How to Spend 3 Days in Sea Ranch, California
I live in San Francisco and whenever I need a break from the city, I almost always head north. As a hiker and cyclist, I love the nature and outdoors activities available in Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, and beyond—not to mention, there are also some pretty darn good restaurants and hotels in the area too. But when winter rolls around, I’m often craving something a bit more low-key; a weekend getaway with a travel itinerary that leaves plenty of room for reading and relaxing. This itinerary delivers just that. Read on for a relaxing, 48-hour travel itinerary in Sea Ranch, California, a small vacation community on the Mendocino Coast known for its architecture and nature.
Overview of the itinerary
Day 1: Lunch at Nick’s Cove in Tomales Bay; end at Sea Ranch Lodge
Day 2: Explore Sea Ranch, day trip to Point Arena, dinner at Gama
Day 3: Hike in Salt Point State Park and depart back to San Francisco
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Day 1: Drive north and stop for seafood in Tomales Bay
Start your getaway from San Francisco or the Bay Area, and leave early so you can take the (slightly longer) route up Highway 1. Although officially the Pacific Coast Highway ends in San Francisco (and begins in San Diego), the stretch from San Francisco north to Oregon delivers much of the same beautiful, dramatic, coastal scenery. In other words: it’s a scenic drive worth the detour.
Early afternoon: Stop at Nick’s Cove for lunch
Break up your drive with a lunch pitstop in the Point Reyes / Tomales Bay area at Nick’s Cove. Although today it’s a restaurant and hotel, it got its start in the 1930s as a herring smokehouse and curing facility. Eventually, it evolved into a seafood shack and bar. Until recently, it had a reputation for being in a great location, but having mediocre food.
Fortunately, in 2023, that changed when the restaurant brought on celebrity chef Chris Cosentino to revamp the menu. Drawing from both the rich natural bounty of Tomales Bay, and his New England roots, diners can now expect a menu of excellently executed seafood classics like fresh oysters, crab louie salad, and (according to my born-in-Boston husband) the best lobster roll west of the Mississippi.
Note: in January 2024, the iconic boat shack at the end of Nick’s Cove’s pier burned down. However, the restaurant is still operating. Swing by and support them.
Afternoon: Sunset at Sea Ranch Lodge
After a filling and leisurely lunch, continue the rest of the drive up the coast to Sea Ranch where you’ll check in either to a vacation rental or the newly re-opened Sea Ranch Lodge. The small community of Sea Ranch, on California’s Mendocino Coast, has long been one of the area’s best kept secrets. It was initially developed in 1963 by Lawrence Halprin as an intentional vacation community with a unique ethos and distinct aesthetic. From the start, Sea Ranch focused on minimal alteration of the coastal landscape during while employing modernist architectural styles. Since then, more than 1,800 homes have been built, each one blending beautifully into their tranquil surrounds with aged wood exteriors, large bay windows, and slow-slung designs. Although most will opt to stay in one of the vacation homes in the community, the Lodge now offers a great option for couples and small.
Tip: Try your best to arrive before sunset so you can enjoy a true sundowner with unobstructed coastal views on the lodge’s patio before heading in for dinner at their restaurant (their apps are the star) or a more casual meal at their bar.
>> Related: Read our full review of The Sean Ranch Lodge
Evening: Dinner at the Lodge or your rental
There’s not a whole lot else around Sea Ranch besides the community and Lodge—but that’s kind of the point. Rather than spend more time driving after what’s already been a long-ish drive, treat yourself to dinner at the Lodge or at your vacation rental. Guests at the newly reopened Sea Ranch Lodge will likely opt for the first option, since rooms don’t have a kitchenette (only a mini fridge, kettle, and coffee set up). Personally, my favorite dishes were from the appetizer side of the menu, such as the mushroom bucatini. Order a few and share, family style, with your crew.
Day 2: Explore Sea Ranch and Point Arena
Next: take a leisurely start to your day. Grab breakfast at the lodge, make coffee, and (if it’s a Saturday) join for a session of community yoga at the Lodge. If that’s not your thing, take your coffee to go and take a leisurely, coastal hike on Sea Ranch’s trails as the fog rolls out, or play a round of golf at the their golf course, The Sea Ranch Links. Whatever you choose, this is your time to slowly enjoy Sea Ranch and its surrounds, which is kind of the whole point of taking a getaway here.
Afternoon: Head out on a mini-road trip to Point Arena
Once you’ve gotten your fill of the slow life, hop in the car to explore north of the community. You’ll be driving about an hour north, with plenty of pit stops in between, including:
See The Sea Ranch Cathedral: One of the most iconic landmarks of the Sea Ranch community, it’s worth a quick stop to see this quirky attraction, most notable for its unique shape and history.
Eat lunch at Trink’s in Gualala: If you haven’t already eaten, the town of Gualala a good place to stop for lunch. Trink’s Cafe is a solid choice for sandwiches and classic diner breakfast options. There is also a gas station here.
Hike on Pelican Bluffs: If you need to stretch your legs, take an easy 1-mile long walk on this dramatic stretch of coast.
Visit Point Arena lighthouse: Stop for a quick tour of this historic lighthouse, which also happens to be an excellent place to watch for whales between December - February.
Eat dinner at Gama in Point Arena: End in time for dinner at Gama (opens at 5pm), a Japanese-style izakaya and sushi spot—and easily one of the best meals along this stretch of coast. Of all the stops on this mini road-trip, this is the one you won’t want to skip. If you’re looking to kill a little time before dinner, The New Museum Brewers & Blenders (open from 4pm Wednesday - Friday; 12pm on Saturdays) is an excellent place to grab a beer and snack.
Caution: Highway 1 is windy and very dark after sunset, so make sure your DD is comfortable making the one-hour-long drive back to Sea Ranch after dinner.
Day 3: Depart + hike in Salt Point State Park
Embrace a leisurely pace for your morning once again, and get a late start back to the city. Grab breakfast and a to-go snack from the lodge and plan to make your first stop just a few minutes down the road at Salt Point State Park. Here, you can either take it easy with a stroll down to Stump Beach, or opt for a longer hike like the 3.4 mile trail along the coast and down to Stump Beach or the 4.5 mile Pygmy Forest Trail.
After, continue another 10 minutes down the road to Timber Cove, a coastal hotel with a casual restaurant open to non-guests, or continue about an hour south to Jenner and grab a coffee and a sandwich at Cafe Aquatica. If you’re lucky, there might just be a bit of live music playing as you watch the kayakers in the Bay.
Additional tips
This area of the coast can get pretty foggy and wet, so be sure to bring appropriate shoes and a rain jacket for the weather—even in (especially in) the summer. Reception can be spotty in places, so I’d also recommend downloading the region’s map on your phone before you leave.
Note as well that while this area is fairly under-the-radar, it’s still popular enough among “those who know” to warrant booking well in advance, especially if you’re planning a trip for a holiday weekend.
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