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Sea Ranch Rental View of Pacific Ocean
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  • DestinationsUnited StatesCalifornia

    The Best Sea Ranch Rentals On The California Coast

    Kristen Pettineo
    June 25, 2022

    If you haven’t heard of the Sea Ranch in California, you’re in for a treat. It might be Sonoma County’s best-kept secret. The tiny town — population just 1,305 — is perched on a beautiful stretch of rugged coastline overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The private, environmentally planned community sits along California’s famous Highway One, so getting there is definitely half the fun. Speaking of that, Sea Ranch is about a 2.5-hour drive from San Francisco, nestled among California’s legendary redwoods.

    Videos by TravelAwaits

    Sea Ranch is secluded, exclusive, and provides an extremely chill getaway. It’s a perfect landing spot after a day of wine-tasting around the lush vineyards of Northern California. If that’s not your speed, Sea Ranch is also home to some great public access trails for hiking and biking and the 195-acre Gualala Point Regional Park.

    It’s estimated that as many as half the properties in Sea Ranch are actually vacation rentals. We scoured Vrbo listings and cross-referenced them against guest reviews to find our favorites for you. But a word of warning: if you rent one of these vacation homes, you may just want to stay in all day. And we wouldn’t blame you one bit. Here are our top beach rentals in Sea Ranch, California.

    Standing Wave Cottage$290/nightly avg

    The owners call this gorgeous, cozy cottage “Standing Wave.” We can see why. Imagine waking up and enjoying a cup of coffee on that patio — it feels like you could reach out and touch the ocean! 

    Just an FYI, this guesthouse is located on the owners’ private property, but it’s separated from the main house by a large meadow and rolling hills. The cottage happens to be on one of the largest oceanfront lots in Sea Ranch, so if picturesque views are your thing, you really can’t go wrong with a stay here.

    Dreaming of The Sea Ranch – your dream vacation awaits you
    219 reviews
    Cottage
    2 Guests
    1 Bathroom
    Top guest reviews
    A return visit, quiet and excellent
    The property is located on its on cliff and just a short walk to the sea ranch walking trails. It felt super secluded and special. We really enjoyed our stay. The interior was clean and modern, with huge windows overlooking the water. The bathroom was enormous and felt spa-like. I will recommend this place to all friends looking for a quite weekend by the ocean.
    Beautiful views and very responsive hosts!
    We loved our time here! Everything exceptional!
    The view is spectacular. It was very relaxing and the host was very prompt with their communication. I would highly recommend it!!!
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    from USD 290
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    Elegant Ocean View Home$398/nightly avg

    Soak up the sunshine in this light-filled home with views of the Pacific Ocean. This 1,700-square-foot property boasts hardwood floors, sophisticated design, vaulted ceilings, huge windows, and a fireplace. Feel like grilling your dinner or taking a dip in the hot tub? Good news — you can do both while you’re staying here. 

    With more than 150 reviews and a 4.9 rating, we clearly aren’t the only ones dreaming of a visit. Guests praised the property’s “serene” nature and beautiful surroundings.

    Dreaming of The Sea Ranch – your dream vacation awaits you
    175 reviews
    Private vacation home
    2 Bedrooms
    2 Bathrooms
    Top guest reviews
    This house was beautiful from the light fixtures to utensils. Loved seeing the birds and wild life. It was very clean and quiet. Some things to know….Pros – Hands down best bed I’ve ever slept in! Luxurious pillows , blankets and sheets. Jacuzzi was always ready to dip into. Netflix, Amazon, direct tv offered many choices for evening wind down. Well stocked kitchen and bathrooms Cons- Getting to beaches not that easy. There is always at least half mile walk to get to beach. Not bad but can be tasking if you are carrying beach chair, beach bag and snacks. I also had my Pug with me and at times had to carry as steps or trail steep in places. Biggest con about house was that the freezer was so full I barely had room to put my own groceries away. I cleaned out some of the food that was molded. Patio furniture not comfortable. Cushions are thin and hairs hard on your back.
    This is a beautiful property in an absolutely perfect location. My husband and I stayed with our pup and couldn’t have had a better time. The home is comfortable and has one of the best equipped kitchens we have ever had in a rental. The home is exactly as described and shown in the pictures. The owner is very responsive and kind. We look forward to coming back!
    From the moment you enter this beyond beautiful home, you feel the special hospitality! Every area of this beautiful home is carefully curated for comfort! The beds are so supper comfy-mattress/linens/pillows-all beautiful. The kitchen is a dream! Thoughtful touches, everything you could ever hope to have in a your kitchen at home-cookbooks/margarita glasses/every gadget you can think of, a fantastic range, and excellent knives! When you stay at this beautiful home you will be in for a treat when you take a bath-I won’t spoil it for you. Aww…the patio-one of the best I’ve seen in Sea Ranch. Bonus, the neighbors are friendly, the parking is covered, and close. Did I mention that when you enter the front steps you are greeted with what my friend calls a place to rest your eyes. Everything is so very lovely. I have sent the listing to several friends so they too can enjoy this luxury resort home.
    This home was perfect for our anniversary weekend! The home is beautiful and comfortable. We appreciated the referral for our anniversary dinner, St. Orres was incredible. We will be returning in the future.
    We enjoyed our stay and the surrounding seaside destinations.
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    from USD 398
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    True Ocean Bluff Ultra-Romantic Home$595/nightly avg

    According to the listing, “WOW” is the first thing guests usually say when they enter this home. And we believe it. Nestled in a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this place is definitely a showstopper. 

    The main living area has gorgeous panoramic views of the sea. Imagine having a glass of wine on the huge outdoor patio — you can practically smell the sea salt in the air. The owners say this is the site for you when “only the best will do.” They might be right.

    Dreaming of Sea Ranch – your dream vacation awaits you
    161 reviews
    Private vacation home
    4 Guests
    2 Bedrooms
    2 Bathrooms
    Top guest reviews
    Wow! This is truly a once in a life time experience.
    The Sea Ranch is tranquil and unique from an architectural perspective. The property at which we stayed was a very fine example of that. Our host was obliging and very helpful. We look forward to returning.
    Brian was a more than helpful host. Thank you for the anniversary gift it meant alot to us. This is a place you won’t forget !!!
    As usual, Brian was his gracious self. He just makes the stay feel like you are at your own home.
    Gorgeous inside and out, with superb service from the owner. Will return again and again.
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    from USD 595
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    Quintessential Sea Ranch Home, Featured In Coastal Living$381/nightly avg

    This home has already earned plenty of accolades — having been featured in Coastal Living, California Home and Design, and Fine Homebuilding magazines.

    But seeing is believing, and this listing made believers out of us. The owners describe this home as “the perfect mix of serenity and adventure,” which sums up the Sea Ranch lifestyle to a T.

    This open floor plan home is chock full of natural materials and thoughtful details. The owners have truly thought of everything — including high-end furnishings like Tufenkian Tibetan rugs and original, local art and photography. 

    And of course, there are those gorgeous ocean views. This one is certainly a stunner, and we can see why it’s already gotten so much love.

    Dreaming of The Sea Ranch – your dream vacation awaits you
    128 reviews
    Private vacation home
    4 Guests
    2 Bedrooms
    2 Bathrooms
    Top guest reviews
    Thank you.
    Very comfortable. Beautifully decorated
    Was exactly as described. I think the fabulousness of the front deck is understated.
    I enjoyed my stay in this beautiful and gracious house, which is located back from, but very close to the Bluff Trail. I particularly enjoyed watching how sunlight shone through the house at different times of day – the morning light filtered through the hedgerow trees via the kitchen windows and watching the last rays of afternoon sunlight sparkle over the ocean and meadow from the upper level crow’s nest.
    Such a beautiful spot and amazing home.
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    from USD 381
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    Japanese-Inspired Redwoods Retreat$206/nightly avg

    How’s this for something off the beaten path? This cozy studio is nestled in the middle of a coastal redwood grove. And when we say “cozy,” we mean it. This space clocks in at just 384 square feet, but its owners have made good use of it.

    But what’s most striking is the studio’s Japanese-inspired decor. And “decor” almost feels like an understatement here: You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into another place entirely — beginning with the traditional tatami mat floor as you walk in, and delicate rice paper privacy screens inside.

    We can totally picture ourselves enjoying a cup of green tea while savoring the lush landscape surrounding the studio. This place is truly something special. And while it’s small in size, it makes a huge impression on guests.

    Dreaming of Sea Ranch – your dream vacation awaits you
    1 review
    Private vacation home
    2 Guests
    1 Bathroom
    Top guest reviews
    Off the beaten track and you have to hike up from the parking area, but what a great, secluded spot! Love the Japanese style, quasi tea house design but with western conveniences built in yet discreetly hidden. The sofa sleeper is not big enough for a normal size person (fine for my my 5’2” wife, but not fine for 5’8” me.). So we laid out the futons which were slightly too wide for the space, but found that the comforter was too small for the futons. We made it work though. Sat on the wrap around veranda in the early afternoon sun, lush forest foliage, warm sun, cool breeze – perfect!
    We stayed two nights, and had good time. It was clean and cozy. It was big enough for two of us. The only problem was the lockbox. It was not easy to close it.
    This is the ultimate escape for one or two people! It’s an authentic and architecturally interesting Japanese tea house, surrounded by old growth Redwood trees. The decor is beautiful and calming, and I appreciated the privacy as well as the hikes you can take right from the back door. It’s ideal for a romantic get away or a moment to stop time and just be… I’ll be going back for sure.
    This is the ultimate escape for one or two people! It’s an authentic and architecturally interesting Japanese tea house, surrounded by old growth Redwood trees. The decor is beautiful and calming, and I appreciated the privacy as well as the hikes you can take right from the back door. It’s ideal for a romantic get away or a moment to stop time and just be… I’ll be going back for sure.
    The Tea House is thoughtfully designed, well-equipped, and a great space for a relaxing getaway. As a studio, it’s a bit on the small side, so would be challenging for more than two people. Access to hiking trails from this property is excellent and there are gorgeous forest views from all windows (and two skylights!). A few things that differ from the online description: there is no dishwasher, and only a mini fridge. (This wasn’t a problem, just something to plan for, especially if bringing groceries for a longer stay.) There is a coffee maker, but it is a small one–a mini Cuisinart 4-cup. And no coffee grinder (but ground coffee was available in the pantry). The air bed mentioned in the description was also not present, but the futon was comfortable and easy to fold in and out. Due to the tatami mats on the floor this is a no-shoes home, but sandals are provided (or bring your own). The neighborhood is quiet and the home feels quite private and secluded. Parking was easy in the designated spot, but there’s a bit of an uphill hike to the Tea House from there–just something to be aware of if you’re not packing light and/or if you have limited mobility.
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    from USD 206
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    Clair de Lune$572/nightly avg

    The owners of this property call it Clair de Lune, French for “moonlight.” The name makes sense, because this place is tres magnifique. According to the listing, on a cloudless night, you can lie in the master bedroom suite and see the moon shining through a skylight — hence the name. 

    This home is a stunner. We especially love the modern, contemporary design. If that’s your style, you’ll feel right at home here. Like so many Sea Ranch properties, this one boasts gorgeous vistas perfect for a morning cup of coffee or a glass of wine in the evening. It’s located in the Sculpture Point area of Sea Ranch, near the ocean bluff trail, Smugglers Cove, and the marine preserve. Pebble Beach is a 5-minute walk from the house.

    And if you’re musically inclined, there’s even a baby grand piano on the premises.

    A heads up: the property listing suggests this home is ideal for couples or families with older children, specifically over 12 years old. Children younger than 12 aren’t allowed.

    Dreaming of Sea Ranch – your dream vacation awaits you
    3 reviews
    Private vacation home
    4 Guests
    1 Bedroom
    2 Bathrooms
    Top guest reviews
    We have rented many vacation homes in Sea Ranch. This home was quite a disappointment for us compared to all the others. It was much more expensive as well. The photos and description of this property portrayed it as being secluded. When we arrived, we found that it shared a driveway with another home next door. And also had homes surrounding it closely on each side. There was construction being done on the deck and that was not clarified in the description. The deck was also on the back of the house and the home blocked the ocean view. There was no heating or air conditioning and no fireplace. (How would you keep warm in the winter time?) The windows were rusty. Some were not possible to open & screens were broken/missing. The ocean views were partially blocked by overgrown bushes and trees. There were beetles & spiders inside the home. The television kept cutting out while we were watching it. It said there was an animal-proof garbage can down the hill from where the parking was. We could not find it anywhere, so we brought our trash home with us.For the money we paid to stay here for a weekend getaway on my boyfriend’s birthday, we were quite disappointed.
    Perfect place for rest and relaxation.
    We loved the view of the ocean and meadow from every part of the living room and kitchen. The most exciting moment was watching a bobcat in the morning slowly walk across the front yard, around the house to the backyard. Then the next morning we saw him again, this time across the street. He was watching a hole in a ground. A few minutes later he lunged, and had a mouse in his mouth! So much wildlife we observed just from the living room.
    We loved the view of the ocean and meadow from every part of the living room and kitchen. The most exciting moment was watching a bobcat in the morning slowly walk across the front yard, around the house to the backyard. Then the next morning we saw him again, this time across the street. He was watching a hole in a ground. A few minutes later he lunged, and had a mouse in his mouth! So much wildlife we observed just from the living room.
    20-30 steps from vast trails, main one of which borders the Pacific. Comfortable and convenient house. Highly recommend.
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    from USD 572
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    Gualala Hilton House$505/nightly avg

    Need a little extra space? This might be the spot for you, and perhaps your whole family if you want to bring them, too. 

    This house is perched on the north coast of Sea Ranch in the Gualala area. The owners say this part of Sea Ranch tends to get more sun, while other parts of the coast are covered in fog. 

    Like all the properties we’ve rounded up, this one boasts gorgeous ocean views — perfect for watching the sunset and listening to the ocean sounds, if that’s your thing. 

    Unlike most properties we found, this one seems to be a little more family-friendly: There’s a playroom in the garage stocked with a foosball table, ping-pong table, and even air hockey. Pets are welcome too, for an additional fee.

    The home recently underwent a full remodel, so furnishings and decor have a modern touch. And if you need a moment to chill out and relax, no worries — there are three televisions and a wood-burning stove at the property. Find your zen, indeed.

    Dreaming of Gualala – your dream vacation awaits you
    44 reviews
    Private vacation home
    10 Guests
    3 Bedrooms
    3 Bathrooms
    Top guest reviews
    Overall we had a nice stay. We had a few issues that the owner was quick to respond to.
    We had such a wonderful week in your home. It was clean and comfortable and had a great kitchen full everything we needed. We were in Gualala for my soon wedding and the most amazing experience and memory’s are your home.
    This home was perfect for our family. We were a little disappointed that we didn’t have direct access to the beach, but this ended up making things better because we found other things to do, such as horseback riding. We had a wonderful stay. The home is perfect size for a family with lots of games to play. It is a very short walk to the grocery store and several restaurants. We sat out on the porch in the evenings and with the view of the ocean directly in front of us, we actually saw whales!! We also saw deer hopping across the vacant lot across the street. We love seeing nature. Communication with the property manager was easy and he would get back with me fairly quickly whenever I had a question. It was a much needed and much enjoyed vacation.
    We’ve stayed at at least 50, maybe 75 vbro rentals over the past decade. This was the nicest, cleanest and best equipped. The location is hard to get to but once you are there you don’t want to leave. Awesome kitchen with all the things and spices you need. Great views and lots of movies and beaches and beach toys. It was fabulous. We will be back. Nearby restaurants were still Covid affected (short staffed) but all friendly. Grocery stores were pricey but well stocked. Overall a fabulous time
    The house is very comfortable. We enjoyed the fireplace. The kitchen is very well stocked. It made it very easy to do a lot of cooking. The location was good – we walked to the grocery store and coffee shop. Communication with Jason was excellent. We had an issue and he handled it quickly and efficiently. We appreciated that.
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    from USD 505
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    Canyon View Cabin in the Redwoods$250/nightly avg

    The property owners call this a cabin, but one guest review says “it was so much more.” And we can see why. You’ll find this rental in a secluded cul-de-sac less than a mile from Anchor Bay Beach. 

    You’ll enjoy the indoor and outdoor living spaces with gorgeous canyon and ocean views. You could have a great vacation without ever leaving the property; it’s chock full of amenities and a kitchen that gets top ratings from guests. In fact, one reviewer said they had a great time just sitting on the deck for hours, drinking tea and listening to the waves crash. Sounds like a perfect day to us, too.

    Dreaming of Gualala – your dream vacation awaits you
    7 reviews
    Private vacation home
    6 Guests
    2 Bedrooms
    1 Bathroom
    Top guest reviews
    Beautiful property. Very peaceful escape.
    This place was exactly what I was looking for: a quiet, peaceful, and comfortable place where I could work on my book undistracted and enjoy beautiful scenery at the same time. It’s called a “cabin” but inside it’s much more modern and convenient than that term implies. And while the gas fireplace wasn’t working at the time (a glitch that I was notified about beforehand), the heating system thoughout the house worked just fine–very important during my stay in chilly December. Even through two impressive rain-and-wind storms that rumbled through, things were very cozy and bright the whole time. The kitchen was very well equipped for cooking of any kind (really nice gas range). The master bedroom bed was comfy and warm, the wide-screen TV in the game room was great. The view from the main deck, off the living room was spectacular, looking out through the redwood tress to a slice of an ocean view. Most of all, the hosts were very responsive to my communicatins, were professional in our dealings, and seemed like really good people. I highly recomend this place, and I’ll definitely want to return in the near future.
    We had an amazing week and didn’t want to leave! Everything is exactly as in the listing, except the views from the back decks are even better than the pictures. I sat for 2 hours on the upstairs deck drinking tea and listening to the waves crash until it got too cold. Its just very quiet and peaceful…very relaxing. It rained most of the time we were there (we love the rain!) so that made lots of time for curling up and watching movies. We would definitely recommend and can’t wait to go back again. Thanks for a great stay!
    This is such a peaceful, beautiful space, perfect for a getaway.
    My wife and I had a fantastic time visiting this very nice cabin. Super clean and well stocked…this cabin lacks nothing. A real treat to enjoy the beautiful trees in total peace and quite.
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    from USD 250
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    For more things to do in Sonoma County, California:

    • 4 Amazing Outdoor Wine Adventures In Sonoma County
    • 11 Fantastic Things To Do In Coastal Bodega Bay, California
    • 7 Fantastic Things To Do In Healdsburg, California During Winter

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