Sea Ranch Chapel

Stunning, unique, sacred, inspiring, etc. etc. etc. Wow. This is a must see. We were told they are getting booked up for weddings so you might run into an event but we happened to be there all alone. We took our time taking in the beauty. You're driving on the 1 so you're probably tired of driving windy roads by the time you hit the Sea Ranch Chapel so you might as well stop and walk around. You won't regret it.

The Sea Ranch Chapel is a sacred little wonder tucked into the Northern California coast—a place that feels like it was dreamed into existence. Its flowing, organic architecture is unlike anything else, evoking both a seashell and a flame. Step inside and the stillness wraps around you like a whisper. Light dances through stained glass in quiet reverence. Whether you’re spiritual or not, this space touches something deep. A peaceful, artful, soul-stirring experience. Five stars.

The building's architecture is imaginative and beautiful. The chapel is a peaceful and quiet place to meditate or be still. The location is a bit secluded, away from the road.

Beautiful, peaceful, great architecture, donation box, parking lot with disabled space, clean.

It is a small sanctuary for quiet individual pray. It looks like a movie scenery, so well made, so quiet and peaceful. There is parking, free entrance and no one really guarding or prepared to welcome visitors but there are plates and cards providing enough information. It is very close to the road and worth a quick stop just for a couple of pics or send your best wishes for loved ones.

It's a beautiful little place, but it is small, there is some seating inside and the lighting through the extained glass windows and the sculptured ceiling are very beautiful. There is an area to kneel if that's your style. There are some benches around the grounds to sit on to just look at the outside sculpture of the building. If you'd like to schedule an event there, such as a wedding or small party or gathering, or maybe even a private prayer service, just contact the Sea Ranch Association. they manage the scheduling of the building.

Stunningly pretty, quaint, architecturally unique — that’s what we look for in tiny towns to begin with, and the Sea Ranch Chapel delivers in a big way. Mind your volume and your footsteps as you step into this whimsical stained glass and wood sanctum in the middle of an unassuming clearing beside the main road. (Just nearby the fire station) In a zone of very geometrically inclined houses and structures, the wild natural curves of the chapel stand out for sure - but without being overzealous. Quite a spot. I’m sure some very small delightful weddings have taken place here.

I was excited to visit but at the entrance it said no RVs, trailers or buses... since I was traveling in one of those, I wasn't able to enjoy the chapel. It was crazy hard to turn around to leave after turning in a bit. 3 star rating because I wanted other RVers, etc to know. Just an fyi if you are traveling in one of those vehicles since I didn't see it on the initial Google listing, although after I checked the website, it did say no RVs due to space limitations. 🙄 No photos since we couldn't go in. 😞

Beautiful chapel on the East side of Hwy 1, at Sea Ranch. It blends into the grassy fields and we passed it a few times before finding the parking lot entrance. A non-denomination place of meditation, worship and celebration. Innovative architecture, a lack of right angels make it look like a lotus flower or a twisting shell... you decide. A nice place to enjoy, beloved by the community. Spend some time inside, enjoy the stained glass windows. Say a few prayers, relax. OPEN 365 days, dawn to dusk.

Short review incoming! This chapel clearly stands out from the highway and draws many in to get a closer look (Clearly got sucked in myself). No cost to entering and a short jaunt off the highway itself, so not loosing too much time. The inside is just as magical as the building itself, which some great photo ops, but it is quite small, so if there is a large crowd just consider that. Overall worth the stop and apparently a review as well!

Oh my God (or any creator- this is non-denominational), this chapel is a beautiful wonder of architecture that is somehow simultaneously stimulating but calming. We almost chose Sea Ranch Chapel as our place to get married before Covid hit. It's a perfect place to wed. That is, if you can whittle your guest list down to 17 and nobody has to pee. With the windswept conical shingled roof with bronze spires that resemble a cartoon fish skeleton, the outside looks like a fairy tale cottage. A popular index of the country's oddities (Roadside America) labels it The Conquistador's Helmet, aka the Mushroom Chapel, but the official website claims it's intended to resemble a whale. Please visit their website which credits all the designers, artists, donors, and caretakers. Inside the tiny, roundish room, the hand-carved redwood seats, natural wall shelves, and flower-formed ceiling makes it look like it was designed by a fairy, which is NOT a dig on lead designer Mr. Hubbell. The six-inch thick floor and part of the walls are natural stone, the windows are jewel-toned stained glass, the prayer screen in wrought iron, and the chandelier is metal. Actual metal, not just "hardcore". We drove 3 1/2 hours from San Jose to visit this chapel in person on our way to Ft Bragg (90 minutes north). Be warned that this stretch of PCH is the most windiest road I've encountered in my life. Windiest like curvy, not windiest like full of wind.

This is a great little stopover driving up the north coast. It's a tiny little artistic driven, non-denominational chapel that was built by a local art community. It's a great little place for reflection, and just enjoy what someone built and funded and presented to the public. It's just a great place to stop and relax and think for a minute be thankful for our ancestors and those that came before us. Beautiful location, beautiful building, and a nice stop. Worth every bit of time you spent here.

Mad hippie architecture- beautiful when the sun hits the stained glass. It's non-denominational, didn't kick out us heathens. At 4pm on a Wednesday afternoon there were no tour busses & we managed to quickly alienate the remaining 2 cars of people and had the place to ourselves. We photographed the hell out of the place.

I'd highly recommend keeping aside an hour to visit this place if you're in town. This chapel was architected by James Hubbell, an artist and an architectural designer who combined local natural materials with gifted local contractors, craftsmen, and artisans. The chapel is located in an area that was carefully designed by several landscape planners. Within the chapel is a small space where you can relax and meditate while soaking in the wonderful architecture. The chapel is open from 9-5 (or something similar) and has a decent sized parking lot.

What do you get when a group of artists who love the sea get together to build a beautiful piece or artistry? You get Sea Ranch Chapel. My soul so needed to be in this place, that I got teary. You get to experience the peace, the beauty, the nature that inspired this chapel. Once you get to the place, you see aspects of the sea built into this place. From the glass eye, the pieces of wood that look like the gills, the spout of a whale. It's beautiful inside and out. Do stop in, stay a moment and take in the craftsmanship, it's a small and intimate chapel but filled with its own mysticism. Take a moment to feel it, you won't regret it and you won't find anything like it. If you're feeling like your soul needs healing, or you want to share this moment with someone special ie your significant other this is the place. Best weekend I've ever had with my boyfriend.

Such a cute little chapel. Made from natural materials. Stone, wood, brass, copper. Beautiful stained glass windows inside. Nice comfy hand made sitting benches. Very cute inside. Don't forget to sign the guest book. There are post cards you can buy for 1.00 each. Leave the money outside in the donation box. This little place is about a 45 minute drive up Hwy 1 North of Jenner. Worth seeing. Lots of cute places to stop along the way.

This chapel feels like one from a whimsical story book with Harry potter/LOTR feels. It's just magical. The architecture is beautiful. Sign the book when you visit. Respect the grounds and enjoy the beauty.

A must see when driving through Sea Ranch! The Sea Ranch Chapel is a non-denominational chapel tucked neatly off Highway 1 at mile 55.5. It's whimsical charm and peaceful serenity provides a lovely space for meditation, prayer, or a simple space for calm reflection. The chapel only hold a maximum of 20 people but we've only ever seen one or two other groups when we've visited. There are wood carved seats and beautiful stained glass windows. The exterior reminds me of a wizards hat or something out of a movie. They are following the county guidelines about when they are allowed to be open to the public. For the most updated information check out their Facebook or Instagram pages.

The Sea Ranch Chapel is right off Highway 1 and you will not miss it as you drive by due to the unique design. It is non-denominational and open to the public. The exterior shape is whimsical resembling a shell and as you walk in you see the beautiful stained glass complimented by the different textures and colors of plaster, wood, and wrought iron. Worth a stop if you are in the area!

We stayed at sea ranch; on the way to the vacation house. Its brilliant! Its so unique and its amazing art! Its a must see tranquil non denomination place for prayer. When we went the COVID shut its doors to public. Otherwise you can still walk around outside and take pics. You can see inside, through stained glass and see a little bench inside with the sun shining in through pastel stained windows...its glorious!

Beautiful chapel to visit if you're in the area. Loved the architecture and the stained glass windows. Very peaceful.

Smack dab at Sonoma County Mile 55.5 on Highway 1 is a most unexpected sight that you may buzz by without knowing it's there. That would be a shame since it's one of the most interesting pieces of architectural whimsy you're likely to see along this bucolic part of California. It's hard to describe...but to me, it looks like a garlic clove with a sparse Mohawk. Yet, there is an unusual serenity to be found with the swooping design and intimate interior. The elaborate doors with stained glass inlays are made of teak, and the walls inside are redwood. The white plaster ceiling is meant to look like flower petals crowning the small but airy space. I really like the polished, butt-comforting redwood pews. All the mosaic flooring and stained glass windows give the impression of natural shapes responding to the sea and the wind. A local couple in Sea Ranch, Robert and Betty Buffum, generously commissioned San Diego architect James T. Hubbell to design it in 1984. Frank Lloyd Wright would have applauded the chapel's conformity with nature. Take a look at my photos in the gallery to see what I mean. It's well worth making a pitstop to see unless of course, there is a private wedding going on. Bring a gift-wrapped blender just in case.

This is a beautiful chapel that is open to the public. It is non-denominational and open for the public to use for meditation, prayer, etc. We came on a Saturday morning. There was another couple there taking anniversary photos. The chapel is so whimsical and fun. It reminds me of a witch hat, but is based off of a sea shell. There are some benches inside and the windows are stained glass. There is enough seating for about 10 people. There's a guestbook inside and they sell postcards of the chapel for $1 (honor system as there's no staff). This is definitely worth checking out if you're in the area. There's no other building quite like this one.

There is no way you can miss this chapel with its unique design and beauty! The design and artistry is absolutely astonishing complimented with the sounds and serenity of nature. There are benches to kneel on and sit inside. This was my first time visiting the chapel and it won't be my last!!!

A nondenominational sanctuary for prayer, meditation and spiritual renewal. Award winning San Diego artist James Hubbell has created this beautiful architectural design as a measure of peace blended of art and purpose. As I was driving down the 1, I spotted this "chapel" not knowing it was this. Wooou, stop this mighty steed (escape wagon) I said and toodled up the road very slowly not knowing if it was private, but, I just had to see this closer up. That was the best thing I ever did. It is a "gift" for all to behold...nothing like it near and far. It has teak doors, native redwood, stained glass, cedar roof with copper and bronze spire, local stone, chandelier, mosaic fountain and floors. The pictures do it no justice because it is an "organic" experience. Keep your eyes wide open and do make this stop/visit to this amazing work of art ..you will thank me. I know have visited this chapel a few times now. I give myself some time to reflect and to be still; never another person seen; how does that happen Namaste

Every trip to Sea Ranch we stop here. It is unique, peaceful and a beautiful stop. Don't pass it up.

As a virulent atheist, I approve of this chapel. It's quiet and soothing. Every time I drive by (once a year, more or less) I stop in to check it out. It's a marvelous site.

AMAZING place, absolutely worth the visit. My partner Jason just happened to notice it while we were passing in a car (it is NOT well marked, so keep eyes peeled for it...I think it is intentionally set back to be private and contemplative). The architecture is totally unique and visually (through the shape and stained glass) water and fluid themed. My Dad is a stained glass artist, and I could greatly appreciate the work that went into creating the windows. STUNNING, can't recommend it enough. The highlight of our trip to Sea Ranch!!!!

Absolutely gorgeous mini sized non-denominational chapel off the main highway. It felt spiritual and quiet without even a slight hint of religious imagery so major props to the architect. We stayed for about a half hour and a few groups popped in but because of the lay out, it didn't feel intrusive or interrupt anything. We loved it. It's the perfect beachy meditation spot.