Bovill on Shell Beach - Oceanfront home with private hot tub near Shell Beach

Salt spray, crashing waves, and a front-row seat to the Pacific -- welcome to the Sonoma Coast. End the day in your private hot tub with the ocean as your soundtrack. A warm fire and ocean views anchor cozy evenings in. Room for 6 in this 4-bedroom home. Sea Ranch community pools, tennis courts, and the Lodge are nearby. Your front door opens to Sea Ranch's 50 miles of trails and the wild Sonoma Coast.

You'll be within steps of the most beloved beach in Sea Ranch at this four-bedroom home, an oceanfront escape with views of the water, a private deck and hot tub, and nearby access to community swimming pools, tennis courts, and saunas.

Bovill on Shell Beach is a family vacation home of over 40 years, located in a quiet neighborhood, where neighbors are respected and where Sea Ranch regulations are always followed. It's not the place to come for blaring music or loud games but rather a place to enjoy the pristine beauty of the North Pacific Coast and the multitude of recreational activities at the Sea Ranch, in the surrounding communities, and on the coast.

Dramatically situated on the bluffs that overlook the Pacific Ocean, this single-level home sits directly above the tidepools and sandy shores of Shell Beach. You'll be only a few steps from the Bluff Trail; two miles south of the outdoor pool, tennis courts, and saunas at the Del Mar Recreation Center; and five miles south of the markets and restaurants in downtown Gualala.

Comfortable, plush, and full of quintessential Sea Ranch charm, this home is the perfect getaway for families, groups of friends, or couples in search of romance and relaxation. Step inside to find a light-filled living area with natural wood ceilings, a soft sectional sofa, and a wall of windows that frame the open ocean.

Come home from an afternoon walk on the Bluff Trail to curl up with a novel in the cushioned window seat, set up a board game at the large dining table, or gather around one of two gas fireplaces (in the living room and master bedroom).

Wake up each morning to grind your own coffee beans, whip up some homemade pancake batter, and read the newspaper outside on the ocean-facing deck. Back inside, the gourmet kitchen offers stainless steel appliances, green marble countertops, and a dishwasher to take care of the plates and glasses.

Leave dinner bubbling away in the slow cooker and head down to Shell Beach for a morning of wiffle ball and tidepooling. Come lunchtime, rinse off the salt in the spacious tiled shower (which is accessible from outside), light the gas grill for an afternoon barbecue, and sit down to eat with a panoramic view of the ocean.

In search of a bit more peace and quiet? Retreat to the sheltered interior courtyard to relax in the sunshine or play a game of cards among the strawberry plants and calla lilies. You can also grab your bathing suits and towels from the washer/dryer and soak in the soothing warmth of the private hot tub.

With four bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms, this Sea Ranch home will accommodate the whole family. Watch spectacular sunsets on the deck before retreating to the master suite, which features a king-size bed, a private fireplace and flatscreen TV, and an attached bathroom with a tub and a shower. The second bedroom offers a queen-size bed among the bookshelves, while the third and fourth bedrooms have a queen-size bed and two twin beds, respectively.

And although the Sea Ranch community has only sparse cell phone service, a landline phone is available for your ease and convenience.

As one of the best-kept secrets of the Northern California Coast, Sea Ranch offers a glimpse of the region in its incredible, untouched glory. Follow the Bluff Trail to reach Stengel Beach and Walk On Beach, make a morning tee time at the cypress-lined Sea Ranch Golf Links three miles north, or spend your days swimming and practicing your backhand at the Del Mar Recreation Center. Along the way, you'll find incredible cliffs and rock formations, as well as the best pizza in the area at Upper Crust Pizzeria in downtown Gualala.

Your unforgettable trip to Sea Ranch begins today -

SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS
Choose from 4 bedrooms, with twin beds. Altogether, the home comfortably sleeps 8.

PROPERTY AMENITIES
-- 4 bedrooms, 3 bath
-- Private hot tub
-- Gas fireplace
-- Garage parking

COMMUNITY AMENITIES (at Sea Ranch recreation centers)
-- Heated pools and saunas (at Del Mar, Moonraker, and Ohlson rec centers)
-- Tennis and pickleball courts (at rec centers)
-- Miles of coastal bluff trails

Create a tranquil iPhone soundtrack for the sound dock stereo system, use the WiFi to plan your next hike, or watch a DVD, Blu-ray, or cable movie on the wall-mounted flatscreen TV.

Sea Ranch has three recreation centers with heated pools, saunas, and tennis courts. Access passes are provided with your stay -- check availability upon arrival as these shared amenities can be popular during peak times.

Exterior lighting is minimal by design to preserve the stunning dark sky -- bring a flashlight for evening walks and enjoy some of the best stargazing on the California coast.

Whale watching season runs from December through April -- grab the binoculars and watch for gray whale spouts from your window. Spring (April-June) brings a wildflower show across the coastal meadows -- lupine, poppies, and iris paint the landscape. Summer (June-September) brings the warmest days and longest light. Morning fog is common along the coast -- it usually burns off by midday.