The Cetusaurus at Irish Beach is an unusual house, an architectural
marvel, on the Mendocino Coast. It's 140 miles from the San
Francisco Bay Area. There's a wonderful, sandy, private beach that
runs for about two miles. It's a 15-18 minute walk to the sand, or a
3 minute drive, using a magnetic gate card to go past a gated
barrier.
The house looks across a fifteen acre meadow to the sea. There are
ocean views from everywhere in the house - you can see and hear the
water from laying in bed in the master bedroom. There's a fireplace
in the master bedroom, and also a TV-DVD/VCR for movie showing (but
no TV reception) with a collection of 295 well chosen movies (I
chose them). There's a Jacuzzied tub for two in the master bathroom.
There's a fireplace in the living room, and a futon couch that opens
into a comfortable full size bed.
There's a second bedroom, two steps up, off the living room but open
to it, with a bunk bed that has a full size lower bed and a single
upper. There's a half bath off the living room, so if two couples go
up, or a couple with children, they don't have to share a bathroom
at night. The den/office also functions nicely as a writers' and
artists' retreat, and has been the starting point - and midway jump
start - for two published novels and three published non-fiction
works, and a book of photographs. There are also two fold-out mats
that accommodate another two sleepers, and since the house is tiled
throughout and has radiant heat (hot water under the floor tile),
sleeping close to the floor on the mats is very comfortable.
There’s also a chair and ottoman for reading, that also opens up to
a single futon bed.
There's a stereo that plays CD's and tapes and a smattering of each.
The house is set up so that you can just walk in and occupy. There's
dishware, cookware, and I supply linens. Some people want to bring
their own, but you'll find the bed made up with fresh sheets and
fresh towels available. I ask that you keep the house clean, leave
it clean, make the bed with fresh sheets, and wash and dry and put
away the linens and dishes that you've used. There is laundry and
dishwasher soap there.
There's a patio in the front with great ocean views and some patio
furniture. There is another patio in the back, completely private
from the street. The front patio is also private because the street
is remote enough, and there is almost no one around. There are no
houses on either side, in back or directly in front. The nearest
house is about 300 or 350 feet away.
But the real miracle is the house itself. It's a series of curves.
The ceiling, in cross-section, is a softened bell shape; the
centerline, if there really were one, would be like a long slow
backwards 'S'; and the exterior shape is curved too. It has an
amazingly compelling and satisfying feel to it. It seems to resonate
with people, and they feel at home, as though it were their house at
the sea, not a stranger's place.
There's a large well stocked supermarket in Manchester, S&B, five
miles south of the house. And ten miles south, in Point Arena, there
is a very good restaurant and a movie theatre. The Arena Cove Bar
and Grill has good food and is very reasonably priced. Seven miles
north in Elk, the Greenwood Pier Cafe has been highly recommended.
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