Sea Ranch is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful seaside communities in the nation, due mostly to rigid adherence to environmentally harmonious architectural standards. Approximately 300 homes, some quite grand, are available as vacation rentals. There are eight or nine rental companies, charging as low as $200 to as high as $700 for two nights--rates are generally lower on the east side of Highway 1. The Sea Ranch Lodge and Restaurant (707/785-2371 or 800/732-7262; www.searanchlodge.com) offers the only hotel accommodations.

Return visitors often sample different locations—woods, meadows, ocean bluffs. For rentals contact Sea Ranch Rentals (888/732-7262; www.searanchvillage.com) or Rams Head Realty (800/785-3455; www.ramshead-realty.com). Rentals also include use of the community’s three outdoor heated swimming pools, tennis courts, and recreation center. The award-winning Sea Ranch Golf Links (located along Sea Ranch’s northern boundary at the entrance to Gualala Point Regional Park; 707/785-2468), a challenging Scottish-style 18-hole course, was designed by Robert Muir Graves and is open daily to the public.