What is Sea Ranch Abalone Bay

 

The Sea Ranch Philosophy and Vision

The Sea Ranch community established in 1965 began as a radical experiment that merged architecture and ecology.  For ten miles along the wild stretch of the northern Sonoma coast, this unique development championed a departure from suburbia. Its covenant restrictions for the planned community explicitly required all to “live lightly on the land.” Additionally, we must seek out ecological harmony in both construction and land use. Unique in its vision its intent was to build a community dedicated to a common effort, an effort to protect and preserve the natural character of a remarkably beautiful and appealing place.

Our Core Values

The Sea Ranch philosophy and vision resonated strongly with us. For that reason, we purchased our home, Sea Ranch Abalone Bay. Recognizing that there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution we value the investment of time and energy necessary to truly understand the needs of our community and our individual guests. This personalized attention has proven successful.  For more than 8 years, Abalone Bay has maintained an ever-increasing rebooking rate plus an ever-growing following in its Social Media platforms (including Facebook , Instagram) and Inner Circle Membership.

Vision Statement

Sea Ranch Abalone Bay is a family-owned vacation rental business. Our vision of continuous value-driven improvement guides our business development.  As a member of The Sea Ranch community, our vision is to assure all our guests not only respect neighboring members of our Sea Ranch community, but are also familiar and compliant with the community’s Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions. Further, as a member of short-term rental owners who rent responsibly, we shall advocate, educate, and celebrate the short-term rental industry.

Think Globally: Recommitment to the Vision and Declaration of a Climate Emergency

As we now face the continued threat of global warming and rising seas, and frequent wildfires, Abalone Bay recommits ourselves to the original covenant of The Sea Ranch. Further, we also declare a climate emergency. Based on the science before us, we promise actionable steps to stop the climate emergency we now face.

To that end, Sea Ranch Abalone Bay Vacation Rental has joined Tourism Declares. This initiative supports tourism businesses, organizations, and individuals that declare a climate emergency and take purposeful action to reduce their carbon emissions. It is based on the advice from the goal of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to cut global carbon emissions to 55% below 2017 levels by 2030.

Act Locally

We advance our global vision by acting locally in unison with Sonoma County Tourism and Sonoma County Regional Parks to promote principles for minimizing tourism impacts on our outdoors. 

We also encourage each of our guests who stay at Abalone Bay to do the same.

Sign the Travel Kindly Pledge

Download a personal copy of the Travel Kind Pledge.

For that reason, we donate a portion of our proceeds of your guest rental directly back to the people of Mendonoma.

Activities and organizations Supported

Point Arena High School Boosters Club 

Coastal Seniors

The Sea Ranch Chapel

Action Network

 Redwood Coast Humane Society

 

Our Ethics

Abalone Bay owners, Jorge, and Donna Martinez firmly believe in maintaining professional standards. We model our code after the Vacation Rental Managers Association’s code of ethics. Abalone Bay exists to serve as a vehicle to increase public awareness of vacation rental lodging. We strive to enhance our business through continued education, strong professional standards, fair marketing, community involvement, and industry networking. We aspire to observe this spirit in all of our activities. Furthermore,  we strive to conduct our business ethically in accordance with the aspirational Articles set forth below. These Articles establish guidelines or ideals that we shall strive to attain in an effort to raise the level of professionalism and perceived value of service within the vacation rental industry.

Articles  

Abalone Bay Owners, Jorge, and Donna Martinez, and all employees of Sea Ranch Abalone Bay shall endeavor to:

1. Become and remain informed on matters affecting the vacation rental industry in their community, state, and nation.
2. Refrain from making false or misleading statements or unsolicited criticism of other individuals or companies working within the vacation rental industry.
3. If an opinion is sought about another vacation rental practitioner, its business, or its business practices, any comments should be offered in an objective, professional manner.
4.  Eliminate in their communities any practices which may be damaging to the public or may bring discredit to the vacation rental industry.
5. Set a positive example for the industry by scrupulously abiding by all state and local laws and regulations and professional standards governing vacation rentals and the conduct of the vacation rental industry. Abalone Bay shall be proactive regarding the establishment and improvement of policies and procedures regulating the vacation rental industry at the local, state, and national level.
6.  Share our experiences with other members of the vacation rental industry with the express goal of elevating the overall level of service performed and the resultant public awareness and recognition of the value of the industry overall.
7.  Not seek an unfair advantage over competitors and should conduct their businesses so as to avoid controversies with others in the vacation rental industry.
8. Treat our guests/customers honestly and fairly.
9.  Not exaggerate, misrepresent, or conceal pertinent facts relating to our property to all affected parties, including actual or potential guests/customers.
10.  Not deny equal professional services to any person for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. We shall refrain from discriminatory decisions based upon the above criteria or that of any other protected class.
11. Maintain a level of competent service in keeping with the highest standards of the vacation rental industry. Abalone Bay shall not present ourselves as having expertise in fields beyond our abilities and shall not undertake to provide professional services concerning our property or its value where we have a present or contemplated interest unless such interest is specifically disclosed to all affected parties.
12.  Not recommend or suggest to a guest, client, or customer the use of services of another organization or business in which they have a direct interest or in which they receive a fee without disclosing such interest at the time of the recommendation. 
13.  Present an accurate picture of our rental offerings in all advertising and representations to the public.
14. Assure that all financial obligations to guests be in writing in a form that expresses the exact agreement, including any terms or conditions. A copy of each agreement shall be provided to the respective party upon signature of such agreement.
15. Be in compliance with all local zoning and requirements, and The Sea Ranch Home Owners Association rules and regulations.

Our Mission

Our mission is to:

• Provide excellence in services and relaxation for our guests
• Support a vibrant local and regional economy
• Demonstrate leadership and innovation in sustainable practices of business and community commitment
• Rent responsibly, ethically, and illuminate the benefits short-term rentals have on local entrepreneurs, local communities, local economies, and travel experiences.
• Provide  for our guests an eco-friendly accommodation

Measurement of Goals

Therefore, guided by our values, vision,  and ethics we accomplish our mission by supporting locally owned businesses and organizations by the following.

Goals:

• Utilizing their products and services to sustain a vacation home of excellent quality for our guests
• Raising awareness of our guests to the many excellent benefits of our locally owned businesses and organizations
• Guests actively supporting nonprofits that support the well-being, health, and education of the Mendonoma community
• Actively sponsoring and contributing to local cultural, social, sustainable, and environmental initiatives that benefit the community
• Assure our guests and website visitors develop a sense of trust in our honor.
• Assure our guests appreciate, understand, and respect The Sea Ranch philosophy of “Living lightly on the land.”
• Make Abalone Bay a more sustainable travel choice for our guests’ vacations.

 

About Sea Ranch and Mendonoma Community

Understanding Sea Ranch’s sense of place helps to gain a deeper understanding of our vision for Abalone Bay. It also explains why it is a desirable vacation spot.

The Sea Ranch remains an unincorporated coastal community in the northernmost reach of Sonoma County. The drive north to Sea Ranch takes nearly three hours from San Francisco Airport.  The first leg may take you through the heart of California’s wine country.  The last leg with the dramatic beauty of Highway 1’s Coastal /Shoreline Highway makes for a memorable road trip 

Mendonoma

Further north is The Gualala River and township of Gualala which make The Sea Ranch’s northern boundary. The Sea Ranch, its adjoining unincorporated community of Gualala in Mendocino County, and neighboring communities in northern coastal Sonoma County and the southern Mendocino County comprise what its members affectionately call, “Mendonoma.” Mendonoma offers one of the most natural settings along the northern California coast.

Where the action is

Additionally, the Mendonoma communities provide access to not only local commerce, but also to culture, and social services. For example, the visitors will enjoy the shopping in the Cypress Village Center with its boutiques and art galleries. Next, there is, of course, the Gualala Arts Center. Further, a visit to the Sea Ranch Chapel offers meditative respite in an otherwise hurried life.

 

About Sea Ranch Abalone Bay

Sea Ranch Abalone Bay, our oceanfront vacation rental home, overlooks the northern California coastline of the Pacific Ocean from its bluff perch.  Coupled with its direct access to the ocean bluff trail and ocean guests enjoy a variety of outdoor experiences. Guests come from as close as the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento Valley areas of northern California. Some come as far away as Europe with their families and pets. Naturally, visitors come to our pristine rugged coastline to enjoy its Zenful surroundings. Abalone Bay guests enjoy direct access to nature.  They enjoy, even more, our attention to detail in Abalone Bay. The amenities of our home provide guests with a relaxing holiday experience.

Respect 

For Nature

The Sea Ranch’s unique character is one that embraces a vision of respect nature. That respect is inclusive of the land, and the ocean it borders.

For Neighbors

As a residential community, respect for neighbors is also critical.  Our community is guided by the founding precepts of  “the preservation of the character and benefits of the natural coastal environment for the present and future enjoyment of all who acquire property within The Sea Ranch.” All owners, “by virtue of their interest and participation in The Sea Ranch, are entitled to the reasonable enjoyment of the natural benefits and surroundings of The Sea Ranch.” 

Rule 6.6

Therefore,  our vision is to assure all our guests not only respect neighboring members of our Sea Ranch community, but are also familiar and compliant with the community’s Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions, most especially Rule 6.6 Nuisance Abatement, Prevention, and Penalties. 

 

Abalone Bay originally designed by John Fisher.  Moreover, Fisher is known for his concert hall and theaters. Much like the proscenium of a theater, the house provides a stage from which to experience nature. Cedar paneling throughout mimics the redwoods and hedgerows nearby.  Abalone Bay’s skylights and dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows bathe you in natural light. The kitchen with its amenities is the perfect hub for the cook. And for the outdoor cook, grill delicious fish, burgers, veggies, and more on the Char-Broil grill in the private courtyard designed by Steve Brodie Architecture and Design. 

Obie Bowman, FAIA

In 2022 we completed a second phase of improvements designed by famed architect, Obie Bowman, FAIA. Those improvements included the addition of a 2-car garage, a breezeway, distinctive in design and architectural continuity, the addition of a large picture window to the west, a cantilevered large gas fireplace with steel surround and conversion of the original garage into a game room. The game room’s design includes a  framed window bench that conceals an on-demand water heater and heating ducts for the game room. Sky lights provide added light making the unique space warm and welcoming.

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