I was on the hunt for a hot tub and a view. With spring break fast approaching, we had decided on a coastal getaway. I had decided on a hot tub with a view. A relaxing coastal getaway in The Sea Ranch fit the bill nicely.
The Sea Ranch is a small coastal community off of iconic Highway 1, very close to the town of Gualala. With a population of about a thousand people, most of the homes in The Sea Ranch are occupied by retirees and vacation renters. As a private community, The Sea Ranch is unique in its vision of respecting the land and living without intrusion. The buildings are built with muted colors that blend with the surroundings, whether that be on a bluff overlooking the ocean or tucked into a forest of trees.
If you need any supplies, you will have to go into Gualala, which is, at most, 6 miles away. Most everything closes pretty early in Gualala. I would aim to have all of your supplies in place by 6pm, 7pm at the latest. Most establishments close by 8pm.
We highly recommend the Surf Market in Gualala if you have any last minute items to pick up. They have a great meat and seafood counter as well as an interesting mix of name brand goods and unique selections such as Surf Market One Alarm Hot Sauce. Their sourdough bread baked daily was a delicious addition to dinner.
Where to Stay
There are a multitude of vacation rentals available on VRBO and Air BnB. Alternatively, there are at least three separate rental companies in the Sea Ranch area offering up rental homes. Ultimately, there are just a lot of different venues to check out to find the perfect vacation rental for your Sea Ranch getaway.
The Urban Escape Compound
We stuck with VRBO, if only out of habit. Our Sea Ranch vacation found us staying at the Urban Escape Compound: a sprawling three bedroom, three bathroom, plus loft affair with two hot tubs and a central garden area. It fit our family of six plus my in-laws without an issue. Check in was easy: we received the code to the key lockboxes the day prior to arrival and simply let ourselves in. You do have to head into Gualala to pick up your guest packet in order to obtain your parking and activity passes.
The back deck overlooked a meadow down to the bluff with an ocean view. A copse of trees nicely shaded the house in the mornings, allowing us to sleep in just a liiiiiiittle bit later. Both hot tubs worked and were clean, although they may have been a little over-eager with the chlorine in the smaller tub.
The Urban Escape Compound: Sleeping Arrangements
Two of the rooms had comfortable queen beds and lots of windows looking out over the meadow and out to the water in the distance. Sliding glass doors offered easy access to the large hot tub out front.
I didn’t realize when I booked the Compound that one of the listed bedrooms was in fact a “granny condo” in the back separate from the main house (yes I know, compound, duh). Typically I would put the older two up in the loft, but the fact that this room was separate defaulted it to them, instead. This was a joy for the girls and a bane for me. Teenage girls already tend to want to go off on their own, and this provided the perfect hidey-hole for them to do so.
This left the loft for Big Bro, which he loved. Of course there was a very steep twirling metal staircase up to the top floor which may or may not have given me early morning mom anxiety attacks. That being said, we had no real issues with this arrangement.
The Urban Escape Compound: Possible Hiccups
If you choose to stay at the Urban Escape Compound be aware that you need to bring your own paper towels and napkins – we haven’t encountered this in a while. There were plenty of linens and extra blankets, as well as beach towels, available. Our other main issue surrounded the electrical in the house: there appeared to be a blown (possibly overloaded) breaker which made it hard to use the dishwasher and garbage disposal. The company has since been notified and hopefully this has been rectified.
Bring Your Telescope
As a community with a deep respect for natural beauty, this is an ideal spot for viewing the stars. There aren’t any tall buildings marring the skyline and the people living here do their best to minimize light pollution. Our vacation rental company even left a note reminding us to please pull the shades after the sun goes down to minimize our impact.
Walking outside is a little like walking out into a black hole: it is truly dark. However, a step outside also reveals how beautiful the night sky can be in all its glory. Derek took Big Bro with him to grab something from outside. Big Bro looked up and exclaimed “Wow! The stars are awake!!” Even the little guys can appreciate some star viewing. It is never too early to foster that wonder and curiosity.
Pack Your Rain Boots
Being located along the Northern California Coast, The Sea Ranch has a “rainy season” of about 8.5 months out of the year. Obviously the amount of rain varies and California has been experiencing a notorious drought. However, the rain has been back in force lately and it rained the entirety of one of our vacation days. While this made for a cozy opportunity to stay in, bake, and put together puzzles, there was no way we were going to miss out on the beautiful outdoors.
Armed with a pair of dinosaur rain boots and an oversized jacket (we may have just used his snow coat… it worked extremely well)., we went for a rainy mid-day walk. The thick growth of the trees moderated the rain fall and we were able to explore lots of different plants. We even found the beginnings of some man-made (probably kid-made?) forts.
The next day, there were opportunities for epic puddle splashing escapades. I was so glad I brought the rain boots… Now I’m looking into getting myself a pair.
All the Hiking Trails
Given the variable terrain, there are all different kinds of hiking trails to explore in The Sea Ranch. One of the most popular has to be the Bluff Trail winding along the edge of the bluff along the coast. It is essentially the Highway 1 of walking trails. It is an easy grade and about three miles in a single direction. We only meandered along part of it. But everyone, from 16 months old to 60 years, was able to navigate easily.
A super cool feature included along the trail is a series of informational posts with QR codes. Scan them and learn more about the history of the Sea Ranch area for a pseudo-self guided tour.
There is pretty much no cell reception in The Sea Ranch. So, make sure you have your trails picked out before you leave the reach of your Wi-Fi. We love the AllTrails app. Otherwise, you can find trails available along the coast in the Sea Ranch here. Maps are also available for purchase ($5) at The Sea Ranch Association office.
Visit a Community Center
As a guest of the the Sea Ranch community, you are given access to the private community centers located within the area. There are three available for use: Del Mar Recreation Center, Ohlson Recreation Center and Moonraker Recreation Center. They are spaced out within the Sea Ranch community, but all three are nestled along the coast and feature nice views. Amenities include swimming pools, tennis courts and playgrounds. There is also a library at the Ohlson Rec Center. Due to COVID restrictions, most things require reservations in advance. You can book online through The Sea Ranch website. Make sure to carry your pass with you; it is required for entry into the recreation centers.
Watch for Wildlife
There are so many animals to look out for while staying at The Sea Ranch. Tons of birds fly overhead, most looking for a tasty meal in the meadow. Groups of deer walk about the homes as they please without being bothered.
The Sea Ranch is one of the best place to watch for Grey whales migrating from the Arctic Ocean. If you are visiting during the month of April, be sure to keep an eye out as they have been spotted as close to a mile off of the coast. Definitely bring your binoculars!
Rent a Place with a Hot Tub
I highly recommend looking for a vacation rental with a hot tub. A hot tub within view of the ocean only enhances the “relax and appreciate” factor of staying along the Mendocino coast. It would be a great place to enjoy some quiet time in the early morning with a cup of coffee, if you are able to get up before your kids. I keep telling myself one day Little Bro will actually sleep!
The older two were big fans of the hot tub. They loved hanging out with the family and enjoying the crisp outdoors. We even spent an afternoon out in the rain. Kids younger than the age of 5 years should not go in a hot tub. They simply cannot withstand the heat. That being said, Big Bro enjoyed sitting on the edge with me and putting his feet in. That and playing with the buttons for the jet controls. The hot tub was a great activity for all ages to enjoy in different ways.
Where to Eat
There are a few restaurants to choose from in the town of Gualala just north of The Sea Ranch. From seafood to pizza to Mexican cuisine, there is actually quite a variety for such a small area. We were intrigued by the Gualala Pizza and Bakery which advertised pizza, Mexican food, bakery items and ice cream. Pretty much anything you could think to ask for!
Located within the Sundstrom Shopping center, we scored a long table that easily fit our party of 8. The pizza was really good with a nice crust, lots of cheese and lots of garlic. It is available by the slice or entire pizzas baked upon order. We also tried eclairs and coffee from the bakery. The specialty coffee was mild but a little extra sweet in my opinion. The eclairs filled with custard were to die for.
We even returned the morning of our departure for breakfast. They have basic combinations with eggs and pancakes as well as Mexican breakfast plates. The huevos rancheros and chilaquiles were awesome. Be aware, the Mexican food definitely has a kick to it. And we loved it.
What I Would Do Differently Next Time
The lesson I learned during this trip was to make sure to pack ahead of time. Even if you are tired. Even if you had a work exposure to scabies. Sure, you are trying to get a million things done at the same time. Still, make sure to pack ahead of time.
I half packed in the days leading up to our trip, but left part of the packing for the morning of. Big mistake. We ended up forgetting our pack ‘n play as well as sunscreen and activities for the babies. It totally worked out in the end. We put together a make-shift baby nest for Little Bro on the floor of our bedroom and we had enough activities just out and about for the kids to be entertained. However, I’m still going to remember in the future, the time I tried to pack the morning of.
Spring break often evokes images of beach parties and wild times. There is definitely a place for that in the lives of everyone. But sometimes it pays off to slow down and disconnect. From technology anyway. Instead, reconnect with the people you love and the physical world around you. Sit back and enjoy the sounds of rain in the trees or the glint of the sun off the waves in the distance. Our escape to The Sea Ranch provided ample opportunity to come together and enjoy the presence of family as well as to reflect on the beauty of nature around us.
Have you been to The Sea Ranch recently? Do you have any must-do activities for next time? Comment below!
