Pacific Pearl @ The Sea Ranch
Shopping
A must-see for a reader...our family's favorite bookstore that is also community owned.
12 locals recommend
Four-Eyed Frog
39138 Ocean DrA must-see for a reader...our family's favorite bookstore that is also community owned.
Anabel's Boutique
39114 Ocean DriveThrift store of high fashion items. Our teenage daughters love it.
Gualala Arts Center
46501 Old Stage RdSupport some local artists!
Gualala Supermarket
39225 CA-1Biggest supermarket in town
Gualala Farmers Market
47950 Center StSaturday mornings to support your local farmers.
Food scene
Could hold its own in any major city. Our go-to restaurant every visit.
56 locals recommend
Anchor Bay Thai Kitchen
35517 CA-1Could hold its own in any major city. Our go-to restaurant every visit.
Fantastic pastries and bread...and friday night pizza - go early before everything sells out.
31 locals recommend
Twofish Baking
32000 CA-1Fantastic pastries and bread...and friday night pizza - go early before everything sells out.
Trinks Cafe
39140 CA-1Best coffee in town and good eatery too.
St. Orres
36601 CA-1Romantic and high-end dinner spot.
Cove Azul Bar & Grill
39102 Ocean DrTasty food in a casual setting.
Get a window table for the best view in Gualala. Higher-end food with a focus on local ingredients.
18 locals recommend
Vue Kitchen
39300 CA-1Get a window table for the best view in Gualala. Higher-end food with a focus on local ingredients.
The locals come here for the food not the ambiance. It's worth it.
16 locals recommend
Gualala Seafood Shack
California 1The locals come here for the food not the ambiance. It's worth it.
If it's not Friday night for pizza at TwoFish Bakery, Upper Crust is your go-to spot.
17 locals recommend
Upper Crust Pizzeria
39331 CA-1If it's not Friday night for pizza at TwoFish Bakery, Upper Crust is your go-to spot.
It's a drive but The Bird Cafe has developed a massive local following for unique dishes and some claim world-class meals.
32 locals recommend
The Bird Cafe
190 Main StIt's a drive but The Bird Cafe has developed a massive local following for unique dishes and some claim world-class meals.
The only Michelin-stared restaurant along the North Coast. That recognition says it all.
12 locals recommend
Harbor House Inn
5600 CA-1The only Michelin-stared restaurant along the North Coast. That recognition says it all.
Sightseeing
Annapolis Winery
26055 Soda Springs RdIt's not Sonoma...but it's nearby!
Fascinating history of the southern-most Russian settlement in California.
54 locals recommend
Fort Ross State Historic Park
19005 Coast HighwayFascinating history of the southern-most Russian settlement in California.
Tranquil setting in the redwoods that hosts talented local artists and events.
40 locals recommend
Gualala Arts Center
46501 Old Stage RdTranquil setting in the redwoods that hosts talented local artists and events.
A quick stop to an architecturally unique, non-denominational place of reflection.
25 locals recommend
Sea Ranch Chapel
40033 California 1A quick stop to an architecturally unique, non-denominational place of reflection.
Dramatic setting for a historically important lighthouse. Lots of hiking is available in the surrounding Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands.
74 locals recommend
Point Arena Lighthouse and Museum
45500 Lighthouse RdDramatic setting for a historically important lighthouse. Lots of hiking is available in the surrounding Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands.
Tired of Netflix, sick of the trails and maybe it's raining - well then consider this one-screen theater in Point Arena
26 locals recommend
Arena Theater
214 Main StTired of Netflix, sick of the trails and maybe it's raining - well then consider this one-screen theater in Point Arena
Gorgeous grounds for a tranquil few hours along the coast.
66 locals recommend
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
18220 CA-1Gorgeous grounds for a tranquil few hours along the coast.
Explore the Gualala River with canoe or kayak (check the season and water levels...winter and spring is best)
15 locals recommend
Adventure Rents
Mill Bend RdExplore the Gualala River with canoe or kayak (check the season and water levels...winter and spring is best)
Beaches & Public Lands that Inspire
Bowling Ball Beach
Gualala Point Regional Park
California 1great spot for whalewatching
Beautiful coastal pastoral lands that also house the Point Arena Lighthouse.
46 locals recommend
Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands
Beautiful coastal pastoral lands that also house the Point Arena Lighthouse.
Salt Point State Park
25050 CA-1Gorgeous coastal land just south of The Sea Ranch.
Van Damme State Park
8001 CA-1Beaches, rivers and even pigmy forests near Mendocino.
Many many miles of an undeveloped coastline just north of Point Arena.
12 locals recommend
Manchester Beach
Many many miles of an undeveloped coastline just north of Point Arena.
If in bloom, it's beautiful. If not, not so much. April and May is usually best...check the web to see if you can get near real-time input.
Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Reserve
If in bloom, it's beautiful. If not, not so much. April and May is usually best...check the web to see if you can get near real-time input.
City/town information
Artists enclave about a 90-minute drive north along the coast. A fun day trip to window shop.
75 locals recommend
Mendocino
Artists enclave about a 90-minute drive north along the coast. A fun day trip to window shop.
City advice
Don't miss
Weather Forecast - check before you head up!
10-Day Forecast from Pacific Pearl’s Weather Station -
https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/ca/the-sea-ranch/KCATHESE9?cm_ven=localwx_10day
https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/ca/the-sea-ranch
Average Monthly Climate at The Sea Ranch -
https://weatherspark.com/y/360/Average-Weather-in-Sea-Ranch-California-United-States-Year-Round
Don't miss
Trails, Hikes & Beaches of The Sea Ranch
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-WlGi6TuC1cSlCDBm40-jVbnh44Vbz6QqtUnejbq9sY/edit?usp=sharing
Book before you go
Weather
Weather - The weather at The Sea Ranch is wild and raw, which we love. But that also means it can be unpredictable.
10-Day Forecast from Pacific Pearl’s Weather Station -
https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/ca/the-sea-ranch/KCATHESE9?cm_ven=localwx_10day
https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/ca/the-sea-ranch
Average Monthly Climate at The Sea Ranch -
https://weatherspark.com/y/360/Average-Weather-in-Sea-Ranch-California-United-States-Year-Round
Book before you go
Food - Planning
Food - Gualala, the town 3 miles north of the house, has limited groceries (but lots of good restaurants). If you plan to cook or eat in, we would highly recommend that you shuttle up what you plan to use during your stay. A little pre-planning and buying before your trip might make your stay much more enjoyable.
Don't miss
Surf Market
The Whole Foods of Gualala!
https://surfsuper.com/
Book before you go
Cellular Coverage
There is limited cell coverage at the sea ranch. Most people with AT&T or Verizon have sporadic coverage. Those with other providers have zero. The house has a landline and wifi but don't expect to have cellular coverage (weather permitting, as both can go out during storms) during your stay. No cell coverage also applies to driving directions on the drive there too - at least after Bodega Bay. Print directions or download offline maps before you leave to be safe.
Book before you go
The Drive
The Drive - The Sea Ranch is only 110 miles north of San Francisco. But because the drive is mostly up Highway 1 along the coast, it can take you 3 hours, plus-minus 30 minutes to get there - assuming no traffic. The drive is beautiful but can be nerve-racking as some of it is along the ocean cliffs. In particular, there is a 10 mile stretch between Jenner and Fort Ross that will require your full attention. Drive slowly, put down your cell phone and know the weather during your planned drive.
https://goo.gl/maps/g7K9PKyZDa52