What to do and see in Gualala, United States: The Best Places and Tips

November 8, 2017 Mikaela Didonna

Gualala (formerly, Guadala, Walhalla, and Wallala) is an unincorporated community in Mendocino County in the U.S. state of California. It is located north of The Sea Ranch and south of Point Arena, California. Gualala shares its southern border with the southern border of Mendocino County. It is located on the Pacific coast at the mouth of the Gualala River, on State Route 1. It serves as a commercial center for the surrounding area. Gualala was once a logging town, but tourism is now its central economic activity.
Restaurants in Gualala

1. Gualala Point Regional Park

42401 Ca-1, Gualala, CA 95445 +1 707-785-2377
Excellent
69%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 118 reviews

Gualala Point Regional Park

Located at the mouth of the Gualala River, this park offers great hiking trails and nature walks.

Reviewed By MJo05 - The Sea Ranch, California

This lovely park has something for all levels of exploring. There are many trails that are paved, so even wheelchair access is possible. You can get to a large sandy beach at the mouth of the Gualala River for exploring and walking (dangerous sneaker waves are possible so watch children carefully). Spectacular scenery so bring your camera!

2. Unbeaten Path Tours

Sea Ranch, The Sea Ranch, CA 95480
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
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Overall Ratings

5 based on 41 reviews

Unbeaten Path Tours

At Unbeaten Path Tours we "Connect People to Place" and we do so by bringing our guests to specific points of interests they would otherwise miss if going it alone and we share with them aspects of the region that resonate with us, such as: history, geology, the marine ecology, birding, local flora, little known facts and more. Our guests not only gain knowledge and appreciation for the lands - they gain a respect for it, they care about it - and when you care about something you connect with it - and you never forget it! Owner & Guide, Margaret Lindgren, is also a certified instructor of Kundalini Yoga and offers private yoga & meditation sessions for private and corporate groups. See our website for specific details regarding this unique and symbiotic offering for an UNBEATEN experience. All tours are private unless otherwise noted. Tours and Yoga can be customized to meet specific needs for private groups, retreats and weddings. Make it unique: Make it UNBEATEN!

Reviewed By Joy S

Four friends who have traveled the world together just loved this tour! We were excited to learn more about this slice of heaven called The Sea Ranch since my family recently purchased a second home here. After a couple of hours with Margaret learning about the the history, unique architecture and the philosophy behind creating this special community, our time together gave us an appreciation into the minds of architect Joseph Esherick and others as they created their iconic structures to blend in and enhance the beautiful surroundings - sea and sky, rocks and trees, birds and sheep! Margaret is informative and funny and reverent and respectful of everything the Sea Ranch has to offer and was so happy to see how much we were enjoying the tour. This is for newbies and long time residents alike. We parted like old friends! Can’t wait to take another tour! And Margaret was right: we really did become “experts” and gained a new perspective on the rooflines, wood beams and windows of not only our house but the other homes as we walked along the paths. Thanks for making us smarter!!! Love, Love, Love, Love!!!!

3. Gualala River

Gualala, CA
Excellent
57%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 29 reviews

Gualala River

A perfect river for first-time canoers or kayakers since the waters are calm and non-threatening.

Reviewed By Sam D

Water levels were rather low at the access point of Gualala River Redwood Campground, but the temperature was perfect for wading and stream health seemed well, indicated by an abundance of amphibious life such as the numerous salamanders spotted, down woody debris and significant structure variation observed in the sinuous section we were. Gorgeous place!

Best,
~S

4. Sea Ranch Chapel

Hwy. 1, The Sea Ranch, CA 95497 +1 707-785-2444
Excellent
78%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 39 reviews

Sea Ranch Chapel

Reviewed By James S - Reno, Nevada

The architecture of the Chapel is what draws your attention to this peaceful and quiet place.There is so much attention to detail in the stained glass windows and door.The grounds are lovely and there is a fountain right outside the entrance. This place looks right out of middle earth and provides a great seclusion for prayer and meditation.

5. Gualala Arts Center and Art Center Theater

Old Stage Road, Gualala, CA +1 707-884-1138
Excellent
64%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 25 reviews

Gualala Arts Center and Art Center Theater

Reviewed By Nancy K - Mount Sterling, Kentucky

Hidden among the giant trees is this modern structure that will please your eyes. Inside houses local artists creations. In addition there is a large meeting room and stage for performances and gatherings and a kitchen where I've been served local specialties. For a small community, this is a large addition to house performing arts and other functions. If you have an opportunity to attend an event or just sit in the outside garden, do so.

6. Walk On Beach Sea Ranch Access Trail

40101 Highway 1, The Sea Ranch, CA +1 707-785-2377
Excellent
83%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 27 reviews

Walk On Beach Sea Ranch Access Trail

Reviewed By longingforord - Windsor, California

Stopped in the parking lot off Highway 1, used the bathroom (sort of a permanent potra-potty), saw all the signs, headed down the marked trail. Continued to the ocean, followed more signs to the beach, only 1 other family on the beach. Lovely partially secluded beach.

7. Gualala Bluff Trail

Gualala, CA
Excellent
38%
Good
51%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 44 reviews

Gualala Bluff Trail

A scenic three-mile hiking trail from Gualala Point Regional Park to Walk-On Beach along the Pacific coast.This short trail in downtown Gualala can be accessed through the Surf Motel parking lot and next to the Shoreline Restaurant. The trail goes behind three motels/inns and other commercial buildings and follows the Gualala River. There are views of the river and the Pacific Ocean and benches along the way. Parts of it are relatively flat and other parts a bit more challenging.

Reviewed By Gailyn63 - San Francisco, California

This trail leads from the Visitors Center to Gualala Beach. It's about 1 mile roundtrip, with no changes in elevation. You can use this as a starting point to hike into Sea Ranch along the bluff, which is a much prettier trail.

8. Sea Ranch Golf Course

42000 Highway One, The Sea Ranch, CA +1 707-785-2468
Excellent
20%
Good
60%
Satisfactory
20%
Poor
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4 based on 10 reviews

Sea Ranch Golf Course

For the ultimate golf experience, visit Sea Ranch, one of the first Scottish Style links built in the western U.S., and one of the most picturesque courses in the country.

Reviewed By Atkinson - Sacramento

This course makes me a little sad. It is very beautiful and interesting with a real variety of holes, but it is poorly maintained. With a little TLC, this course could replace Bodega as the best on the North Coast. In addition to some more maintenance, the course could use a few informational signs. For example, the tee shot on number 9 is definitely a lay-up, but nothing on the tee warns you about the distance to the arroyo. Same thing for a couple of holes on the back nine. Local knowledge ought not to be worth three or four shots, especially on a course that caters to vacationers..

39102 S Highway 1, Gualala, CA 95445-9559 +1 707-884-9065
Excellent
70%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 13 reviews

Studio 391 Fine Art Gallery

Studio 391 is an award winning fine art gallery specializing in photography, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, glass and mixed media by local, regional and nationally established artists. Studio 391 is located at the corner of Highway One and Ocean Drive in Cypress Village Gallery District. A must-see gallery when visiting Gualala.Hours: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday 11 am to 5 pm.

Reviewed By pnjaban - pnjaban

We are part time Sea Ranch residents who live mainly in San Francisco. The main artist featured at this gallery is Paul Kozal, a photographer who uses some interesting techniques in his work. We bought a large print of the Sea Ranch sheep flock in front of the White Barn from here. It's fun to stop in and see what is new. Some of the art on sale at this gallery is featured in the newly opened Gualala Hotel down the road on Highway One (it's a restaurant, in an old hotel building).

10. Placewares

39114 Ocean Dr, Cypress Village, Gualala, CA 95445-8351 +1 707-884-1184
Excellent
84%
Good
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Satisfactory
16%
Poor
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4.5 based on 6 reviews

Placewares

Placewares. Offering 'Wares for Your Place | Since 1978'. On the California coast, one mile north of The Sea Ranch. The first Placewares opened in Concord, Massachusetts, in 1978, specializing (as it does today) in wares for your place. It eventually grew to an intimate chain of neighborhood stores around New England before its original owners' retirement to The Sea Ranch in 2004. In 2005, a single Placewares store was opened in the California coastal town of Gualala, just north of the fabled architectural community, The Sea Ranch. In its 38th year, 2016, Placewares entered its latest chapter under the ownership of design enthusiasts Shev Rush and Kevin Lane, with continued operations at The Sea Ranch in Gualala's Cypress Village, an expanded and enhanced online store, a vibrant social media presence, and plans for a second location in Los Angeles opening in 2017. We continue to carry iconic designs from the store's four-decade history, including products from Iittala, Marimekko, Heller, Chemex, Alessi, Normann Copenhagen, Bodum, and Chilewich. At the same time, we spend time each year searching at home and abroad for the very best products available in the categories you'll find in-store and in the online store. Placewares is also host to a gallery space showing an exciting, unusual and rotating mix of local California artists as well as internationally celebrated artists with works housed in the permanent collections of MOMA, Tate Modern, Art Institute of Chicago, LACMA, MOCA, SFMOMA, and The Menil Collection, among others.

Reviewed By kappy26 - Boston, Massachusetts

A great kitchen place. Has many interesting items one of a kind. Do go there if at Sea Ranch. The owners are lovely friendly people.Dear Kappy26, Hello! And, thank you! We're glad you seem to have fun and be inspired when you visit Placewares. Please let us know if you every have any new ideas for us. And, please be sure to say hi the next time you visit!

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