Day Trip Ideas for The Sea Ranch Area

Toby and I took ten days and enjoyed a "vacation" alternating day trips with days just relaxing at our Sea Ranch home. We collected ideas of fun local activities from friends and thought many of you might like to see the suggestions, along with comments on what we dudt. If I had all night on this S-L-O-W internet connection, I'd post pictures. 

Bowling Ball Beach [SF] 

We tried to ways to find it, from the “Park Facing South Only” sign, where we came to a “Danger” sign warning us that the steps had washed out so we turned around and drove further north to Moat Creek, where we parked and hiked south. We got as far as the ravine where we could see houses, and the ravine was impassable. A nice hike, but we were unaware you can only find Bowling Ball Beach a very low tide.  Oh well, next time maybe we’ll see it (and find the prescription sunglasses Toby lost along the trail)! 

Anderson Valley: Good wine and a beautiful drive on Hy. 128 to Philo, Booneville. [MB/DB]  

CBS: We took the Mountain View Road into the Mendocino Ridge appelation area and stopped at Mariah Vineyards along the way (at 2600 ft. above sea level, owned by a nice, chatty couple; beautiful views; so-so wines but we enjoyed our visit), then had a good lunch at the Booneville General Store (after sitting for a while and getting no service at the Mexican restaurant). We then really liked beer tasting at the Anderson Valley Brewery (air conditioned and dogs allowed inside). We enjoyed great tastings at Shramsberg (friendly, great champagne), Roederer (gorgeous grounds), Husch (quaint tasting cottage, nice people, and good wines), and then ran out of time. Continued up towards Mendocino for dinner.

Mendocino:

CBS: After our day wine tasting, we dined at the Albion River Inn, where we enjoyed looking at the grounds and had a lovely meal with an outstanding view.

Ledford House – restaurant on the way to Mendocino, easily visible from Hwy 1 on the ocean side.  Really good food, a nice bar and almost every table has a beautiful ocean view.   The restaurant is owned by a husband and wife team.  The wife is the chef.  We often go there on our wedding anniversary. [BW]

One of our favorite dinner spots is Le Petite Rive in Little River, across from the Little River Inn.  Call them re days open and time of seatings.   707 937-4945 [MB]

The Moose Cafe in Mendocino - check days open.  Lunch and dinner. {MB]

CBS: Walking around Mendocino:  We loved photographing the architecture, and walking into gallery after gallery. I also really liked “American Pie,” a shop featuring lots of artsy hand-crafted items.

Ft. Bragg

If you are in Ft.Bragg for breakfast, I would just recommend Eggheads on the Main drag. We used to tell the waitress that we came all the way from Santa Monica for their breakfast! [TA]

Ananse Village: African fabric and arts shop in Ft. Bragg (www.anansevillage.com/)  CBS: We stopped by but it closed at 5:00 and we were too late! 

Chapter and Moon restaurant at the marina in Ft. Bragg [AK]

CBS: My favorite meal of the week!  We got there around 4:00 for a “late lunch” and were the only ones there. Our food was delicious, the couple that runs it were friendly and helpful, and the setting was unusual. Thank God for a GPS or we’d never have found it!

Botanical Garden in Fort Bragg - walking tour of the Botanical Garden -- beautiful and has some really unusual coastal plants.  They also have a nursery with lots of native plants and best of all they sell homemade ice cream that you can eat while you’re walking on the path toward the ocean. [BW, MK]

CBS: Loved the place; good for dogs; a docent was very helpful; fell in love with the Peony Gardens.

Hikes: There are great hikes up and down the coast at the many state parks. If the paths are headed inland, you won't have to deal with wind. Otherwise, anything out on the bluffs should be done early morning. Many people like the view from Pt. Arena Lighthouse and a walk along the bluffs heading south. There's another lighthouse closer to Mendocino. [MK]

Fort Ross 

CBS:glad we went (once). We went here when Toby was heading back to the Bay Area, drove two cars down, did the tour, then parted. Not good for dogs.

Breakfast in Point Arena at Rollerville Cafe, 22900 So. State Hwy. 1 

CBS:  Amazingly good breakfast, huge portions, good coffee. We shared a special taco omelet, which was great. (707) 882-2077

Other Suggestions we didn’t get to check out this time:

Manchester Beach [MK]

Freestone:  Wonderful spa, Osmosis,  and a great bakery Wildflower (open Friday through Monday). [MB]

Occidental:  Excellent restaurant, Bistro Des Copains.  I think it is open every day...check. [MB]

Monte Rio:  Wine shop, Sophie's Cellar, which is where I buy our wine.   Very good selection and  knowledgeable. [MB]

Farms, Wineries, Fairs, Cheese Producers, etc. in Sonoma County: Check out farmtrails.org. [AB]

CBS: Many, many places of interest, but some were farther or more towards the route to the Bay Area than Toby wanted to drive. Next time!

Bicycle along the Gualala River, taking the path to the left just past two bridges as you head out Annapolis Road [David]

Graton – The restaurant is Underwood.  The burgers are fabulous, but everything else we’ve had there has been delicious.  Graton is just outside of Sebastopol.  The same people own Underwood which is across the street.  We always go to Wildwood.  Also in Graton is a very nice little art gallery you may want to check out if you decide to go there. [BW/MB]