Susanne’s guidebook to Bodega Bay
Food scene
Fun local restaurant! Be ready for a line; go early. Grab lunch and head to the marina or up to Bodega Head for a picnic lunch!
89 locals recommend
Spud Point Crab Company
1910 Westshore RdFun local restaurant! Be ready for a line; go early. Grab lunch and head to the marina or up to Bodega Head for a picnic lunch!
Nice restaurant with outdoor and indoor seating. Great for date-night or a couples' dinner.
33 locals recommend
Drakes Fireside Lounge
California 1Nice restaurant with outdoor and indoor seating. Great for date-night or a couples' dinner.
Lovely small restaurant in town. Very good food, excellent service. Make a reservation ahead of time!
78 locals recommend
Terrapin Creek
1580 Eastshore RdLovely small restaurant in town. Very good food, excellent service. Make a reservation ahead of time!
The crab cakes! Grab a table outside and enjoy the harbor / marina views with a glass of wine on a sunny afternoon. (If it's foggy, which it often is, this might not be the best plan!)
39 locals recommend
Gourmet Au Bay
1412 Bay Flat RdThe crab cakes! Grab a table outside and enjoy the harbor / marina views with a glass of wine on a sunny afternoon. (If it's foggy, which it often is, this might not be the best plan!)
Our local tasting room. Great if you want to stay closely and if you'd like a great ocean view. Their reds are decent. Make a reservation ahead of time.
23 locals recommend
Sonoma Coast Vineyards
555 CA-1Our local tasting room. Great if you want to stay closely and if you'd like a great ocean view. Their reds are decent. Make a reservation ahead of time.
Great champagne tasting along the Russian River (Guerneville). You can also grab some lunch here. Open until 16:00. Make a reservation!
25 locals recommend
Korbel Winery
13250 River RoadGreat champagne tasting along the Russian River (Guerneville). You can also grab some lunch here. Open until 16:00. Make a reservation!
Lovely winery way up in the woods above the clouds along the Sonoma Coast. Oftentimes Jenner and Bodega are in the fog, while this place has sunshine.
32 locals recommend
Fort Ross Vineyard Tasting Room
15725 Meyers Grade RdLovely winery way up in the woods above the clouds along the Sonoma Coast. Oftentimes Jenner and Bodega are in the fog, while this place has sunshine.
This is a cozy restaurant in Jenner, just a short drive North on Highway 1. Ocean views. Reservations required.
105 locals recommend
River's End Restaurant & Inn
11048 CA-1This is a cozy restaurant in Jenner, just a short drive North on Highway 1. Ocean views. Reservations required.
For a truly world class Pinot Noir, make an appointment at Occidental Wines. It's a very small winery with limited tasting opportunities, but you can email or call them to set up an appointment. They book out several weeks ahead of time, so plan your visit early.
Occidental
14715 Bodega HighwayFor a truly world class Pinot Noir, make an appointment at Occidental Wines. It's a very small winery with limited tasting opportunities, but you can email or call them to set up an appointment. They book out several weeks ahead of time, so plan your visit early.
Fun restaurant bar with excellent food and cocktails, and great ambiance.
38 locals recommend
Fern Bar
6780 Depot StFun restaurant bar with excellent food and cocktails, and great ambiance.
Sightseeing
This is a popular whale watching spot - bring binoculars! (Jan-May)
Grab a sandwich from Spud's and head up to Bodega Head for a picnic with views and a hike!
Gorgeous little beach down below (rough waters, not for swimming)
72 locals recommend
Bodega Head
This is a popular whale watching spot - bring binoculars! (Jan-May)
Grab a sandwich from Spud's and head up to Bodega Head for a picnic with views and a hike!
Gorgeous little beach down below (rough waters, not for swimming)
Goat Rock Beach
Breathtaking views
The Sonoma Coast State Park has TONS of hiking trails.
Challenging hike around 6 miles long. Bring the camera - very scenic.
Pomo Canyon Trail is in Duncan's Mills. Take Willow Creek Road to Pomo Campground Road and it's about a half a mile to the trailhead near the campground. The trail is about 6 miles long and passes through the redwood forest, then over grasslands decorated with boulders, and then climbs up until you can see the ocean waves of the Pacific Coast. The trail ends at Shell Beach and is a wonderful place to have a picnic. If you don't plan on hiking the 6 miles back you will need to park a car at Shell beach and carpool to the trailhead.
27 locals recommend
Pomo Canyon Trail
Pomo Canyon TrailThe Sonoma Coast State Park has TONS of hiking trails.
Challenging hike around 6 miles long. Bring the camera - very scenic.
Pomo Canyon Trail is in Duncan's Mills. Take Willow Creek Road to Pomo Campground Road and it's about a half a mile to the trailhead near the campground. The trail is about 6 miles long and passes through the redwood forest, then over grasslands decorated with boulders, and then climbs up until you can see the ocean waves of the Pacific Coast. The trail ends at Shell Beach and is a wonderful place to have a picnic. If you don't plan on hiking the 6 miles back you will need to park a car at Shell beach and carpool to the trailhead.
This is an easy out-and back trail. Perfect for fresh air and wonderful views. No shade, so hat and sunscreen on a sunny day are a must. Starts/ends at Shell Beach and Goat Rock Beach. Full distance out/back is 8.9 miles (about 3h 30 min) but you can easily just hike desired distance since it's not a loop.
7 locals recommend
Kortum Trail
Kortum TrailThis is an easy out-and back trail. Perfect for fresh air and wonderful views. No shade, so hat and sunscreen on a sunny day are a must. Starts/ends at Shell Beach and Goat Rock Beach. Full distance out/back is 8.9 miles (about 3h 30 min) but you can easily just hike desired distance since it's not a loop.
Check out the tiny town of Bodega on your way to Sebastopol! (Where the classic Hitchcock film “The Birds” was filmed) There are a few vintage shops, a crystal shop and a bar. Don't blink if you drive through - you'll miss it!
291 locals recommend
Bodega Bay
Check out the tiny town of Bodega on your way to Sebastopol! (Where the classic Hitchcock film “The Birds” was filmed) There are a few vintage shops, a crystal shop and a bar. Don't blink if you drive through - you'll miss it!
Walk to this trail and beach from the house. If tide is low, you can walk through the cliff via the tunnel which connects to Doran Beach. Great beach for tide pooling.
17 locals recommend
Pinnacle Gulch Trail
20600 Mockingbird DrWalk to this trail and beach from the house. If tide is low, you can walk through the cliff via the tunnel which connects to Doran Beach. Great beach for tide pooling.
Doran Beach - beautiful private stretch of Doran Beach right below the neighborhood; you have access as our guest. It stretches further to the North towards the Doran campground, where it is a public beach.
48 locals recommend
Doran Beach
201 Doran Beach RdDoran Beach - beautiful private stretch of Doran Beach right below the neighborhood; you have access as our guest. It stretches further to the North towards the Doran campground, where it is a public beach.
City/town information
This is a fun town with lots of small shops, art, restaurants, beer, wine and cider tastings in the Barlow District. If Bodega Bay is foggy and cold (hey, it happens!), head to Sebastopol for the day, where the weather is usually sunnier and warmer.
119 locals recommend
Sebastopol
This is a fun town with lots of small shops, art, restaurants, beer, wine and cider tastings in the Barlow District. If Bodega Bay is foggy and cold (hey, it happens!), head to Sebastopol for the day, where the weather is usually sunnier and warmer.
City advice
What to pack
Bodega Bay can be cold and foggy
Please bring lawyers of clothing including a wind breaker and a warm coat, a beanie and a good sun hat. Also bring good hiking shoes so you can enjoy all the hikes.
The town is very casual. Jeans, a sweater and a warm jacket are your friends.
Check the weather forecast before heading there - it's gorgeous but can often be foggy and windy, so please be prepared!
What to pack
Bring your groceries
There are two very small (and expensive) grocery stores in town. We recommend stopping in Santa Rosa or Sebastopol to stock up before your visit.
Book before you go
Fishing
If you'd like to enjoy a boating activity, be sure to book ahead of time!
Miss Anita’s Fishing Charters
Bodega Bay Sportfishing
Miss Vic Sportfishing
Book before you go
Horseback riding
Several horse ranches are available around the area. Call Chanslor Stables North of town to reserve. They offer guided trail tours as well as pony rides for the younger children.
Book before you go
Ziplining
Occidental has a very cool zip lining adventure among he redwoods. Sonoma Canopy Tours
Book before you go
Kayaking
Kayak in Salmon Creek! Enjoy wildlife: otters, turtles, seabirds and beautiful fauna along the river. Rent kayaks at Bodega Bay Kayak