Must-Have Things in Your Sea Ranch Packing List
Life at The Sea Ranch and surrounding towns along the Mendonoma Coast tend to be very laid back and casual. Unless you are attending a special event such as a wedding, casual wear will be perfect.
To make sure you have all you need, here is our recommended Sea Ranch packing list for your vacation at Abalone Bay.
If you’re concerned about having enough space in your suitcase check out our previous post: 5 Things to Cross off Your Sea Ranch Abalone Bay Packing List.
Sea Ranch Packing List Includes:
1 – Layered clothing: Light shirts with a jacket, sweater, or sweatshirt
Being on the coast it frequently is windy. During the summer months, it is often cool and foggy in the early mornings and evenings while sunny in the afternoon. We suggest a polo or tee-shirt paired with a sweatshirt or sweater.
September through October is our warmest months, often with little fog. But the evenings can still be cool. Winter months are rainy with foggy or overcast clouds for most of the day (when not enduring a drought).
Jacket or Hoodie for all kinds of weather
A light jacket or heavier jacket with a removable and wearable lining is advisable. A windbreaker or sweatshirt will help when the coastal breezes kick up on the coast. It will also be helpful for when the fog is blown in or out.
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2 – Comfortable shoes and socks
In your Sea Ranch packing list, you’ll want shoes for hiking and/or jogging the ocean bluff trails. With the drought, we haven’t had much rain to muddy up the trails. However, the trails can be wet with the dew or drizzle from the fog. So you’ll want shoes that are also waterproof and easily cleaned.
Sandals or other casual shoes will be perfect for going into town for shopping, or out to dinner at one of the restaurants.
If you are attending a wedding at Sea Ranch it will most likely be outside. You’ll want shoes whose heels won’t aerate the fields or get stuck in vole and gopher holes.
3 – Hiking, jogging wear, and equipment
Sea Ranch has 40 miles of trails along the ocean bluffs and in the redwood groves that are perfect for hiking or jogging. While the trails are generally easy to navigate, you may wish to pack walking sticks.
You’ll find your causal walking slacks or jeans will be perfect for in town wear as well. In the warmer months, shorts are perfect if you stay on the paths.
4 – Food Items for your special meals
If you are planning to cook your meals at Abalone Bay you’ll want to bring along your menus’ ingredients. Abalone Bay has a large refrigerator with freezer. We have cupboard storage in our hallway pantry for storage.
There are two supermarkets located in nearby Gualala.
- The Surf Market on the west side of Highway 1 offers many specialty items, local wines, and plenty of organic, locally grown items. During the summer and early fall vacation time they also serve up freshly made BBQ. Its ambiance is reminiscent of Trader Joe or Whole Foods.
- The Gualala Super across the street also offers items grown locally. Its ambiance is more a locally focused grocery store.
If you are seeking a special item and cannot locate it in one store, we recommend you try the other.
Please be aware that the prices tend to be higher than in the big city stores or big box stores. BUT when you shop local you are giving back to the community. And you will be enjoying the true taste of Mendonoma.
And don’t forget to bring along reusable shopping bags! Otherwise, you’ll be charged for the use of plastic bags.
If you forget to it include yours in your Sea Ranch packing list, we have plenty for your use. AND you may take it home as a reminder of your stay at Abalone Bay!
5 – Swimsuit and suntan lotion
You’ll definitely not want to forget your swimsuit in your Sea Ranch packing list!
Abalone Bay has a hot tub. Sea Ranch has three recreation centers, each with their own pools. Ohlson Recreation Center is a short walk from Abalone Bay.
And don’t forget the suntan lotion. Remember you can get a sunburn even when it is foggy out!
While we provide spa towels for the hot tub, you may wish to pack your own pool tools.
6- Tennis and golf equipment
Do you play tennis or golf? Then, by all means, don’t forget to pack your sporting clothes, your racks and/or clubs. The recreation centers all have tennis courts. The Sea Ranch Golf Links is just a 5-minute drive away.
7 – Camera
Of course, you’ll want to have a camera to capture all the memories of your stay. In fact, you just might be lucky enough to snap a picture of a humpback whale leaping out of the ocean right in front of you!
For sure the sunsets will be marvelous.
And of course, you’ll want to remember the smiling faces of your friends and family, and even your dog, who joined you on your trip.
8 – Fishing Tackle and/or Diving Equipment- AND Fishing Licenses/Tags
You’ll want to make sure you have current licenses and tags for fishing and any diving for spearfishing (note abalone harvesting is closed). You’ll also want to pack your fishing gear needed to catch that 18-pound lingcod off the rocks. The diving and fishing sports enthusiast will appreciate Abalone Bay’s oceanfront access.
Just make sure everything is current and legal.
9 – Pack your curiosity
You and your family, including your dog, will love to explore The Sea Ranch’s natural setting. You may encounter deer along the way.
Watch the seals at the Marine Sanctuary just steps away.
Visit tide pools to discover hidden treasures at low tide.
Binoculars are made available for your use at Abalone Bay. All you need to add to your Sea Ranch packing list is your inquisitive minds. Abalone Bay’s library offers local fauna and flora guidebooks, books on hiking trails, local area history books, as well as quick reading novels and children’s books.
10- Great expectations for a wonderful stay
We certainly want your stay with us at Abalone Bay to be relaxing, rejuvenating and memorable. Our amenities offered is our way of helping you not to worry about the little things.
We can also offer you many suggestions for that perfect night out, that exciting excursion, or where the kids will really have a grand time. If there is anything we missed be sure to contact our property manager.
We are all here to help you have a wonderful vacation!
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Many fishermen fail to realize that hooks that have been heavily used can become blunt or twisted, which reduces
their effectiveness. If they will still scratch your nail then they are good
to go, but if they are too blunt to do even that, then it is time to
change them up. It can also be very easy to get your line snagged and lose your bait altogether.
Excellent point! The other issue we’ve discovered while fishing at Abalone Bay is the larger fish, such as ling code, love to swim deep and hide in the rock crevices just off shore. We have lost many a fish-and the lure that way! See more about diving and fishing on our page:
https://searanchabalonebay.com/diving-and-fishing/