Sea Ranch: A Planned Community in Northern California Reflecting the State’s Utopian Vision

When Sea Ranch, a meticulously designed community along a remote section of the northern California coastline, opened its doors in 1965, its creators touted it as "the most unique second-home colony ever imagined by both nature and humanity."

My husband, Jason, and I first learned about this place in 2019. Friends had visited an exhibition on its history at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and quickly made the three-hour journey. "The hedgerows!" one friend exclaimed, trying to convey the charm of Sea Ranch.

Initially, Jason and I were uninterested—why would we want to spend days in what seemed like an upscale gated community? It turns out we were completely mistaken.

The concept for Sea Ranch emerged in the early 1960s, when an unconventional developer named Al Boeke fell in love with a rugged 1,000-acre former sheep pasture just south of the quaint town of Gualala. While the project was primarily a financial venture for the Hawaiian company that employed Boeke, it also presented an opportunity for him to explore the intersection of design, ecology, social justice, and the notion of "living lightly on the land"—a phrase introduced by one of Sea Ranch's architects, Donlyn Lyndon.

Boeke brought on board Lawrence Halprin, a San Francisco–based landscape architect, to help guide the project. Halprin was something of an architectural shaman, known for his cowboy boots and hand-drawn plans that resembled hippie manifestos.

His guiding philosophy for Sea Ranch was to maintain the natural essence of the landscape. He brought together a remarkable team that included future graphic design icon Barbara Stauffacher Solomon, along with architects Joseph Esherick, Charles Moore, and William Turnbull, and master builder Matthew Sylvia.

Remarkable transformations occurred. Charming, unpretentious homes were constructed. Development regulations ensured the land remained shared and untouched. Trails meandered along cliffs leading to secluded beaches and lush upland forests of redwoods; community centers featured swimming pools, tennis courts, and saunas, their walls embellished with vibrant, oversized designs in primary colors, later dubbed "supergraphics."

Then, the illusion shattered. Utopian ideals clashed with capitalist ambitions, revealing the project's conflicting nature. Over the next twenty years, architects and designers departed, and a handful of sprawling mansions emerged amidst the community’s 2,200 properties.

However, due to Halprin's foresight and a renewed commitment to the bylaws, the essence of Sea Ranch thrives. A fresh wave of families is moving in, and a new generation of design aficionados is beginning to explore the area.

As Sea Ranch is a private community, you’ll need to rent a house within its borders to access the exclusive trails, beaches, and recreational facilities. Renting here offers a "choose your own adventure" vibe; you can opt for a windswept bluff, a secluded spot in the redwoods, a minimalist cottage, or a sleek glass abode—the options are plentiful.

Fair warning: upon arrival, you might wonder, "What’s the hype all about?" But once you witness the enchanting fairy rings of redwoods and the striking lines of the Modernist buildings cloaked in rising sea mist, you'll soon be convinced.

You can rent properties like The Mini-Mod and others at vacasa.com. For further details on the community and its architectural highlights, check out tsra.org.

This article originally appeared in the February 2021 edition of Dinogo, titled Into the Woods.