The Point Arena Lighthouse
This past July, my family and I returned to Sea Ranch for our annual trip up to the northern California coast, and it was terrific. Just a few hours north along Highway 1, Sea Ranch is the perfect kind of sleepy coastal destination for anyone looking to unplug. Known for its rocky coastline, succulent covered cliffs, hidden beaches, and wind-hardened cypress, every angle of the landscape feels like a postcard.
Our time there is precious, filled with hikes along the cliffs, beach days, happy hours, excursions into town for a few supplies, and endless Sequence tournaments (a family favorite board game). Still, most years, I manage to strap my bike onto our severely overpacked car with hopes of carving out a few hours to explore.
To those that know me, it’s no surprise to hear that I can be a real creature of habit. But when it comes to these rides up north, this rings especially true. I typically load up the bike with snacks and layers to head south toward Stewart’s Point and the wineries of Annapolis. The ride treats you to stunning views of the coastline, towering redwoods, and grassy oceanfront bluffs that belong to some of the luckiest cows I’ve ever seen.
This time, however, I embraced a fleeting urge to seek out something new and ditched my old stomping grounds for a ride up north to the Point Arena lighthouse. Clocking in at just over 40 miles, the route is the perfect distance to explore the Sonoma Coast. Dotted by the occasional sleepy town, hidden beaches, lush fields, rolling hills, and all colors of wildflower, it’s hard to be in a hurry.
Riding over the gentle rollers that stretched throughout the highway, I took every opportunity to glance over the guardrail and soak in the scene. Depending on the mile marker, the ride alternated between shimmering sunlight and thick, consuming fog. The only real constant was the wind which appeared hellbent on charging into my front wheel for the full journey north.
The entire ride was an inspiration. Every twist and turn was a masterpiece in its own right, and I couldn’t wait to break out my pen and watercolors to capture it all. As I did, it quickly became clear that narrowing what to spend my time on would be the biggest hurdle. Below are a few of the scenes that made the cut.
Cliffs & Tidepools
Initially, I chose the route for the lighthouse, but as I rested my bike along the cliffs that overlooked its entrance, I was immediately drawn into the surf pummeled rocks and active tidepools below. Years of hammering waves have given way to a series of impressive caves and natural bridges. The brilliance of the wild succulents offered the perfect accent to the scene.
Point Arena Lighthouse
The lighthouse itself is stunning. People travel from hundreds of miles away to tour the grounds and look out from its ancient perch. Still, I enjoyed capturing this sketch from a distance, at the edge of the fenceline. Gently obscured in the fog, this vantage offered a faint blur to the sharp edges of the structure and delivered a dreamy, almost storybook quality to the scene.
Point Arena Harbor
Before departing, I made my way to the harbor to take in the well-loved fishing boats and their trusty pier. Nestled tightly within the protective arms of the cove, the dock is quaint but stands firm, a much-needed haven amidst a powerful and unforgiving sea.
Wrap up
The ride home was serene, bolstered by an extremely welcome tailwind. My legs were taxed, but my mind and my soul were refreshed. I can’t wait to get back out there and find new spots to explore. Thanks for reading.
