I think I just posted this but I can't find it so reposting:
Message: Can you suggest a winery or two to visit , not too far from Gualala? Will be staying at the Sea Ranch Lodge. Gualalisa or anyone else, would appreciate your input. Also, restaurant recommendations for dinner in the area? We will eat at Sea Ranch Lodge one night, so need recommendations for the other two nights. Looking for casual places with good seafood

anyone?

There's an old hotel in Gualala - um.... the Gualala Hotel, I think. I don't remember the food being amazing or anything - but It's kind of an old kitchy place.

Here's a good little online resource:
http://www.gualala.com

Though you might find better food up a ways in Mendocino or inland near Healdsburg.

I think Healdsburg or Mendocino way to far for dinner, and not necessary.
Pangea has moved from Pt. Arena to Gualala and it is quite good.
St. Orres would be my other choice, but you also might like Cypress or Top of the Cliff. The hotel is OK, but the bar is a hoot!
There are 2 wineries in the area-
one is at Annapolis and the other
Flowers in Cazedero-not really "nearby"
If you are coming or going via 116 from
Santa Rosa and Jenner-I can give you lots of places. It might be fun the day you leave to go North to Elk for breakfast at Queenies and down on 128
good wineries along there as well.
Let me know if I can help.
R5

Not sure yet of the route we will be taking on our final day, but appreciate the suggestions. We definitely want to try St Orres - what an intersting looking place!

A meal at St. Orres is a great occasion the dining room is gorgeous very Northern California...lots of beautiful wood and rather eccentric Russian influenced architecture. The food is interesting and there's alot of wild game on the menu.

Check out Gualala info by putting it into the search box. My opinion is found in my trip report
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...t=0&dirtyBit=1
(No spaces in the link).

Orange: Sorry, I had a 3-day weekend and wasn't on the board.

Razz, as usual, is a font of useful info on our area. The Annapolis Winery is really the only one nearby - take Annapolis Road from Highway 1 on the Sea Ranch and you're there. It's also a scenic drive and you will feel like you're really in the country!

St. Orres is our best restaurant - wonderful food and atmosphere. My other favorite, which Razz mentioned, is Top of the Cliff in the Seacliff Center. Great seafood and steaks and a nice setting overlooking the water.

I know Razz likes Pangaea and it is very good, a trendy place among foodies. The Sea Ranch Lodge, where you are going, is also very good.

The Gualala Hotel has new owners and I've been hearing that the food is now quite good. You can't beat the hotel for local color - yes, do check out the bar! For lunch, the Redwood Grill in Anchor Bay just north of town has good seafood as does Oceansong in "downtown" Gualala.

As for casual, even though the settings might look fancy, it is my experience that people up here (both tourists and locals) do not normally get dressed up to go to dinner. Pretty much anything goes, even at St. Orres where I've seen people in shorts and sweats dining on expensive gourmet food and wine.

Because many of us live up long dirt roads in the woods, heat our houses with wood and live the country life, jeans are the most practical way to go - blue jeans during the day and black jeans for "dress-up."

If you have any other questions, let me know.

Yup~you've gotta have breakfast or lunch at Queenie's. I love that place.
While there pick yourselves up Queenie T shirts with a big red crowned Q on the back.

Yes yes a Queenies t-shirt
"It's good to be queen!"
and the perfect thin to wear with
Lisa's "dress code"

R5

Queenies sounds intriguing. Will definitely try to get there.