year, you’ll see flowers growing wild, including Calla Lillies, Lupine, California Poppy, Ice Plants, and Buttercups. You’ll also see some homes tucked into the natural landscape.

The trails lead to several beaches. Or continue along the bluffs and you’ll see a seal preserve, in the cove below, where seals lounge around with their pups in the spring.

Savvy Tip: The bluff-top trail is dog-friendly!

Watch for the “Do Not Disturb” sign along the trail, a tip off that you’re passing the seal preserve, or you may hear the seals distinctive bark.

Guests renting vacation homes have access to the community swimming pool, tennis courts, golf course, and the private neighborhood roads.

Day trippers can go to the public beaches along Highway 1, rent bicycles, go wine tasting, along with other outdoor activities up and down the coast. The more adventurous may spend the day abalone diving. (Abalone season is April through November.)

Families might enjoy tide pooling at Pebble Beach’s cove or launching a boat off Shell Beach.

While you’re walking the bluffs gazing out to sea at the waves and whale watching, don’t forget to look up.

Bird watching opportunities include more than squadrons of Pelicans. Bird nerds have noted more than 100 species of birds. Keep an eye out for raptors (Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Hawk, Osprey), Great Blue Heron, Oystercatcher, White-tailed Kite, Steller’s Jay, Kingfisher, Pine Siskin, Barn Swallow, American Goldfinch, and more.

SAVVY TIP: November through December are the best months for seeing whales migrating south. But in March and April you’re likely to see whales returning north plus the wildflowers are in bloom.

See the Sea Ranch Chapel

The quirky Sea Ranch Chapel is one building that stands out from the rest, Or is it just a variation on a theme? To me, it looks like a cockeyed witches hat, and a stark contrast to the simple exteriors that characterize the town. Others say it looks like a bird in flight, a shell, or a cresting wave.

All in good fun, say the locals sitting on redwood benches beside me. Everyone looks amazing bathed in the golden light pouring through the chapel’s colorful stained glass.

Look up and you’ll see the sculpted floral ceiling embedded with sea shells. The floor is natural stone inlaid with a floral mosaic. A beloved local attraction, the chapel is a favorite stop for visitors looking for a quiet place to pray or meditate.

Things to do in nearby Gualala

If you’re staying in The Sea Ranch, going to Gualala is a given. Gualala is an artists community just a few pleasant miles up the coast in Mendocino County.

Go for breakfast or lunch, to pick up groceries, or to browse the shops and art galleries.

If you have a day to kill, check out Gualala Point Regional Park. On Gualala Point at the mouth of the Gualala River in Sonoma County (south of Gualala between The Sea Ranch and Gualala) this 195 acre park boasts a campground, trail system, ocean views and beaches worth visiting.

You can also go kayaking on the Gualala River, which also runs though The Sea Ranch. The Gualala River is a fun place to go kayaking or canoeing, no matter what your activity level.

Adventure Rents is the go to place to rent a top quality watercraft, single or tandem kayak or canoe. You can take a self-guided two-hour paddle. Or book for a half-day tour, which gives you time for time to picnic lunch. Or plan a full day river adventure tour. (See contact info at the bottom of this page.)

Gualala also has a vibrant little local art scene. Start at the 15,000 square foot Gualala Arts Center. Walk the sculpture garden, visit the gallery, or attend an event. You’ll also find man independent galleries around town.

Go Wine Tasting at Annapolis Winery

If you’re up for an afternoon drive, take the twisty country road eight miles up the hill to Annapolis Winery for some free wine tasting with panoramic vineyard views. Owned and operated by the Scalabrini family, the winery produces small amounts of locally grown hand-crafted, award-winning ultra-premium wines.

Savvy Tip: Bring a picnic lunch or snacks from Surf Market and set up on one of the winery’s family and dog-friendly patio tables.

Where to Eat on the Mendonoma Coast

SAVVY TIP: Skip down to the bottom of this page for links and locations of resources mentioned here.

The Ranch Cafe is new and already a favorite with locals. Located in the Ranch Center in The Sea Ranch, the cafe serves pastries, and an ever changing specials menu for breakfast and lunch.

You won’t find many dining options in The Sea Ranch, but it’s a short drive north to the town of Gualala.

In Gualala, Trinks is a popular locals hangout with great food and coffee. This is my favorite spot for breakfast. Trinks features specialty sandwiches, bakery items, and good coffee. Gualala Pizza & Bakery: is a good spot for Pizza, Chinese food, and Mexican baked goods.

Twofish Baking Company, popular with both locals and tourists, was a popular Sea Ranch restaurant and bakery for 14 years. Recently they moved four miles south, to Stewart’s Point. Still worth a visit, especially for the sticky buns (“big, caramel, walnut sticky goodness”). Also, pizza night is a party (every Friday 4pm until 8:30pm). And the calzones aren’t bad either.

St. Orres features locally sourced ingredients with specialties like wild game, a great choice for fine dining and special occasions.

For locally made artisan gelato and cheeses, try Pazzo Marco Creamery, located at Surf Market. Their Gelato Cart is open on Saturdays (from Memorial Day to Labor Day.)

Local Markets in and around The Sea Ranch

Stewarts Point Store 

Stewarts Point Store serves up local artisanal breads and pastries, with a small breakfast and lunch menu with popular items like the breakfast burrito, calzones, and the pilgrim turkey sandwich. On Friday’s they stay open late for Pizza Night, popular with the locals.

The store is now owned by the former Two Fish Baking Company folks.

Surf Market

Surf Market features a full-service deli with sandwiches and decent coffee. This is the go-to place to pick up groceries, local organic produce, meats, cheeses, wine, and beer.

Where to Stay in The Sea Ranch, California

This is the place for vacation rentals rather than hotel chains. Many homes are are available for rent and some feature ocean views, hot tubs, and access to local amenities, including the community pool.

We compare rates and options for The Sea Ranch or Gualala hotels and vacation rentals on this Hotels.com page for the area, but you may have a service you like to use with similar results.

Although I stayed last time at The Sea Ranch Lodge, which is currently closed, friends say the vacation home rentals in the area are spectacular.