Holidays are coming soon which means it’s time to go to The Sea Ranch for your next vacation. But I am here to offer you five reasons NOT to stay at Sea Ranch.
“DON’T DO IT!”
The last thing you want to do is select the wrong vacation location for your next holiday now that you can finally get out and about safely! While Sea Ranch is one of my favorite places to go, you on the other hand may find it a terrible disappointment.
But Why You Ask
I do have my reasons for making such a bold statement. Just take a peek at the list below of five reasons why we recommend you think twice before you make your vacation plans to visit The Sea Ranch.
1. The Endless Summer Was NOT Based on The Sea Ranch Beaches
Not all California beaches are created the same. If you are hoping to relive the movie classic Endless Summer, we recommend you try a beach much farther south at the historic Dana Point Surf Break on Salt Creek Beach, in Laguna Niguel, California.
Or if you long for the colorful vibe of a Malibu Beach Blanket Bingo crowd…
Or Huntington Beach with its coconut oil perfumed bodies lined up for a chance to cool off in the tepid currents of the So-Cal waters…
Then The Sea Ranch beaches are definitely not the place for you!
Beaches at Sea Ranch Mean Sturdy Shoes and Sweaters
You’ll want to pack a warm sweater for your summer’s vacation. Summer is when our cool on shore breezes push the fog bank up and over the shoreline.
Fog creeps in over Black Point Beach.
Chairs in front of Sea Ranch Abalone Bay vacation rental become enveloped by the fog.
Tread lightly and carefully while you explore our coast as it can also be dangerous!
Getting to a private sandy beach frequently requires climbing over the inter-coastal rocky shores by way of private stairs.
Beaches Are Lonely
When you do go to Sea Ranch brace yourself. You may end up being the only one there on the beach as you take in all its solitary beauty.
Perhaps, if brave enough to traverse our rocky shoreline and to challenge the cold with 45-55ºF waters (and that takes into account ocean warming!), you may be able to catch a wave or two.
The best thing of it all will be that it’s your curl, without the fight to ride it in.
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Later in the day, when the fog lifts and the sun dips down painting the sky with its vibrant hues, the sunset will be all yours to enjoy as well.
2. You Must Endure the Long and Winding Road To Arrive
A word of caution: the roads to arrive at Sea Ranch are long, twisty, windy and steep. Should you cringe to learn this is the only way to get to Sea Ranch Abalone Bay vacation rental we recommend you reconsider your trip plans
Consider Other Vacation Options
It becomes even more critical to consider other vacation options when the road becomes heavily congested, though, not in the usual way.
An Alternative Vacation Option to Sea Ranch
If clinging to the edge of the world with bovine road blocks is not your preferred roadtrip adventure, we recommend you book a holiday in North Dakota. It claims Highway 46 is the longest straight road in the US and Canada.
Or, perhaps you prefer the joy of company that you’d find while driving the friendly roads of the big cities.
3. Reasons Not to Stay in Sea Ranch Is Its Architecture
Sea Ranch architecture is not for everyone. If your idea of the perfect vacation rental is a home with colonial cottage charm, fancy flowers, and trimmed gardens, then Sea Ranch is not for you.
You’ll be hard pressed to find a big beautiful Federal Colonial home with its bright red brick front.
Missing in The Sea Ranch community will be homes painted brightly.
Rather, you’ll discover homes that are distinctively simple in style and structure. In fact, they are so distinctive to have earned the right to be called by their own architectural style – The Sea Ranch Style. It’s described as “a hybrid modernist and regionalist architectural style” that “blended social interest and ecological sensitivity.” The goal of the community is to live lightly on the land.
Design historian David S. Gebhard, described The Sea Ranch as “the California architectural monument of the 1960s.” The homes here are meant to be small, and to blend into the environment. Rather than change the landscape to fit the house design, the house is designed to be one with the landscape. They are usually small, open to the fields, coast, and redwoods.
4. Respect for Nature and Neighbors Is Expected
Sea Ranch is a place of Zenful respect to both nature and neighbors alike. If a community festival filled with crowds is your fun-filled vacation preference, then you need to find another location.
Spring Break Partying Brings Disappointment
Are exciting parties with all your pals your idea of a great time? Is this how you toast your long lasting friendships? Then we strongly recommend you find another location. Sea Ranch is definitely not the best fit for you.
Pictured above is more Sea Ranch’s style of celebration. We recommend you choose the best location that actually best meets your style.
All Must Follow the Regulations
Sea Ranch’s Home Owners Association’s Rules and Regulations must be followed by owner and guests alike. The community’s goal is to assure that everyone can hear the ocean in the back ground. Neighbors won’t have to worry about drones flying over their homes at odd hours. The wild fox, deer, and turkeys will be the only ones passing by your windows.
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5. Reasons not to Stay at Sea Ranch – Your Large Group Won’t Fit
Generally, most of the homes in Sea Ranch pride themselves as having a small foot print. Usually homes that are available for your vacation rental pleasure have fewer than four bedrooms. This makes hosting a large group of your family and friends all in one space difficult. And while there may be that one or two homes that have set up the home to be able to double stack and squeeze bodies into just about every corner, we expect that practice to come to a quick halt soon. It is anticipated that both our Home Owners Association and the Sonoma County will place occupancy limits in The Sea Ranch houses that are available for vacation rental use.
An example of a vacation rental home with three bedrooms, that hosts no more than six people, including children, is our Sea Ranch Abalone Bay Home.
Scroll through the floor plans to see the various rooms available in Sea Ranch Abalone Bay.
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But Everyone Wants the Wrong Vacation Location
What do you do when you and your party still want to go to Sea Ranch though it may be wrong vacation location? When you do long for a Sea Ranch vacation that brings everyone together, we recommend you book many individual homes. Then determine how you will divide all the people to fit the limits of each of those homes. Just be aware though, you’ll need to think and plan carefully how you all may gather together as one big group. We recommend you consider a picnic at One Eyed Jacks. Just remember to book the space ahead of time.
Another option would be to reserve tables at the recently remodeled and reopened Sea Ranch Lodge Restaurant.
Or arrange to meet at an agreed upon point on the ocean bluff trail to toast the sunset together as you all swap stories and retell your day’s adventures.
Or Just Go Somewhere Else
Otherwise, my last recommendation is to just skip Sea Ranch all together this year and go east with your crew to our good friend, Teena’s Four Seasons Lodge in New Hampshire’s North Conway Lodge. We invite you to explore her accommodations that allow for all of you to be bunked in one spot.
Never Mind Those Reasons not to Stay at Sea Ranch
If after all this you still insist you must enjoy your next vacation at The Sea Ranch, we certain understand. Actually, we really do believe that Sea Ranch and especially our Abalone Bay vacation rental, can be a terrific location for your next vacation.
Go Anyway!
Its oceanfront location allows you to experience nature at your doorstep. Our recent renovation and remodel now offer you an expanded view of oceanfront vistas as well as added space with a game room. Up to six guests sleep comfortably in any of the three bedrooms. Plus it’s dog-friendly!
In fact, for all the downsides I listed here, they may actually be the reasons that draw you back to The Sea Ranch and our own Abalone Bay over and over again. While it may have its shortcomings, we have many repeat visitors who enjoy the location and the home for exactly the reasons we listed.
A wonderful Sea Ranch Vacation at Abalone Bay means you’ll enjoy
- Peace and solitude as you enjoy nature at your doorstep
- Beaches all to yourself to marvel as the whales swim past and seals sunbathe on the rocks
- Historical homes in a region that is renown for its focus on assuring the homes are harmonious with the landscape
- A place where everyone has the opportunity to be enveloped by the sounds and sights of our incredible Sonoma Coastal Community.
- A unique cozy location that allows you, your friends, and your family members an opportunity to reconnect.
Our takeaway: You’ll really love it at the Sea Ranch and you won’t want to leave! After all, the last thing you want to do is select the wrong vacation location for your next holiday!
I cannot wait to sneak off to Cali and experience Sea Ranch! I’ll be in touch to reserve some dates soon! Your home looks gorgeous!