The Sea Ranch Airport (CA51)

Perched at 360 feet above sea level on the rugged Sonoma Coast, The Sea Ranch Airport (FAA identifier CA51) is a private general aviation airstrip serving one of California's most architecturally celebrated planned communities. The airport sits approximately 3 miles north of the heart of The Sea Ranch, a 10-mile-long residential enclave straddling Highway 1 in northern Sonoma County, roughly 110 miles north of San Francisco. For pilots, arriving at CA51 is not merely a means of transportation — it is an experience in itself, with sweeping Pacific Ocean views, coastal ridge approaches, and the distinctive meadows and redwood groves of the Sea Ranch landscape unfolding beneath the wings on final approach.

Airport Overview and Facilities

The Sea Ranch Airport is owned and operated by The Sea Ranch Association (TSRA), the homeowners' organization that governs the community. The airport is classified as private use, meaning prior permission is required before landing. Pilots must contact the TSRA office at 707-785-2444 to register their aircraft and certify compliance with the airport's strict operational limitations before any visit.

The airport features a single asphalt runway designated Runway 12/30, measuring 2,600 feet in length and 40 feet in width. The surface is rated in good condition. Runway 30 has a 300-foot displaced threshold due to terrain and obstruction considerations, and both runway ends have a 200-foot overrun area. The airport sits on approximately 30 acres of land. There is no control tower, no instrument approach procedures, and no on-site fuel, maintenance, or oxygen services. A wind indicator and segmented circle are present to assist arriving pilots with traffic pattern orientation.

Operational Restrictions and Pilot Advisories

CA51 imposes firm operational limits that pilots must understand before planning a flight. Aircraft with a certified maximum takeoff weight exceeding 8,500 pounds are prohibited from using the airport. Additionally, all aircraft with an accelerate-stop distance in excess of 2,300 feet are prohibited. This effectively limits operations to lighter single-engine and twin-engine piston aircraft such as Cessna 172s, Piper PA-28s, Beechcraft Bonanzas, and similar category aircraft.

All operations at CA51 are VFR (Visual Flight Rules) only — no instrument procedures are published. Left turns are required after takeoff on both runway ends. Pilots are strongly advised to make radio self-announcements on 122.9 MHz (CTAF) for all operations. Wildlife is a significant and ongoing hazard: deer, wild turkeys, and other animals regularly appear on and adjacent to the runway. Thorough runway inspection before any takeoff roll is essential. On gusty days, pilots should anticipate wind shear, turbulence, and potential loss of lift on short final due to the coastal ridge terrain and prevailing marine airflow patterns.

The runway heading of 12/30 (roughly northeast/southwest) aligns with the coastal ridge topography. Runway 12 has a hill approximately 700 feet from the runway end requiring an 8:1 obstacle clearance slope. Runway 30 has trees 3,200 feet from the runway end and a television tower approximately 1.5 miles beyond, positioned 300 feet left of centerline, lit at 1,015 feet MSL — important considerations during low-visibility coastal mornings.

The Sea Ranch Community

The Sea Ranch was developed beginning in the 1960s as a visionary experiment in environmental and architectural design, guided by landscape architect Lawrence Halprin and architect Charles Moore. The community spans approximately 5,200 acres along Highway 1 between Gualala to the north and Stewart's Point to the south in Sonoma County. Its distinctive angular wooden structures, designed to weather into the coastal landscape, are recognized landmarks of California modernism. The community includes meadows, hiking trails, beaches, a general store, and lodge accommodations, making it a sought-after destination for weekend retreats and vacation rentals.

Nearby Airports and Regional Context

For pilots needing instrument approaches, fuel, or maintenance services in the region, several airports provide alternatives within a reasonable distance. Ocean Ridge Airport (E55) in Gualala lies just a few miles to the north and serves as a practical alternative for some pilots. Ukiah Municipal Airport (KUKI) is approximately 27 nautical miles to the northeast and offers instrument procedures. Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (KSTS) in Santa Rosa is approximately 31 nautical miles to the east-southeast and provides commercial airline service, full FBO facilities, rental cars, and 100LL/Jet-A fuel. Cloverdale Municipal Airport (O60) is roughly 21 nautical miles to the east. The nearest VOR navigation aid is the Mendocino VORTAC, located 22.2 nautical miles away. A flight from Oakland International Airport (KOAK) to CA51 typically takes under 40 minutes in a light piston aircraft, making The Sea Ranch a popular weekend fly-in destination for Bay Area pilots.

The Sea Ranch Airport Contact Information

Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Sea Ranch, California.

Name The Sea Ranch Airport
Address 36221 Timber Ridge Road, Sea Ranch CA 95497 Map
Phone
Website
Hours

Map of The Sea Ranch Airport


Frequently Asked Questions — The Sea Ranch Airport (CA51)

The Sea Ranch Airport (CA51) is a private-use facility and is not open to the general public without prior authorization. All pilots must contact The Sea Ranch Association (TSRA) at 707-785-2444 before arriving to register their aircraft, provide aircraft specifications, and certify that their aircraft meets the airport's weight and performance limitations. Unannounced arrivals are not permitted. The airport is unattended, so there is no on-site staff to assist upon landing.

CA51 enforces strict aircraft limitations. Aircraft with a certified maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) exceeding 8,500 pounds are prohibited. Additionally, any aircraft with an accelerate-stop distance greater than 2,300 feet may not use the airport. The single asphalt runway (12/30) is 2,600 feet long and 40 feet wide, which further constrains suitable aircraft types to lighter piston singles and light twins such as Cessna 172s, Piper Cherokees, Beechcraft Bonanzas, and similar aircraft. No instrument approaches are available, so operations are VFR only.

No fuel, airframe repair, powerplant service, or oxygen is available at CA51. Pilots should plan to arrive with sufficient fuel for the return leg or divert to a nearby airport for fuel. The nearest full-service airports are Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (KSTS) in Santa Rosa, approximately 31 nautical miles to the east, and Ukiah Municipal Airport (KUKI), approximately 27 nautical miles to the northeast. Both offer 100LL avgas and additional services. Ocean Ridge Airport (E55) in nearby Gualala is also used as an alternative landing site by some pilots visiting the area.

Pilots should prepare for several notable hazards at The Sea Ranch Airport. Wildlife — including deer and wild turkeys — regularly access the runway and should be cleared before any takeoff. The coastal location means marine layer fog is common in the mornings, particularly in summer, and gusty afternoon winds can produce wind shear and turbulence on short final. Runway 12 has a hill 700 feet from the runway end requiring an 8:1 clearance slope. Runway 30 has a displaced threshold of 300 feet, and a television tower 1.5 miles beyond at 1,015 feet MSL lies 300 feet left of centerline. Straight-in approaches and base entries are not permitted — the traffic pattern must be flown in full, with radio calls on 122.9 MHz.

The Sea Ranch is a remote coastal community on Highway 1 in northern Sonoma County, and no taxi or rideshare services operate in the area. Pilots visiting for vacation rentals or the Sea Ranch Lodge should coordinate ground transportation in advance with their lodging host or rental property manager. Rental cars can be arranged through services such as Go Rentals, which can deliver a vehicle directly to the airport by prior arrangement. Alternatively, some pilots choose to land at Ocean Ridge Airport (E55) in Gualala and coordinate pickup from that location, as it is slightly closer to local services.

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