How to Get from Sonoma to the Beach
The breathtaking Pacific Ocean is only about an hour from the charming town of Sonoma, which means the beautiful coast is the perfect place to head for a fun-filled day.
The drive to the beach is full of scenery like redwoods, cliffs, vineyards, orchards, farms, produce stands, and quaint villages. Here are two of the very best routes to take from the town of Sonoma to the coast.
No matter which of these two routes you choose to get to these excellent beach destinations, you will treasure your time exploring the Sonoma Coast and these seaside hamlets that welcome you.
Route to the Fishing Village of Bodega Bay
- Head out of Sonoma on Highway 12 East (Broadway), continue about 2 miles
- Turn right onto Watmaugh Road, continue for about 2.5 miles
- Turn right onto Highway 116 West (Stage Gulch Road), continue for 3.2 miles
- Turn right on Adobe Road, continue for approximately 4 miles
- Turn left onto Corona Road, continue for 1.5 miles
- At the traffic circle, take the second exit and stay on Corona Road, continue less than a mile
- Continue on Skillman Lane, continue about 2.5 miles
- Turn right onto Bodega Avenue, continue about 4.5 miles
- Continue onto Valley Ford Road, continue for 10.5 miles
- Turn north on Highway 1 to Bodega Bay, continue less than 8 miles
Things to do around Bodega Bay
- Devour fresh crab sandwiches with a view of the boats in Bodega Harbor
- Watch for whales from atop Bodega Head
- Fly a kite along the breezy beach at Doran Regional Park
- Stop at the nearby town of Bodega to visit film scenes from Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘The Birds‘
- Join a whale-watching cruise or a fishing charter
- Ride horseback along the beach or with incredible bluff-top views
- On Fridays, enjoy a tour of the Bodega Marine Laboratory
Route to Jenner, Where the Russian River Meets the Sea
- From Sonoma Plaza, turn onto Highway 12 West (West Napa Street), continue less than a mile
- Turn right onto Highway 12 West (Sonoma Highway), continue approximately 19 miles
- Stay straight onto Fourth Street in Santa Rosa, continue about one mile
- Slight right onto College Avenue, continue a bit more than a mile
- Merge onto US Highway 101 North (Redwood Highway North) toward Eureka, continue nearly four miles
- Exit River Road (Exit 494) toward Guerneville, continue for a quarter mile
- Turn left onto Mark West Springs Road, which becomes River Road, continue 15 miles
- River Road becomes Highway 116 West.
- Enter the rustic river town of Guerneville
- Continue on Highway 116 West along the Russian River for 12 miles to the coastal Highway 1
Things to do around Jenner
- Take in the views and beach at Goat Rock
- Have lunch in the charming town of Jenner
- Step back in time at the fascinating Fort Ross State Historic Park
- Check out the Pygmy Forest at Salt Point State Park
- Hike the public access bluff trails in The Sea Ranch
- Get a bite to eat in the town of Gualala
- Drive south to Bodega Bay and stop to stroll the beaches of the Sonoma Coast State Park
For more ideas, discover all of Sonoma County’s Coast and Sea Villages.
Don’t miss these helpful safety tips for water activities.
Together, we can protect and preserve the beauty and natural resources of Sonoma County for generations to come. Check out our page on Sustainable Travel, and look over the Leave No Trace Seven Principles.
Written by Sonoma Insider Suzie Rodriguez
The word is out: Sonoma County is the place to be in 2025. Travel writers can’t get enough of the…
“We in Sonoma!” I picked up this unofficial anthem when I swapped the hustle of San Francisco for the charm…
Set along the banks of the Petaluma River, the exciting town of Petaluma blends small-town warmth with a vibrant atmosphere…
Now that remote work is seemingly here to stay, many of us can get the job done just about anywhere. Inevitably,…
Nestled in the heart of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa is a hub that offers the perfect blend of urban and…
In a world of go, go, go, more and more travelers are seeking a “slowcation” – time to slow down,…
With a massive flood of zero-proof beverages recently hitting the market, it’s become fairly easy to find nonalcoholic alternatives on…
As a Sonoma local, I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing Sonoma County’s finest offerings and generally end up with the…
Fall is a busy time in Sonoma County — from colorful hikes to the perfect pumpkin patch, discover what locals…
Springtime offers a brilliant array of things to see and do in Sonoma County, from wildflower walks to cheese crawls!…
As a premier wine and food destination, Sonoma County attracts travelers seeking a getaway that feeds the senses, connects people…
It’s not hard to find something going on somewhere on the weekends, but what about when your trip stretches into…
Twice each year, some 20,000 gray whales pass along the California coast as they swim south to breeding lagoons on…
This portion of our guide to the Russian River Valley follows the lazily meandering river on its journey through northern Sonoma County as…
This final portion of our guide to the Russian River Valley continues west to where the Russian River meets the coast…
This portion of our guide to the Russian River Valley follows the Russian River as it ventures into redwood country. On this leg of…
Every activity in Sonoma County offers the opportunity for small pauses. Whether you’re exploring the redwoods, floating down the Russian…
Sonoma County is a place that inspires you to pause and take time to reflect, connect and find joy in…
With breathtaking views, sandy beaches and picturesque towns forming Sonoma County’s western border, a drive down Hwy. 1 is more than…
Late fall through winter is considered off-season at the Sonoma Coast, but we consider them ideal times to visit our…
THIS IS WINE COUNTRY.
Share your experience using #SonomaCounty or #LifeOpensUp