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Virtual Guidebook to the Northern California Coast and Coast Ranges
Sea Ranch
Sonoma County California
The Sea Ranch is a unique community that spreads along ten miles of coast near Gualala. Strict architectural controls mandate a distinctive "old barn" style featuring angular shapes in weathered wood.
Despite its environmentally sensitive design the development aroused concerns about public access to the coastline. Concessions were made and there are now several access points and a length of the California Coast Trail. An outgrowth of the Sea Ranch controversy was Propositon 20, passed by statewide ballot in 1972, setting up the Coastal Commission and strictly controlling development of the coast.
 | A section of the California Coastal Trail at Sea Ranch, north of Walk On Beach (June 27, 2011) | |
 | One of the Sea Ranch's publicly-accessible coves and beaches (June 27, 2011) | |
 | This cluster of buildings, dating from Sea Ranch's original period of construction, exemplify the weathered barn look (June 27, 2011) | |
 | The deep cove in front of Sea Ranch Lodge (June 27, 2011) | |