Bodega Bay

Protected by a bay from the wild whims of the Pacific Ocean, Bodega Bay is a picturesque fishing village on the Sonoma Coast that harbors sights, sounds, and activities — by land or by sea — that calls to the adventurer in all of us. Bodega Head, a rocky cliff that overlooks the ocean, is perfect for strolling along the cliffs and watching for migrating whales.

Find secret coves and beaches by paddling on a kayak during a guided tour. Discover your inner Beach Boy by taking surfing lessons from Bodega Bay Surf Shack. Catch your own dinner on one of the local charter fishing cruises.

For those who are taking out their own boats Fisherman’s Cove offers fishing tackle, picnic supplies, fresh seafood — especially oysters — and chowders. If you want to sit and be served, a good meal with a great view can be found at the Tides Wharf Restaurant.

As you head north, you’ll pass public, yet protected, beaches that are part of the Sonoma Coast State Park. Driving just a few miles inland, you’ll reach the tiny town of Bodega. This was the setting for Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, which still gives viewers a temporary case of ornithophobia 50 years after its release.