02 Nov, 2009
The Sea Ranch Chapel on the Sonoma Coast
Posted by: Beach Reporter In: beaches| california| travel
There are few places quite as peaceful and pleasurable as The Sea Ranch, a community of unique homes that blend with the environment as they sit on plateaus above the Pacific Ocean amongst the tall plants and wildflowers. This is where you can see deer roam freely, munching on their favorite bushes and seeds.
And this is where you’ll find another eye-catching structure that’s a lot more noticeable than the homes nearby. The Sea Ranch Chapel was designed in 1984 by James T. Hubbell, a San Diego-based artist who’s known for creating unique living environments for humans to dwell in harmony with nature. Local stone for the foundation, a cedar roof accented with copper and crowned with a bronze spire, teak doors and a roof that resembles the petals of a flower, all captivate the imagination.
The chapel is quite small. It’s cozy size and comfortable, curved elements feel welcoming. Yet there’s a touch of mystery, to this special place. More like walking into a piece of artwork than a building, you can’t help but notice the wood carved benches, doors and walls, accented by stained glass windows.
The Sea Ranch Chapel is located in Northern California approximately 110 miles north of San Francisco on Highway 1 at Sonoma County mile 55.5. For more information on renting the small facility, contact Sea Ranch Association Office 707-785-2444 (we’ve not checked the phone number so please let us know if it doesn’t work.) Read more about the Sea Ranch Chapel. There aren’t many places to stay, so we like to park ourselves at beautiful Bodega Bay.
