Sea Ranch Beaches
Sea Ranch is a private community of homes and condominiums that spreads along 10 miles of coast in northern Sonoma County. Sea Ranch buildings are known for their distinctive architecture which blends in with the tradition of coastal farms and ranches.
While much of the land at Sea Ranch is private property, there are five public parking areas and access pathways staggered along the length of the community which allow public access to 5 beaches and one bluff-top trail. These are operated by Sonoma County Parks. Beside each parking lot is a restroom.
There is also a trail leading out of Gualala Point Regional Park. Public access on the beaches along the Sea Ranch coast extends to the foot of the bluff or to the first line of vegetation. Most of the roads and trails in Sea Ranch are private property. Visitors should, of course, be respectful of private property rights.
Walk on Beach
The quarter-mile-long trail to Walk on Beach passes through a stand of Monterey cypress before descending a stairway from the bluff down to the sand. The trail also connects with Bluff Top Trail, another public access route. Bluff Top Trail winds along the coast to the north for 3 miles where it connects with Gualala Point Regional Park.
Walk on Beach is south of Deer Trail, north of Leeward Spur, 6.1 miles north of Sea Ranch Lodge.
Shell Beach
The black sand at Pebble Beach draws hikers and anglers, along with beach combers and birders. The quarter-mile long trail leads through a meadow and descends stairs to the beach. Visitors enjoy a nice sandy beach interrupted by occasional rocks. Sea stacks rise out of the water. At low tide the tide pools are fun to investigate.
Shell Beach is south of Whale Bone Reach, north of Deerfield Road, 4.75 miles north of Sea Ranch Lodge.
Stengel Beach
This little beach is a favorite along the Sea Ranch coast. The short trail from the parking lot off Wild Iris makes for quick access. Stairs provide the final descent to the sand. Rocky points guard either end of the beach and rocks offshore display dramatic scenes of crashing waves. A small, seasonal waterfall cascades onto the beach.
Stengel Beach is between Pine Meadow Road and Long Meadow Road, off Wild Iris, 3.3 miles north of Sea Ranch Lodge.
