Pacific Coast 3-Day Roadtrip Itinerary

Begin your fun in the historic town of Valley Ford, the gateway to the Sonoma Coast. In the 1870s, Valley Ford was a stop on the North Pacific Coast Railroad. Check out the historic Valley Ford Hotel, built in 1864, with six charming guest rooms, each with a queen bed and private bath.

While exploring the inn, check out the Southern-inspired menu in the hotel’s restaurant, Rocker Oysterfeller’s. It’s a delicious spot for lunch and dinner with plenty of tasty ways to enjoy fresh, local oysters.

Continue north on Highway 1 to discover the two “Bodegas.” Bodega Bay and nearby Bodega are picturesque on this iconic stretch of ocean, and these seaside towns were both film locations for Alfred Hitchcock’s movie “The Birds.”

Visit the film locations from this classic thriller:

• Bay Hill Road in Bodega is where actress Tippi Hedren drives in the film
• Potter School House behind St. Teresa’s Church in Bodega
• Tides Wharf in Bodega Bay
• Brenner House on the west shore of Bodega Bay harbor

In the quaint fishing village of Bodega Bay, you’ll want to stop and sink your toes in the sand. Doran Regional Park is a wonderful beach that protects Bodega Harbor from the Pacific Ocean. Drop by Candy & Kites to pick up a souvenir and a beautiful kite — this is the perfect stretch of sand to let your spirits and a kite soar.

For a truly memorable experience, ride along the shore on horseback. Chanslor Stables, a working western horse ranch, offers guided horseback rides to mountaintops, grassy meadows, coastal dunes, or the beach. Horse N Around Trail Rides offers horseback rides through the dunes, a long beach, and scenic inland trails.

If the ocean is calling you, Bodega Bay offers waves for surfing enthusiasts as well as beginners. Bodega Bay Surf Shack rents a variety of styles of surfboards, wetsuits, skim boards, and body boards, plus they offer private lessons.

There is nothing quite like paddling over the water as you take in all the sights, and Bodega Bay Kayak rents kayaks or stand-up paddleboards, including lessons and tours on the ocean, bay, river, or estuaries.

Enjoy a seaside lunch at the Tides Wharf in Bodega Bay. This is the location of many key scenes in the movie, “The Birds.” Here, you’ll find an excellent restaurant and bar with ocean views, plus a gift shop, snack bar, and a gourmet market where you can get picnic items to enjoy at one of the outdoor picnic tables or on the beach.

Get a close-up look at marine life at the Bodega Marine Laboratory. This 362-acre research and teaching site is part of the University of California and includes a fascinating mix of coastal life and habitats to view. Docent-led tours are available on most Fridays from 2 – 4 p.m. for individuals and groups of less than 10.

Did you know that more than 20,000 gray whales migrate past the Sonoma Coast each year? From January through May, mothers and their newborns hug the shore as they head north to Alaska. Spot whales in Sonoma County from the ocean overlook at Bodega Head.

Go wine “surfing” at Gourmet Au Bay, which only requires lifting a glass of wine to sip and savor since a flight of three wines is served on a small wooden surfboard for your tasting pleasure. Relax and enjoy at indoor and outdoor tables — all have waterfront views.

After a day of fresh air and sunshine, you’ll have an appetite for a scrumptious dinner at the coast’s nationally acclaimed Terrapin Creek Cafe. This is a casual neighborhood spot where locals and visitors gather to enjoy artfully prepared Sonoma Wine Country cuisine.

Stay at Bodega Bay Lodge, where all 84 guestrooms have views of the water. Enjoy sweeping vistas, ocean breezes, and the call of sea birds, distant fog horns, and crashing waves.

Sonoma County’s safety tips for water activities.

Take in the breathtaking coastal scenery north on Highway 1. The 10-mile stretch between Bodega Bay and Jenner should take a few hours, so you can make many stops to enjoy the spectacular scenery. Don’t miss a chance to walk in the sand at one of the many beaches that make up the breathtaking, protected area of Sonoma Coast State Park.

Miles of trails, sandy beaches, and scenic overlooks beckon travelers to get out of the car and explore. Take a hike along the Kortum Trail. This easy, bluff-top trail goes between Wright’s Beach, Blind Beach, and the trailhead at Shell Beach.

Goat Rock is a sight to behold at can’t-miss Goat Rock Beach. Here, in addition to the impressive rock stack, hang gliders are frequent, and migrating whales are often spotted.

When you reach the charming ocean town of Jenner, you’ll have an appetite that comes from quality time spent by the sea. Enjoy an excellent lunch at River’s End Restaurant & Inn. Guests come for breathtaking views, romantic dining, and wonderful food. The dining room is intimate, with views of Goat Rock and the Russian River entering the Pacific Ocean.

Continue north for a glimpse into history at Fort Ross State Historic Park. The settlement of Fort Ross was established by the Russian-American Company, a commercial hunting and trading outpost. Trade was vital to Russian outposts in Alaska, where settlements could not grow enough food, and long winters exhausted supplies. The colony that once thrived here at Fort Ross California, provided vital supplies for Alaska, including profitable sea otters.

A fantastic day traveling along the coast deserves an equally amazing room at the end of the journey. Named one of Sunset Magazine’s “10 Hideaways by the Sea,” the Timber Cove Resort offers guests spacious rooms with hot tubs, fireplaces, and views of the coastline. Hiking trails surround the property, and a cozy outdoor fire pit welcomes guests to relax and recount their adventures.

At the Timber Cove Resort, you’ll get a view of Benjamin “Bene” Bufano’s Peace Obelisk, a towering 93-foot contemporary art sculpture created in the 1960s and located on the grounds. Bufano was inspired by symbols of peace — the Madonna and children.

The inn’s restaurant, the Coast Kitchen, is a culinary delight serving local produce, meat, and seafood. Pair your meal with Sonoma County wines or locally brewed beers.

More ideas to do at and around the Timber Cove Resort in Jenner, California.

More to do in Jenner — the Sonoma County town by the sea.

On day three, head north along the pristine Sonoma Coast for stunning views and hidden gems to explore.

Have you ever hiked through a pygmy forest? Discover this wonder at Salt Point State Park. Here, the Pygmy Forest can be found via a delightful 3.8-mile trail loop, which takes about two hours. Get a close look at this unique forest full of pygmy trees, which are mature yet miniature. Though some of the trees in this forest are more than 100 years old, most are only a few feet tall, including redwood trees, Bishop pine, and Mendocino cypress.

Come to the adjacent Kruse Rhododendron State Reserve to be wowed by nature’s palette. This pristine reserve is known for its numerous rhododendrons, which bloom in May and turn the forest brilliant pink with blossoms. The reserve is also home to impressive second-growth redwood, grand firs, Douglas fir, and tanoaks.

Visit the Sea Ranch Chapel, just off Highway 1, near mile marker 55.5 in its seaside housing community. This small, whimsical building seems poised to take flight. It’s even more imaginative on the inside, with breathtaking stained glass and one-of-a-kind artistry that is worth a visit.

The Sea Ranch is a planned community developed in the early 1960s for vacation and second homes. You can rent a house here to stay a while on the ocean and wake up to marvelous views.

Most of this community is closed to the public, but there are six Sea Ranch public access areas that welcome you to hike along the bluffs or stroll the secluded beaches.

Explore the town of Gualala, once the West Coast’s lumber capital. Discover the history, arts, fine dining, and outdoor recreation abundant here.

Gualala Arts Center is a beautiful facility surrounded by trees that welcomes you to discover its unique and changing array of culture and arts. You’ll find special exhibits as well as performing arts and music.

With its eponymous river and the Gualala Point Regional Park, outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers will find plenty to see and do in and around Gualala.

Come back soon and visit any season, as the weather is mild, and there’s always something wonderful to explore on the beautiful Sonoma Coast.