The Sea Ranch Lodge: Plan Your Intentional Wedding Weekend in Northern California

The Sea Ranch Lodge: The Ultimate Coastal Wedding Venue

Where Pacific Coast wildness meets intentional design and unforgettable celebration.

The Sea Ranch Lodge is a one-of-a-kind wedding destination on Northern California’s rugged Sonoma Coast. With dramatic ocean cliff views, architectural spaces rooted in place, and meadow sites that feel both grounded and timeless, it’s a venue that couples and their guests fall head over heels for. Whether you’re planning an intimate ceremony for 20 or a full-scale celebration over 100 guests, this venue deserves a closer look.

Today I’m sharing all of the details about what makes The Sea Ranch Lodge such a special place to say I do… whether you’re head over heels for the MCM Coastal California vibes or obsessed with the idea of a slow, intimate weekend with your favorite people, you’ll find what you’re looking for here.

About The Sea Ranch Lodge

Where is The Sea Ranch Lodge?

The Sea Ranch Lodge is located in The Sea Ranch, CA on a dramatic stretch of Sonoma County coastline where bluff beaches, grassy meadows, and crashing ocean waves define the landscape. The lodge itself overlooks the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by coastal trails, tidepools, and shared Ranch land. This location feels remote in all the best ways - a true coastal escape - yet it’s still within a 3 hour drive from San Francisco (including SFO air travel) for travel ease.

Why Have Your Wedding at The Sea Ranch Lodge

Now that you know where the venue is located, let’s talk about why this place is so extraordinary. There are so many reasons couples choose The Sea Ranch Lodge, but here are the most compelling:

Ocean Front + Bluff Top Ceremony Sites

The Sea Ranch Lodge offers ceremony sites like Ocean Meadow and Barn Meadow that sit atop the grassy cliffs with sweeping views of the Pacific: imagine framing your vows with natural sound and motion. It’s the kind of view that makes every photo feel iconic and every moment feel alive.

Architectural Beauty with Coastal Soul

The Lodge itself is more than a space, it’s a design statement. With clean lines, expansive windows, natural wood details, and interior spaces that feel both minimal and warm, it sets the tone for weddings that feel intentional and refined without being formal.

Reception Flexibility for Every Style

With 12 separate event spaces to choose from, you can plan and experience a wedding that feels uniquely like you. Plan a weekend that invites your guests to move through the Lodge to fully experience everything that makes Sea Ranch unlike any other coastal California wedding venues.

Destination Wedding Weekend Potential

Another reason that I love this venue is that it isn’t just for one day… it’s a destination. Guests can stay on-site at the lodge, in nearby vacation homes, or in rentals along the coast, turning your celebration into a memorable weekend getaway.

FAQs About the Ultimate Coastal California Wedding Venue

How far in advance do I need to book The Sea Ranch Lodge?

Prime dates (spring through fall) fill early, especially weekend dates. Booking 18+ months in advance is recommended to secure the space you want.

How many guests can The Lodge accomodate?

The outdoor ceremony spaces can accommodate up to 150 guests. Indoor reception capacity is generally more intimate, ranging from 12 to 110 guests which makes The Sea Ranch Lodge an incredible wedding destination in fall and winter months as well.

Do they have options in case it rains?

Yes, guests may hold their reception inside the Lodge or on a tented meadow space gives you options if the coastal weather shifts.

When is the best time of the year to get married here?

Late spring through early fall offers more predictable coastal weather with sun and ocean breezes. Shoulder seasons (autumn/winter) bring dramatic skies and fog rolls that photographers love.

Do we need to find lodging off site?

Not at all! The Sea Ranch Lodge has 17 on-site rooms and there are many nearby private homes available for your group so guests can explore the coast for a full weekend.

Planning Your Sea Ranch Lodge Wedding

Ceremony Site Options

The Sea Ranch Lodge has multiple ceremony locations to choose from, all featuring sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Many guests choose to say ‘I Do’ at one of their three Meadow sites which can host up to 150 guests. If saying your vows next to the iconic architecture feels more like you, the newly redone Ocean Deck adjacent to the main Lodge is another option for a more intimate group (up to 40 guests).

All ceremony sites offer natural beauty without feeling overly staged - plus your guests can easily move between ceremony and cocktail hour.

Reception Site Options

With twelve reception spaces, The Sea Ranch Lodge definitely has an option to fit every type of celebration.

For a laid back elopement or incredibly intimate celebration, consider a special dinner in The Dining Room of The Lodge or the incredibly dreamy Solarium. The Redwood Patio offers a private reception space featuring the iconic ‘portal’ window overlooking the Northern California coast. All three Meadow reception sites are a blend of pastoral charm and coastal elegance; I cannot stress enough how you just can’t go wrong while planning a Sea Ranch Lodge wedding!

Getting Ready Spaces

The Sea Ranch Lodge provides beautifully designed guest rooms and shared areas where couples and their parties can get ready for their wedding day. These spaces carry that same coastal minimalism and natural warmth that defines the venue.

Guest Experience + Staying On Site

One of the best parts about a Sea Ranch Lodge wedding is how it transforms into a destination experience. Guests can stay right at the lodge, or in nearby vacation homes, creating a shared celebration atmosphere that goes beyond “just the wedding day.”

Where to Stay Near The Sea Ranch Lodge

On-Site + Nearby Lodging

The Sea Ranch Lodge - On-Site Rooms

Book one of the 17 lodge rooms so immediate family, close friends, or the wedding party stay close to the celebration.

Sea Ranch Living - Community Vacation Homes

These are perfect for guests who want space, shared gathering areas, or stunning ocean views.

Gualala Vacation Homes on Airbnb

Travel Tip: Most guests fly into San Francisco (SFO) then rent a car for the scenic drive up Highway 1. Alternative options include flying into Sacramento (SAC), or if you’re anything like me, maximize the trip by experiencing the entire coast so you can spend days on either end exploring Northern California, from charming Mendocino to the beaches of the Lost Coast. If you’re a little less adventure driven and a little more luxury, take the long way home and meander through central California wine country. You truly cannot go wrong in any direction from Sea Ranch.

Why The Sea Ranch Lodge Works as a Destination Wedding

Plan The Ultimate Wedding Weekend Itinerary

When you choose The Sea Ranch Lodge, you aren’t just booking a wedding venue, you’re choosing an experience for yourself and your guests. It becomes a multi-day immersion into coastal landscape, connection, and shared adventure. From seaside walks to group dinners and fireside mornings, this venue gives your loved ones an opportunity to be present with one another, not just attend one moment in time.

With group activities like guided nature walks, yoga classes, and the iconic Sea Ranch Links golf course, crafting a weekend that brings your favorite people together in an unforgettable location is easier than you think.

Ready to start planning your Sea Ranch Lodge wedding weekend? Get in touch — we’ve got you covered.