Rocky & Jamie
Things To Do
Sea Ranch Chapel
The Sea Ranch Chapel was built in 1985 by some of the original crazy hippies that made this whole place happen. It's not one of the original buildings, but I think they really nailed it.
Custom Sea Ranch Google Map
Rocky made a custom map with all the potential houses and points of interest so you can see how everything is located in relation to one another.
SFMOMA Video
Sea Ranch is famous not just for being among the first condo complexes in the world, but for pioneering a light on the land approach to architecture that's still taught around the world to this day.
Virtual Tour Video
Take a tour with Sea Ranch architect Donlyn Lyndon as he tries to explain what they all were thinking when this project was founded and the challenges and successes of trying to blend communal, environmental and commercial motivations.
New York Times Article
The New York Times wrote an article about the history of Sea Ranch, the characters involved, and recent developments related to both the California wild fires and an influx of new residents.
Sea Ranch Oral History
Curbed magazine recently published an oral history of Sea Ranch that involves most of the original players in the project, including the developers, architects, sales folks and graphic designers.
Dwell Article
More fun facts and cool photos of the Sea Ranch. There are also a few shots of renovations people have done in houses that aren't available for rent.
Modernist Architecture Blog
This article has some fun with critiquing Charles Moore's later work, but also includes a lot of photos we haven't seen elsewhere and clips from the sales and marketing materials that actually make it a little clearer what's going on with the condos.
Sea Ranch Lodge
The Sea Ranch lodge was among the original buildings in this whole place and features a general store, post office, hotel and restaurant. It's been closed for a few years, but was recently purchased by an SF based hotel group run by tech investors. Word has it, the restaurant should be reopened with renovations in early 2021.
The Sea Ranch Association
The Sea Ranch Association is responsible for all the rules and regulations that govern the design and management of the properties on Sea Ranch and their design committee is famous for weighing in on issues large and small.
Sea Ranch Golf Links
Perhaps the most glaring of Sea Ranch's many contradictions is this 18-hole gold course which is both completely antithetical to their vision of land management and the central feature of the lamer norther half of the complex.
Moonraker Recreational Center
This is the shared recreational facility for Sea Ranch and it includes a heated pool, sauna and tennis courts. Don't miss the famous Sea Ranch super graphics on display in the changing rooms.
Surf Market
This is the nearest super market with the bougie-ist selection. If you need wine, cheese, fancy beer, it's probably here.
Gualala Supermarket
This is the other supermarket in town. It seems to close a little earlier but it's slightly more affordable.
Adventure Rents
Apparently the Gualala River is great for inner tubes, but you can also rent canoes and kayaks.
The Hot Spot
The main swim spot on the southeast end of the Gualala river. Also featured in the original Sea Ranch drawings. And... Jack London's favorite fishing spot? Allegedly.
Black Point Beach
"Black Point is the longest, most dramatic of the five beaches at Sea Ranch." Guess we should check that out
Pebble Beach
"Pebble Beach is a small, somewhat protected beach. It’s close to a parking area—a good choice if you are carrying things."
Tide Pool Beach
Apparently this one is pretty close to Gualala. The guides recommend you grab a slice of pizza and a bottle of wine and walk down and have a picnic.
Gualala Point Regional Park
This is the river mouth you see when you are on your way to the supermarket from the cabins. Options for fresh water and saltwater swimming. Probably worth a take out sandwich.
Shell Beach
"Shell Beach is another beach with easy access."
Walk on Beach
"Walk on Beach is a long, open beach with lots of driftwood for fort building."
Stengel Beach
"This is a small beach behind the White Barn appropriately named Stengel." It's got a waterfall!
Fort Ross
Little known fact, the Russians actually settled the Sonoma Coast first, outflanking the Spanish settlers from the north and establishing Fort Ross as an agricultural and trading outpost to supply food to their colony in Alaska. That plan never worked, but they managed to hold it down for a few decades until the place was bought by a millionaire and eventually restored by preservation advocates.
Peace Obelisk at the Timber Cove Resort
Might be worth hitting the Timber Cove Restaurant on the way up or back. It's near Fort Ross and next to the Peace Obelisk.
Point Arena Lighthouse
Point Arena lighthouse is the "only lighthouse of significant height" on the Nothern California coast that allows you to climb to the top. Self guided tours also available.
Bowling Ball Beach
Sea Ranch is famous for its crazy geology. This is apparently one of the spots the locals hang out at on a normal afternoon.
The Garcia River Casino
We hadn't planned on going to the casino, but apparently there is one! Maybe we hit it after the welcome event on the first night.
B Bryan Preserve
Sea Ranch is famous for native wildlife that will walk right up to your window, but if you want to see some crazy zebras, Point Arena has a Tiger King for you.