Road Trip to Sea Ranch on 35mm Film

In post-war America, a handful of modernist architects were approaching planned communities in a thoughtful, human manner in response to the profit-driven, environmentally insensitive practices spreading across the country. In the Seattle area, architects Perry Johanson, Fred Bassetti and John Morse devised Hilltop—a sort of utopian community dedicated to preserving and celebrating the natural setting of the outskirts of King County while employing principles of modern architecture and governing democratically. Divided into 40 one-acre lots, the first families that settled into the Hilltop were economically diverse, built modern homes and were quite environmentally-conscious. Homes were modest, used local timber and coexisted with surrounding nature, doing their best to land lightly on their acre.

Fifteen years and 800 miles down the road, another architect, Al Boeke had convinced his employer, Oceanic Properties, to invest in and thoughtfully develop old farmland along the coast of Northern California as an affordable, low-density community that would impede as little as possible upon the beauty of the area. 

Along with Boeke, others came together, playing key roles in bringing Sea Ranch to life. Landscape architect, Lawrence Halprin's drawing of the community map includes notes like "meadows kept open as commons" and "keep coast open for riding, hiking access to water and for visual easement" as well as specific instructions to keep all utilities hidden. He stated the most difficult task was to "find a way for people to inhabit this magnificent and natural system in numbers without destroying the very reason for people to come here." While many more homes have been built on Sea Ranch's 3,600 acres since the 1960s, the community has a design review board for any new construction to ensure each home exists harmoniously with not only the land, but with the original neighborhood as well. 

As is the case with many architectural wonders in beautiful areas, home ownership in Sea Ranch has become a mere dream for most, but these days many are available as short-term rentals so that we out-of-towners can still experience waking up in Sea Ranch.

This entry in the Photo Journal captures our drive from Seattle through Oregon and Northern California on 35mm film. Locations include Oregon City, Florence, Eureka and Sea Ranch.

Photos were taken on Kodak Portra 400 using a 1990s Minolta with various lenses. Developed and scanned by our friends at Moody's Film Lab.