Coastal Forest Bathing

Reset your senses by reconnecting with ocean, land, and sky at The Sea Ranch Lodge.
by Paul Rubio
A coastline with steep rocky cliffs meets a calm, turquoise sea; grassy fields and modern buildings sit atop the cliffs, surrounded by trees and distant rolling hills under a clear sky.

Come to Northern California to experience the best of two natural worlds: the forest and the coast. The Sea Ranch Lodge (thesearanchlodge.com) is an intimate, eco-chic, 17-room retreat hugging a dramatic stretch of shoreline known as the “Scottish Coast.” Here, roughly 100 miles north of San Francisco on Highway 1, the outside world fades away, replaced by the rhythmic crash of ocean waves, shifting moody skies, and emerald forests. Strolling through the dense, towering trees—dappled light filtering through the canopy, the sounds of leaves rustling and birds singing—can become both a physical and an inward journey.

A modern wooden house with large glass windows sits on a green lawn at dusk, surrounded by trees under a clear blue sky. Warm lights shine from inside, highlighting the building’s contemporary, angular design.

The lodge itself has a distinctive architectural design—a series of stacked wood-and-glass cubes with angled rooflines and crisp geometric lines. Sweeping views look out to the cliffs and sea, while natural materials like cedar and stone echo the surrounding landscape. Inside, daybeds tucked into rectangular bay windows invite guests to linger. Fireplaces radiate warmth and oversized tufted chairs offer an invitation for sinking into a good book or watching the light shift over the water.

A cozy wooden room with a bed and a window seat, featuring throw pillows. The large window offers a scenic view of grassy fields, trees, and the ocean with distant hills under a cloudy sky.

The origins of the resort can be traced back to a visionary group of designers, architects, and landscape architects who first brought it to life in 1968. Their original ethos of respecting and integrating with the natural environment remains remarkably intact, following thoughtful renovations over the past several years. Modern conveniences have been carefully considered, with purposeful omissions not as a deprivation, but as an invitation to engage more deeply with the present moment (no televisions, for example).

A large flock of sheep grazes on dry, grassy land near a rocky coastline under an overcast sky; a wooden shed sits in the background.

Programming reflects this same mindfulness. Group activities range from mushroom foraging and practicing community yoga (open to Sea Ranch residents as well) to storytelling, knitting, and bird-watching. For quieter moments, settle into an Adirondack chair with a journal, letting the sea mist cool your skin and blur the ink on the page.

A narrow sandy path bordered by a rustic wooden fence leads toward a rocky, overcast coastline, with gentle waves and greenery visible alongside the trail.

Wellness at Sea Ranch Lodge isn’t tied to a spa menu or fitness center (in fact, neither exists here). It’s embedded in the very fabric of the place—in the purity of the air, the pulse of the ocean, and the grounding presence of the forest. The experience feels less like a curated escape and more like a gentle return—to nature, to stillness, to yourself.