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 call 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. Being one of the most well-known coastal yet quaint cities in Sonoma County, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better seaside retreat.
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.
What To Do in Bodega Bay
Some of Sonoma County’s biggest draws are in the small fishing village of Bodega Bay, from outdoor adventure to pure relaxation. Things to do in Bodega Bay range from exploring beaches and hiking trails to wine tasting, souvenir shopping and bayside dining. A day here might be spent in a hotel spa, learning about local history, or out on the water – or even doing a bit of everything.
Outdoor Activities
Doran Regional Park in Bodega Bay
Full of outdoor fun, Bodega Bay is one of the most exciting stops on a Sonoma Coast itinerary. Stunning views of the Pacific Ocean can be enjoyed from hiking trails in Bodega Bay, like the almost two-mile, clifftop Bodega Head Trail, or while horseback riding in the hills. Bodega Bay boat charters and tours take you out on the water for deep-sea fishing, or simply to feel the wind in your hair.
Whale-watching tours are popular from January to May, when Pacific gray whales migrate through the area. Year-round, you can go kayaking and stand-up paddling on the bay, ocean, or inland waterways, with or without a naturalist guide. The Sonoma Coast is lined with great surfing, birdwatching and tidepooling spots, and right by the bay, you can play golf along rolling fairways. Bodega Bay camping can be enjoyed in a tent or RV at various beachfront sites.
Wine Tasting
Sonoma County’s renowned wine culture is on display in Bodega Bay tasting rooms, wine bars and restaurants. In this cool-climate coastal region, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the most common grape varieties, grown in vineyards staked along steep, windswept hillsides. Wine tasting in Bodega Bay might take you to Sonoma Coast Vineyards on Highway 1, where the tasting room looks out at the ocean, or to Gourmet Au Bay, a cozy waterfront wine bar with a wide array of small-production, highly rated Sonoma County wines. Nearby wineries include Black Kite Cellars and Occidental Cellars, both with hillside tasting rooms overlooking the sea.
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Getting to Bodega Bay
Bodega Bay is roughly 67 miles north of San Francisco, about 1-½ hours by car. To enjoy an epic day trip from San Francisco to Bodega Bay, take U.S. Route 101 north to Petaluma, hop on Highway 116 heading west, then take Highway 1 to the coast. Bodega Bay is also one of the best stops on a Highway 1 road trip, as it offers sweeping views over the Pacific Ocean and one of the most charming seaside villages in California.
Points of Interest
Bodega Head in Bodega Bay
High above the Pacific Ocean, the Bodega Head peninsula offers dramatic cliffs and winding trails overlooking the sea, while far below, Sonoma Coast State Park spans 17 miles’ worth of sandy beaches and sheltered coves. Right at Bodega Harbor, where sailboats are docked in a calm marina, Fisherman’s Cove is a family-owned seafood shack specializing in fresh regional oysters.
A few miles inland, the historic town of Bodega was a filming location for Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 thriller The Birds; one scary scene was shot at the Potter Schoolhouse, built from local redwoods in 1873 and still standing today. Other familiar scenes in the film were shot at the Tides Wharf Restaurant, which plays the film 24/7 in the lobby and sells movie memorabilia in the gift shop.
Bodega Bay Dining
Spud Point Crab Company across from Bodega Bay Harbor
Dining in the town of Bodega Bay is all about fresh seafood and farm-to-table fare. California Coast delicacies like clam chowder, fish and chips, and oysters can be enjoyed at top seafood spots like the Tides Wharf and Fisherman’s Cove. Dungeness crab season kicks off in winter and lasts through midsummer, but these prized crustaceans are celebrated all season long at the family-owned Spud Point Crab Company.
Bodega Bay’s farmers’ markets and small farms round out the dining scene. The Bodega Bay Community Farmers Market, held on Sundays from late May through October, is where visitors gather to shop for local produce and enjoy live music and dancing. Sustainable, organic, and biodynamic farming practices are the norm at Bodega Bay-area farms, which raise everything from heirloom fruits and veggies to sheep, goats, and cows. Creative dishes made with local ingredients are found at area restaurants like the elegant, bayside Drakes.
Where to Stay
The Lodge at Bodega Bay
Staying in Bodega Bay enables you to lean into the laid-back vibe, enjoying bay and ocean views and easy beach access. Bodega Bay hotels and lodging range from world-class hotels to romantic inns and beachfront rentals, as well as family- and dog-friendly campgrounds right by the sand. Notable stays include The Lodge at Bodega Bay, with an onsite spa and fireside lounge, and The Inn at the Tides, with the bay-view Tides Wharf restaurant. Wake up each day in Bodega Bay to the calls of shorebirds and the salty scent of ocean spray in the air.
Local Bodega Bay Businesses
1st Tee
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Ace It Bike Tours Bodega Bay
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Alba
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Albatross Lookout
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Almost Paradise
Bodega Bay
Arched Rock Beach
Bodega Bay
Bay View House
Bodega Bay
Bay View Restaurant at Inn at the Tides
Bodega Bay
Beach View
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Bella Vista Sonoma
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Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail
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Birdie House
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Bodega Bay FAQs
Leave No Trace Seven Principles
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