Overview
Bodega Bay is an ocean-front town of 900 people (2020) in Sonoma County in California. It was the location for the filming of much of Alfred Hitchcock's horror film The Birds. Because Bodega Bay is on the Pacific Ocean, day-time temperatures are significantly cooler than the rest of Sonoma County. On a day when the high is 91°F in Santa Rosa, the high for Bodega Bay is likely to be around 70°F; if the high for Santa Rosa is 75°F, it's going to be chilly in Bodega Bay. So dress appropriately, and don't be surprised if on a very hot summer weekend in Sonoma County, a lot of people (and cars) have headed for the most accessible beaches, in Bodega Bay and north to Jenner.
6 things to do · 8 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Bodega Bay
Bodega Bay Seafood, Art, and Wine Festival
an annual festival for nearly two decades. It is usually held in late August and draws large crowds to the quiet coastal town to enjoy the local seafood and famous Northern Californian wines.
Five Brooks
A variety of horseback rides (beach, sunset, etc.) plus pony rides for youngster. (Chanslor Ranch is now a public park, but Five Brooks leases a portion of the property for private trail rides and boarding.)
Hagemann Ranch Rainbow Trout Fishing
The fishing pond on the ranch has been stocked with rainbow trout for over 35 years. Open March to October; weekends only from March through Memorial Day, then open daily through Labor Day; from Labor Day to the end of O…
Horse N Around Trail Rides
A western trail stable offering a wide variety of trails (ridge, beach, etc.) for rides of 30 minutes or longer.
UC Bodega Marine Laboratory
The drop-in tours include numerous marine aquarium displays, as well as information about the research done at the lab
Bodega Bay Heritage Gallery
Early California Art: celebrating the art and history of California, focusing on traditional and impressionist paintings, generally between 1880 and 1950.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–Nov. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 38°F. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Sonoma)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- STS Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport, Santa Rosa — 18 mi away. Directions
- CCR Buchanan Field, Concord — 58 mi away. Directions
- SFO San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco — 61 mi away (major hub). Directions
Bodega Bay is accessible by car by way of U.S. Highway 1 along the California coast. It is on the Pacific Ocean approximately 70 mi north of San Francisco and 20 mi west of Santa Rosa.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Bodega Bay Seafood, Art, and Wine Festival, Hagemann Ranch Rainbow Trout Fishing
- Lunch Drake's Sonoma Coast
- Afternoon UC Bodega Marine Laboratory
- Dinner Fisherman's Cove
- Evening Gourmet au Bay
Day 2
- Morning Five Brooks, Horse N Around Trail Rides
- Lunch Fishetarian Fish Market
- Afternoon Bodega Bay Heritage Gallery
- Dinner Ginochio's Kitchen
- Evening Roadhouse Coffee
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Get in
Bodega Bay is accessible by car by way of U.S. Highway 1 along the California coast. It is on the Pacific Ocean approximately 70 mi north of San Francisco and 20 mi west of Santa Rosa.
By bus
Get around
There is no public transportation in Bodega Bay, and Highway 1 — the primary road for the town, running parallel to the Pacific Ocean — is poorly suited for bicycles. This section especially is fully of deadly blind turns that are bad enough if you're in a car. You pretty much need a car to get around, as well as to get to the town.
See
Bodega Bay isn't "scenic" in the sense of being able to stroll through a small downtown - it has no downtown, with commercial buildings strung out along Highway 1 (which lacks sidewalks). So not really a "seeing" type of town. Of course, if you're in Bodega Bay and not focused on the natural landscape, you're probably lost, confused, or dealing with some sort of family tragedy that's got you stuck inside a house.
Do
Perhaps the single best reason to visit Bodega Bay is to hike a trail or spend time on a beach. The water is cold all twelve months of the year; if you're going to get in, you'll want to wear a wetsuit if you're spending an extended period of time in it.
The public beaches and hiking trails, beginning south of the town, and going north, include:
- Doran Regional Park
- Bodega Head - a good place for whale-watching, with a pleasant loop trail (Bodega Head Trail)
- Chanslor Ranch Regional Park (2025)
- Salmon Creek Beach and North Salmon Creek Beach
- Seven small beaches - Miwok Beach to Gleason Beach
- Duncan's Landing
- Wright's Beach (the portion of the Kortum Trail from Wright's Beach to Shell Beach is 1.25 miles)
- Shell Beach (the portion of the Kortum Trail from Shell Beach to Blind Beach to is 2.5 miles) (also, from Shell Beach, the Pomo Canyon Trail goes inland)
- Blind Beach
- Goat Rock Beach - dogs not allowed
All of the above, except Doran Regional Park, are part of the Sonoma Coast State Park.
Other than beaches and hikes, there is a variety of things to do in Bodega Bay:
Buy
Shop Local Color Gallery
The gallery features original art by established Sonoma County artists and emerging talent. The gallery features paintings, fine art prints, photography, luminous fused glass, decorative pottery, handcrafted jewelry, and handpainted scarves.
Eat
Eat Drake's Sonoma Coast
The restaurant for The Lodge at Bodega Bay, this is open only for breakfast and dinner. Upscale, with excellent views of Doran Beach and the Pacific Ocean.
Eat Fisherman's Cove
A local, family-owned seafood shack and fishing-marine supply store specializing in fresh local oysters, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Consider ordering online ahead of time, though some items (fresh oysters, daily specials) may not be listed.
Eat Fishetarian Fish Market
Sustainable locally caught seafood. While mostly a restaurant, it also sells fresh seafood. (Beat the wait for food: order online.)
Eat Ginochio's Kitchen
Try the smoked brisket or crab sandwiches. Huge parking lot, plenty of seating.
Eat Rocker Oysterfeller's at the Wharf
A "Southern-style roadhouse eatery", this opened in mid-2023, replacing the Lucas Wharf restaurant.
Eat Spud Point Crab Company
This small cafe offers one of the best clam chowders in Sonoma County. That's a two-edged sword: parking is a pain, the cafe usually has a waiting line outside, and outdoor eating is limited (compared to the number of customers). And when it's crowded, the menu may be limited to clam chowder and a few sandwiches that don't need to be heated. [Fisherman's Cove cafe, literally next door, is as well-rated, and the line may be considerably shorter.]
Eat Terrapin Creek Cafe & Restaurant
The parking lot is small, and there is a single bathroom, but the service is excellent and the food is consistently delicious. Family-run. Try the seared scallop appetizer.
Eat The Tides Wharf & Restaurant
Casual seafood restaurant with big windows overlooking Bodega Bay, plus a gift shop & fish market, on the west side of Highway 1. (Not to be confused with the Bay View Restaurant and Lounge, in the main lodge of the Inn at the Tides.)
Drink
Drink Gourmet au Bay
Wine bar and waterfront deck, offering wood-fired cuisine. Try the crab cakes or the giant bowl of mussels.
Drink Roadhouse Coffee
Decent coffee and pastries. Open usefully early.
Sleep
Nearby
Occidental
City / town · 20 listings · 8 mi away
Jenner
City / town · 7 listings · 10 mi away
Monte Rio
City / town · 3 listings · 10 mi away
Guerneville
City / town · 23 listings · 12 mi away
Sebastopol
City / town · 26 listings · 13 mi away
Forestville
City / town · 10 listings · 13 mi away
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve
Park · 15 mi away
Fort Ross
Park · 5 listings · 17 mi away
My experience
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