Dog-friendly forest retreat among redwoods, walk to Hot Spot & Gualala River
Summary:
Forest light filters through the canopy onto this secluded Sea Ranch gem. Bring your pup along -- miles of trails are right outside. Curl up by the fireplace after a day exploring coastal trails. Room for 4 in this 1-bedroom home. Just a 12-minute walk to the heated community pool. Sea Ranch's iconic trails, tidepools, and heated pools are all at your doorstep. Morning mist drifts through the treetops as deer graze in the meadow beyond.
The Space:
A true forest retreat awaits at this blissfully private Sea Ranch home, a secluded coastal hideaway tucked among lush ferns and towering redwoods. It's a side of Sea Ranch you'll delight in exploring, with miles of nature trails - leading to the Gualala River and the Sea Ranch Hot Spot - practically outside your door.
Designed by Don Jacobs and built by Jack Richardson in 1978, this home sits on an oversize parcel of land that abuts quiet, open space. Walk down to the Hot Spot to barbecue and picnic in the afternoons, or head in the other direction to access the oceanfront Bluff Trail at dramatic Black Point Beach (two miles). You'll also be equidistant to the heated pools, tennis courts, and saunas at Ohlson and Moonraker (two miles), two of Sea Ranch's three recreation centers.
With its generous windows and skylights framing the redwood canopy, this split-level home fills you with the feeling of waking up in a treehouse. Unfurl your yoga mat in the loft upstairs, and step out onto the redwood deck afterward with your first mug of morning coffee.
There's no TV to distract you here, leaving ample time to read, play the provided board games, and reconnect with your loved ones. A private washer/dryer is provided for your convenience as well.
Bring your pup along -- this home welcomes up to 1 dog.
KITCHEN & DINING
Craft your favorite meals in the fully equipped kitchen, complete with dishwasher, making cleanup a breeze. With seating for your group, mealtimes become part of the experience.
SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS
Choose from 1 bedroom. Altogether, the home comfortably sleeps 2.
PROPERTY AMENITIES
-- 1 bedroom, 1 bath
-- Wood-burning fireplace
-- Dog friendly (up to 1)
COMMUNITY AMENITIES (at Sea Ranch recreation centers)
-- Heated pools and saunas (at Del Mar, Moonraker, and Ohlson rec centers)
-- Tennis and pickleball courts (at rec centers)
-- Miles of coastal bluff trails
Guest Access:
The entire home is yours to enjoy -- make yourself at home from the moment you arrive. This home welcomes up to 1 dog -- the yard and nearby trails are ready for your pup. Driveway parking is available at the property. Detailed check-in instructions, including the door code, will be provided prior to your arrival. As a guest, you also have access to Sea Ranch community amenities including the pools, tennis courts, fitness center, and miles of trails. A recreation pass will be provided.
The Neighborhood:
Welcome to The Sea Ranch -- ten miles of rugged Sonoma coastline where modern architecture and wild nature exist in harmony. Nearby highlights include community heated pool and hot tub (South) (12-minute walk), Pebble Beach access trail (2-minute drive), Black Point headland trails (2-minute drive). Trails lead from your door to the bluffs, beaches, and through the forest. Heated pools, tennis courts, a fitness center, and The Sea Ranch Lodge round out the amenities. For provisions, Gualala (10 minutes south) has grocery stores, restaurants, and a gas station. Jenner and Bodega Bay are scenic drives south.
Getting Around:
Sea Ranch is located on the Sonoma Coast, approximately 2.5 hours north of San Francisco via Highway 101 to Highway 1. The closest airport is Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport (STS) in Santa Rosa, about 1.5 hours east. A car is essential for exploring the area. The scenic drive along Highway 1 is part of the experience.
Other Things to Note:
Sea Ranch has three recreation centers with heated pools, saunas, and tennis courts. Access passes are provided with your stay -- check availability upon arrival as these shared amenities can be popular during peak times.
Exterior lighting is minimal by design to preserve the stunning dark sky -- bring a flashlight for evening walks and enjoy some of the best stargazing on the California coast.
Spring (April-June) brings a wildflower show across the coastal meadows -- lupine, poppies, and iris paint the landscape. Summer (June-September) brings the warmest days and longest light. Morning fog is common along the coast -- it usually burns off by midday.
Up to 1 dog is welcome (max 40 lbs). Please keep dogs on leash on trails and clean up after them.
Cell service can be spotty along the coast. The home has WiFi for staying connected.
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Pool
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Similar properties
Dog-Friendly Cabin with Ocean View, Private Hot Tub & BBQ near the Lodge
Sea Ranch
Dog-Friendly Cabin with Ocean View, Private Hot Tub & BBQ near the Lodge
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
About the area
Sea Ranch
Located in Sea Ranch, this holiday home is in a rural area and near the beach. Sentinel Rock and Hauser Bridge are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Reserve and Galleons Point. Discover the area's water adventures with nearby fishing, or enjoy the great outdoors with horse riding.
Fort Ross State Historic Park - 29 min drive - 33.6 km
Sonoma Coast State Park - 43 min drive - 48.7 km
Getting around
Santa Rosa, CA (STS-Sonoma County) - 131 min drive
Restaurants
The Café - 5 min drive
The Dining Room - 5 min drive
Annapolis Winery - 17 min drive
Shindig - 17 min walk
The Lodge - 8 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Does Dog-friendly forest retreat among redwoods, walk to Hot Spot & Gualala River have a pool?
Yes, this property has a pool.
How much does it cost to stay at Dog-friendly forest retreat among redwoods, walk to Hot Spot & Gualala River?
As of 16 Apr, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Dog-friendly forest retreat among redwoods, walk to Hot Spot & Gualala River on 6 Jul, 2026 start from S$233, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is Dog-friendly forest retreat among redwoods, walk to Hot Spot & Gualala River pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property.
What time is check-in at Dog-friendly forest retreat among redwoods, walk to Hot Spot & Gualala River?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Dog-friendly forest retreat among redwoods, walk to Hot Spot & Gualala River?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Dog-friendly forest retreat among redwoods, walk to Hot Spot & Gualala River located?
Situated by the sea, this holiday home is within 3 miles (5 km) of Galleons Point, Pebble Beach and Black Point Beach. Stengel Beach and Gualala River are also within 3 miles (5 km).
Reviews
9.2
Wonderful
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Beautiful place in the woods. Forest was lush and green and it was a short drive to the ocean where there were nice cool breezes and beaches to walk on. Enjoyed the amenities. Only issue was that we came from the Sacramento area and had not been advised as to where to pick up the welcome package before arriving.
David D.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Jun, 2024
Thank you, David, for your feedback! We are happy you enjoyed this home. We sincerely apologize for the issues you have encountered during your stay. We will continue to work with both our local staff and homeowner to make improvements to this home, and we hope you'll give us a second chance to impress you!
From a partner site
8/10 Good
Juliet D.
16 Sept, 2024
Wonderful trees and quiet
We greatly enjoyed our week stay at Deep Woods Hideaway. The quiet of the forest and proximity of the trails are what we were seeking and what we found. The house was adequate especially given its affordability at the time we booked our trip. It surprised us that the bedroom was on the upper level separated from the bathroom and kitchen by a steep staircase. The dining and living room areas were on the entrance level which was downhill from the parking area and up a small staircase.
Despite all this, it was lovely to see the trees from every room and we will likely return.
Juliet D.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Sept, 2024
Juliet, thank you so much for taking the time to provide your feedback. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay at our home. We appreciate our guests' preferences as a means to improve and we have forwarded your comments along to our property management to consider in the future. We hope to have another chance to impress you in the future!
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Anne I.
5 Jun, 2024
Best of both worlds!
This little cabin in the woods is a great spot to escape the heat as it is located in the middle of a dense forest of redwoods and ferns. There are forest trails nearby, but a short drive will also bring you to miles of ocean bluff trails and beautiful uncrowded beaches. One reviewer commented that they smelled mold, but I believe the scent is actually from the well-used fireplace. My friend's mountain cabin near Tahoe smells the same. And I could find no water damage at all in this home unlike many of the homes near the bluffs. If you like both the forest and the ocean, give this comfortable little gem a try. FYI - bring your own hairdryer.
Anne I.
From a partner site
6/10 Okay
Alrxandra E.
23 May, 2024
Economical but lacked some basic comforts
Small cabin well situated for a getaway in Sea Ranch. Pluses were the low cost, clean interior and decently equipped kitchen and very quiet and peaceful setting among tall trees. Heat works very well. Negatives were a persistent smell of mold (not just dust from disuse)- it was faint but noticeable during the whole 3-day stay, even though we aired the place out. It was not bad enough for us to move out but others sensitive to allergens might have an issue with this. Not sure if this is seasonal because we came at the tail end of a lot of rain. Also the home does not get very hot water and gets pretty limited daylight due to being surrounded by tall trees and facing north. For these reasons I would not choose to stay here again but we had a good weekend despite these issues.
Alrxandra E.
Response from VrboOwner on 23 May, 2024
Alrxandra, thank you for your review. We sincerely apologize for any discomfort you experienced during your stay. We want to assure you that we have thoroughly inspected the home, and there is no mold present. However, we understand your concerns and will continue to monitor the situation closely. We appreciate your feedback and will take it into consideration to improve the overall experience for our guests. We're glad to hear that you still had a good weekend despite these challenges and hope to have the opportunity to better serve you in the future!