Labor Day Weekend traditionally heralds the change of seasons. For Sea Ranch and Mendonoma region it means the end of “Fogust.” All summer long nature’s air conditioning fog has drifted in to cool our coast and veil our redwoods. Now as fall begins, temperatures even out, the vistas are clear and the fog bank sits off in the horizon ready for the occasional Indian Summer.
It is our chance to squeeze out one last weekend before the close of summer. We gather at picnics, barbecues, and block parties to chow down one more hamburger and hot dog. This last hoorah helps children brace for the change of seasons, and of course, the start of the new school year.
This year as before there will be plenty to keep you occupied, from free art tours, to open houses, hiking, and just plain fun at Sea Ranch and the Mendonoma area. We’ve gathered tips for celebrating the holiday and all the Labor Day Weekend events we could find and listed them here for you.
Which one will you attend?
Don’t forget to share below in our comments section your Labor Day Weekend adventures, no matter where you celebrated. We’d love to hear about your last hoorah before fall begins.
One-Eyed Jack Picnic Spot for Your Family Gathering
Are you gathering with many friends and family at Sea Ranch to celebrate the Labor Day Weekend?
Then you’ll want to contact the Sea Ranch Office and book a spot at One Eyed Jacks for your family picnic.
This popular family friendly spot is perfect for a party or celebration without worry about Sea Ranch’s noise restrictions. One Eyed Jacks park, nestled in among one of Sea Ranch’s most iconic cypress hedgerows, includes picnic tables, barbecues, a fenced playground, volley ball courts, and bocce ball court.
Art Tours Galore for Full Labor Day Weekend
Sea Ranch and neighboring communities have many art galleries. Many art tours occur during Labor Day weekend many art tours.
Art By The Sea: Sea Ranch – Gualala
A not-to-be-missed event is our annual Art by the Sea tour (Sea Ranch Art Tour) – Labor Day Weekend Saturday, Sunday and Monday, in Sea Ranch and Gualala on the beautiful Sonoma, Mendocino Coast.
Of course you’ll want to explore the incredible ensemble of work from 17 extraordinary artists. Included in the exhibitions is an array of mediums including oils, acrylics, watercolors, mixed media, sculpture, jewelry and photography. This amazing group of artists have been represented in acclaimed galleries throughout the United States and Canada including: New York, San Francisco, Charlotte, Vancouver, Dallas and Santa Barbara.
Engage and interact with the artists in an intimate setting in this free, self-guided tour. Tour Stops of Art by the Sea Tour include homes in The Sea Ranch community, private studios, and art galleries in Gualala’s Cypress Village Gallery District.
Of course you’ll be able purchase original works of art directly from the artists or commission new work. How could you resist?
Early Beginnings
Craig Gilliland of Spindrift Gallery and Paul and Carol Kozal of Studio 391 founded the Art by the Sea Ranch Tour in 2011. Together their vision was to create an exceptional arts event featuring a select number of invited artists recognized for talent and artistic achievement. They wanted to create a venue that would invite and encourage visitors to experience fine quality art while promoting engagement with the artists in a unique, intimate setting.
The Art by the Sea Collector’s guide includes a portfolio of some of the work of the artist participants and a tour map for the event. The Collector’s guide is available to download or you may obtain a printed copy at Spindrift Gallery, Studio 391, Placewares, Sea Ranch Lodge, Sprindrift Center for the Arts, Sunset Weekend, Art at the Source, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Mendocino Art Center, Sonoma County Tourism – Bodega Bay, The Sea Ranch Architecture Tour, and several other locations in the Sea Ranch and in the community of Gualala.
Studio Discovery Tour: Sonoma – Mendocino Coast
The Studio Discovery Tour takes place Labor Day Weekend and the weekend before. Artist studios are open each day from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
This free, self-guided tour along a 25-mile stretch of Highway 1, from The Sea Ranch to Point Arena, is the perfect way to spend a leisurely day or an entire weekend. The participating artists you meet along the way are happy to demonstrate the creation of their art and share their unique vision.
A free, full-color catalog will help you make the most of your tour. It contains a description of each artist, along with a detailed map and directions to each studio. While on the road, look for the bright yellow signs to help guide you along the way. Note that the catalog is a must when visiting artists on The Sea Ranch, since directional signs are not allowed along that section of Highway 1.
Plan Your Tour
Begin your adventure by stopping at the Discovery Gallery, 39140 South Highway 1, Gualala, CA. This gallery is located in the Seacliff Center, lower level, on the west side of Highway 1. You’ll be able to preview the work of Studio Tour artists and to pick up catalogs with maps.
Be sure you stop at any of the many locations for your catalog. Catalogs are available at Gualala Arts Center, Dolphin Gallery, Mendocino Art Center, Elk Artists Collective and various local galleries and businesses along the way.
You can also download the Studio Tour catalog in pdf format.
Check the websites StudioDiscoveryTour.com and NorthCoastArtistsGuild.com for updated information.
Labor Day Weekend Events at Sea Ranch and Mendonoma Region
Events for Saturday of the Labor Day Weekend
Hiking: Annual Great Sea Ranch Circumambulation, Moonraker Recreation Center, registration at 7:30 am
The Sea Ranch Great Circumambulation 2014 from Craig Tooley on Vimeo.
This is a Sea Ranch annual favorite. Hikers explore and celebrate the varied environments on The Sea Ranch, meet old friends and make new ones. Guests and residents alike hike the perimeter of TSR: about 21 miles of spectacular forest, hillside, meadow and bluff trails. And don’t forget to leash up your dog for the hike too.
Registration for this fun Labor Bay Weekend event is from 7:30 am to 7:45, with the hike stepping off at 8:00 am.
Are you Up for the Challenge?
The complete Circumambulation is a challenging hike. If you don’t want to do the full 21 mile route, you can do parts of it by starting or stopping at one of the rest stops:
- Moonraker Recreation Center (start at 8:00 am)
- Chapel parking lot (arrive by 9:15 am, limited parking)
- Gualala Point Park (arrive by 11:30 am) – lunch stop
- Dune Drift Close (arrive by 1:30 pm)
“Sag wagons” will be available at rest stops if you need a lift.
Circumambulation T-shirts, short or long sleeved, may be ordered at any of the rest stops. Please bring cash or check. The shirts will be available a few weeks after the event.
What to Bring
No worries about water, juice, cookies and restroom facilities as they will be available at the rest stops. Please wear adequate sunscreen and a hat, and bring water. By all means, bring a sack lunch without concern. The Circumambulation team will be happy to transport it for you.
All ambulators are invited to join the Trails Committee for a potluck dinner after the event.
For information and sign up, contact Judi Yeager at jayeager361@gmail.com / 785-3428. For questions about the Circumambulation, contact Paul Plakos, plplakos@mcn.org / 326- 7236.
Live Music: 215 MAIN, 7:30 pm-10:30 pm
Close the first night of your Labor Day Weekend by visiting 215 Main. Located in Point Arena it’s Mendonoma’s popular wine bar and hot destination. Enjoy live music that evening. Cover charge for the night is $8.00, and don’t forget they accept only cash or check.
To hear a sampling of Mad Cow Jazz Quintet, who frequently plays at 215 Main on the holiday and a video of showing their musical style just click here .
Of course you’ll want to chow down on their delicious panini. Or try any of their other savory and sweet offerings accompanied by your beverage of choice while tapping your toes.
Events for Sunday, Labor Day Weekend
Annual Equestrian Center Open House, 10:00 am
Equally fun is Sea Ranch’s annual Equestrian Center Open House. The stables are opened Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until noon at the Equestrian Center.
Moreover, snacks for visitors and carrots for horses will be provided (the horses love all the attention!). And without doubt you’ll have loads of fun bobbing for apples, playing horseshoes, and roping a steer all great fun for adults and children alike.
Stop by for riding demonstrations, equipment displays; learn about horse breeds and their care.
Please join us!
Sponsored by the Stables Advisory Committee.
Book Now for Labor Day Weekend!
As you can imagine Labor Day Weekend is one of the most popular times at Sea Ranch. If you wish to stay at Sea Ranch, that requires a bit of advanced pre-planning. This year most, if not all vacation rentals in the area are booked.
With this in mind you’ll want to get ahead of the curve and start planning for your three night vacation for Labor Day weekend. Be aware holiday the rates will be in effect.
So book your reservations now at Abalone Bay for your Labor Day Weekend!
Needless to say, we wish you all a wonderful time this weekend with family and friends as you welcome fall along the coast, or wherever you are.
And by all means, send us your Labor Day Weekend report in the comments section below.
[…] Day weekend is another extremely popular time at The Sea Ranch. Traditionally, Labor Day Weekend heralds the change of seasons. We strongly […]