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    Sea Ranch Chapel

    5.0 (22 reviews)

    Services - Sea Ranch Chapel

    Wedding chapels

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    Oh my God (or any creator), this place is awesome.
    Glen N.

    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.

    Sandeep R.

    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.

    Maureen C.

    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.

    Lynn F.

    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.

    Walking up the front entrance, the dog leading the way
    Andrew H.

    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.

    Natalee H.

    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.

    Linda S.

    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.

    Schelly Y.

    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!

    Ed U.

    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.

    The sea ranch chapel story
    LibraToro T.

    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!

    Heidi S.

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

    The Sea Ranch Chapel

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

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    Review Highlights - Sea Ranch Chapel

    The elaborate doors with stained glass inlays are made of teak, and the walls inside are redwood.

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    Blessed Sacrament Church

    Blessed Sacrament Church

    (2 reviews)

    Vacationing at Irish Beach, we wanted to attend mass on the weekend. It's best to plan in advance…read moreas options are limited compared to urban areas. There are two masses weekly: St Aloysius in Pt Arena has a Sunday 9am service and The Blessed Sacrament in Elk has a Saturday 4pm mass. As we were leaving Sunday morning it had to be the Saturday service. We had attended this church years ago so it brought back many memories. This parish has a small, devoted congregation that creates a warm, caring atmosphere. It was a wonderful mass, a unique experience for city dwellers used to churches many times the size. Small is definitely beautiful in this case. After mass was done, a local gentleman kindly asked us if we would be interested in seeing the rectory, an adjunct to the church where visiting priests can stay while in the area. We gladly accepted the offer. First he showed us changes in the church since we were last there, improvements made while maintaining its traditional look. Then we were led through a surprisingly large rectory, with many rooms and gorgeous views looking directly down on the ocean front. He proudly went over the numerous upgrades they had made over the years - it was beautiful without losing any of the historic touches. This church has a marvelous history and it is meticulously documented on the church website. Historic photos, a narrative history, and pastors through the years are here. A model that could nicely enhance any church. If you're in the area, take advantage of the opportunity to visit this church and make a memory.

    This is possibly the most wonderful church in California. Fr. Asenius is a good and holy priest,…read moreexcellent confessor, and his Masses, which are the traditional Mass of the Ages, are delightful. Check first to make sure he will be saying Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church on the Sunday you wish to attend; sometimes he travels out of the area to say Mass elsewhere.

    Chapel of Our Lady at the Presidio

    Chapel of Our Lady at the Presidio

    (21 reviews)

    Presidio

    The Chapel of Our Lady at the Presidio is a phenomenal Church that I highly recommend to everyone…read more I recently attended a wedding here and was blown away by the Chapel. It seriously is a perfect place to attend mass or have a small to moderately sized wedding. Across the street is a massive parking lot making it easy for attendees to park and not have to walk very far. It is paid parking and there is a machine where you input your license plate number and pay. Parking pricing is very fair (especially for being in the City) and they do accept Apple Pay! Outside of the Chapel is a large grounds area. This makes it perfect for photo opportunities, even for large groups. It also makes for a great spot for early comers to hang out and socialize with others in a safe, relatively quiet area. We were able to greet everyone and take a lot of pictures before the ceremony. Inside the Chapel you'll find a large yet cozy Church environment. There are plenty of pews to accommodate a decent amount of guests but not too large where a small party feels out of place- it's just right! The statues, décor, carpeting and all other aspects of the Chapel give off a magical aura. Off to the side in the back is a small room and bathroom. This made a perfect area for the groom and a few members of his party to setup and idle until the ceremony started. Overall, a great place to get married, especially if you have a 'smaller' guest list. It's easy to get to and out of. There is a venue hall right next door as well as a restaurant a few doors down. Parking is easy and safe while still giving you City vibes. I had a great time and look forward to being back!

    Gorgeous venue, such a hidden gem right in between the Presidio Inn and Presidio Officers' Club…read more Ample parking, but make sure you pay at one of their kiosks - it runs everyday. Great acoustics in this Chapel and amazing lighting. Highly recommend any two lovebirds book this place when tying the knot. You will cherish your memories forever! 'Til next time ~ cheers and see you on Yelp (SYOY)!

    Whispertree

    Whispertree

    (40 reviews)

    I was part of a program and it ended in a retreat at Whispertree. So we stayed here for 3 or 4 days…read morein September 2024 for the retreat. There were between 30 and 40 of us here. I stayed in the house (can't recall the name now). Most of the group stayed at the camps. The bed was reasonably comfortable. They do have a beautiful kitchen. We catered our food. We only used the kitchen to boil water for tea. It was the bee season and our food was feeding the bees nicely. It was a moment to appreciate the co-existence in the nature. There was a hot tub on site. I didn't have time to enjoy it but I had some happy friends at night. There was an outdoor shower area and it looked quite nice. The bathrooms here are rustic yet modern? If that makes sense. The campus here is incredibly beautiful. The trees treated us nicely. There were many good memories left here and we were lucky to secure the facility for our retreat. Our program was pretty packed. I wished I had more time to explore the campus. It was beautiful here.

    I recently led a retreat here and couldn't have asked for a better experience for me or my group!…read moreThe space is incredibly beautiful inside and out, and the land holds a vibration of depth, safety, and generosity that is still blowing my mind. I felt comforted and supported, inspired and emboldened as a leader. Every detail was taken care of and every creature comfort was there! My guests were incredibly happy with the spaces and we had plenty of room for all of us. It's amazing how the land supported such deep work, as if the wisdom of all groups prior to ours had somehow primed and opened up the space for us to take our personal and collective journeys of transformation. You can feel all of the love and care of the owners and all of the stewards of the land who came before. It was magical, sacred, safe, transformative, deep, joyful, peaceful and more. I am still receiving insights for myself and for my group.

    Saint Peter's Chapel Mare Island - a stained glass window in the chapel.

    Saint Peter's Chapel Mare Island

    (26 reviews)

    Such a beautiful venue, and honestly, I think it deserves some more attention and appreciation! As…read morethe photographer of my sister's wedding, I knew that lighting was going to be important. The lighting here was really nice once it was past noon. The inside of the chapel was timeless and beautiful. It is a lot roomier than I expected inside. The chapel pretty much comes with everything you will need, including the stereo system and a changing room for the bride. We didn't even decorate the chapel because it was pretty enough the way it was. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a venue in Solano County. The history of the chapel is amazing, and the people who work here clearly adore and care for the chapel. Side note to citizens not involved in the wedding ceremony, please take couple pictures somewhere else when you obviously see a photographer trying to get photos of the bride and her party! I had shots be completely ruined or have to be heavily edited due to activity from unknown parties taking their own random photos in the background of the chapel. We had the chapel reserved at this time, and it really did stress out the bride as well. I did my best to avoid them, but still, common courtesy says this is a once in a lifetime event and please be respectful of that!

    First off, the chapel is beautiful. We didn't need to do anything decor wise…read more Service wise, Sandy and Miguel, were assigned to us as our helpers on our wedding day. They were both so kind and sweet. They greeted us and helped us out with so much. We really enjoyed them! Jen is also amazing! She is very available, ready to help, and easy to reach -- which isn't something you find often. They were all around just great!

    Christ Episcopal Church - our first look in front of the church. we didn't rent it, but they let us take pictures there!

    Christ Episcopal Church

    (9 reviews)

    My partner Nilo and I were married in this incredible church on July 4, 2014. Christ Episcopal…read moreChurch and Campbell Hall and Garden is the most incredible, beautiful place for a wedding. We had three places to choose from for our wedding and Christ Church was by far the best place imaginable! Nilo and I never dreamed of having a church wedding. We have been together in a committed same sex relationship for 19 years. When the law prohibiting same sex marriage was toppled in June 2013, we knew immediately we wanted to marry in Sausalito as it was the site of one of our first dates back in 1995 and figured prominently in our lives since then. While looking for a venue, we stumbled on Campbell Hall using a Google search. I sent an e-mail to the address listed inquiring about the Hall and within minutes received a response from the rector, Father Chip Larrimore, saying that not only could we use the Hall, we could be married in Christ Church and he would be honored to perform the ceremony. I was floored. Nilo and I, both Catholics, stopped going to Church some years ago. We had no idea the Episcopal Church was so accepting and welcoming. We went to see this incredibly beautiful church last July (2013) and met Father Chip. We knew as soon as we walked in that we would marry there and booked the date for July 4, 2014. We also started attending this beautiful church built in 1882 and became members in January 2014. Neither Nilo nor I had ever experienced such a welcoming community in our lives. We live in South Hayward and drive 57 miles every Sunday to attend Mass there with our new "faith family". While some of the reviewers listed "cons" along with their "pros", I have no "cons" to mention. Everything was incredible. While parking is limited, we hired a shuttle service which was quite reasonable to bring our guests up to the church and take them back. Pure Luxury was the service and they did a wonderful job. It took all the stress out of parking for our guests and they all had a great time on the short ride up the hill. Our reception was held at the Spinnaker Restaurant in Sausalito. Guests parked at Spinnaker and were shuttled to and from the church from there. We used Campbell Hall for lunch for our wedding party and for a short cocktail hour immediately following the wedding before our reception began. The Garden, which is adjacent to the Campbell Hall and across the street from the Church, is so beautiful and the best of our wedding photos were taken there. The entire wedding was everything I dreamed it would be and more. I am attaching some photos of the church and our wedding day there. We videotaped the wedding (although the first 6 minutes were lost...UGH!); the link is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kT0Z_5vJSMQ. Listen to Father Chip's sermon if you want to know how incredible he is as a person and as a priest. I know you will love this church as much as Nilo and I do. 100% recommended for your wedding and if you have never really been into going to church...check it out. You might be as surprised as Nilo and I were by what you find there! Feel free to contact me directly via email at thomasjohnbauer@gmail.com if you have any questions.

    Campbell Hall was the perfect spot for my wedding reception! I loved the Arts & Craft design and…read morethe beautiful garden. And on top of that, the gorgeous view of the San Francisco Bay at twilight was unforgettable. The building itself has a traditional feel and high ceilings, and the French doors on each side let in the breeze. We put the bar on the veranda, which was a great spot for those who wanted to step outside and enjoy the evening air. There's a huge, newly renovated kitchen, which my caterer loved, three bathrooms, and even a small nursery with a crib for babies. The music (sound) level was fine from my acoustic trio, and there's a built-in speaker system for those who want to use it. Many of my guests stayed in Sausalito Hotels and walked to the wedding, in historic Christ Episcopal Church across the street. I've gotten loads of compliments from guests on my unique and charming Sausalito wedding. Thank you Campbell Hall!

    Sea Ranch Chapel - weddingchappels - Updated June 2026

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