The Cetusaurus at Irish Beach
Irish Beach, California

The Cetusaurus at Irish Beach is an unusual house, an architectural marvel on the Mendocino Coast. It's 140 miles north of 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-VCR for movie showing (but no TV reception) with a collection of 300 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, very successfully making a second suite at night if two couples wish to share the house. There's a half bath off the living room, so if two couples do go up they don't have to share a bath at night.

There's a second bedroom, two steps up, off the living room but open to it, that's set up like an office. There are bunk beds that accommodate another two sleepers, and since the house is tiled throughout and has radiant heat (hot water under the floor tile), sleeping any where is very comfortable.

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 it. 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.

There's a patio in the front with great ocean views and 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 home 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.