Sea Ranch: A Great Family Vacation Spot By Candida Eittreim on Sep 29, 2007 - Updated Oct 15, 2011

If you want a great family vacation home, without the costs of ownership, consider Sea Ranch. With its architecturally sensitive design, award winning Robert Muir Graves golf course, stunning views and family friendly atmosphere, you have a place that's hard to resist.

Sea Ranch is located just south of Anchor Bay/Gualala on the Northern California coast. It boasts a private landing strip and over 2,500 acres of pristine wildlife preserve. The homes range in size from charming 1 bedroom 1 bath cottages to 4 bedroom 3 bath homes. Many of them come equipped with hot tubs and simply lovely decks and private gardens. You have a choice of meadow, forest or ocean view homes, and with your rental comes full use of Sea Ranch's amenities: Golfing, horseback riding swimming, tennis courts and literally miles of hiking trails.

Each home comes fully equipped with cookware, microwave, TV, DVD/VCR, internet access, wood burning fireplaces or wood stoves. Housekeeping is offered by request. Bring your own bedding and towels unless staying one or two nights, in which case, paying the few dollars extra will take care of your needs.

You can dine at the Sea Ranch Lodge Restaurant or any of half a dozen restaurants within easy driving distance. Or do as we do, and bring your own supplies and whip up fantastic meals in the superbly equipped kitchens. Many, if not most of the homes have dining rooms looking out over stunning views, making dining in a delightful choice.

Drive in the front gates of Sea Ranch and you enter your own private reserve. All you need to do is unpack, make the beds up, and you're home. Take a swim in one of the Ranch's heated swimming pools, catch a few rounds of golf or take a stroll on the beach. Visit the Store and pick up some aromatherapy items to help you de-stress, a few board games for the children, and a logo item to commemorate your first experience in living Sea Ranch style.

Corporate meetings and accomodations can be arranged at Sea Ranch, including group discounts on multiple rentals. Perfect for corporate retreats. Weddings are enormously popular here, and can be performed on site in a variety of locations. If while enjoying a family vacation, friends and relatives want to drop by for a night or two, the gorgeous Sea Ranch Lodge will offer them a luxury treat. All the Lodge rooms come with a cooked to order breakfast, an in room selection of juices coffees and teas, hair dryer, iron, ironing board, wireless internet access, a daily newspaper and wonderful robes.

Newlyweds and lovers will enjoy the Romantic Escapes package. Included are: an ocean view room, a couples package gift, sparkling wine with two flutes, Sea Ranch created chocolates, the Inspire Romance kit, 3 course gourmet dinner for two and a custom breakfast. All from $299.00

If you are looking for a family vacation home that will leave you with incredible memories, and create precious family bonds, then visit Sea Ranch. Right now From October through March you can have a home from $200- $460.00 a night. In October the weather is ideal for walking the beach or looking for the whales to come leaping from the waves on their way to their winter homes. Book Sunday through Thursday and get a free night. This is a great way to try Sea Ranch before making next summer's plans.