Work is piling up and free time is at a minimum–we all know how that feels. As the daily grind became too much for me to handle last semester, I got away for a weekend, and the purity of it was exactly what I needed. Maybe it’s just what you’ve been needing, too.
When my father and stepmother came to visit, he reserved a house near Bodega Bay, a small town on the coast of Northern California. We hopped in the car, all 8 of us (4 adults, 2 kids, and 2 dogs!) and set off across California wine country for the coast north of San Francisco.
California’s coast is not what most people expect it to be. The beaches of Southern California are quite different from most of the state’s long coastline. It is rugged. It is usually cold and windy. It is wildly colorful and full of life. It is gorgeous.
Renting a vacation home on most of California’s coast means a house without much around it except ocean views and beautiful hills. This was no exception…but there was one problem: no wifi. In fact, not even really a cell phone signal…
I felt more than a bit nervous about not having Internet access for 3 days, and I wasn’t the only one. However, like good family travelers, we reminded ourselves to remain in the moment. We took walks like this one right outside the front door. We saw countless deer, and my husband even saw a bobcat on an early morning walk.
We spent some time on the area’s beaches: windy, wild, and breathtaking.
Portuguese Beach, colorful ice plant, and the famous Highway 1 on the right
Bodega Bay is a small town that lies in a busy geographic position. It sits at the intersection of the Pacific and North American plates (yes, as in earthquakes) on Bodega Harbor, which was formed by a depression in the infamous San Andreas fault. The whole area is protected and part of a national marine sanctuary. Despite the town’s small size, it is well-known here in California as a place to get away from the busy-ness of life. The simplicity of life here, centered around the rhythms of the ocean, feels like a different world compared to city life, centered around the rhythms of stoplights and traffic.
Being on the ocean means excellent seafood. From November to June, crab is the big thing around here.
In addition to watching the fishing boats at the harbor, one can stay busy just watching birds and other visitors like this harbor seal.
Right next to Bodega Harbor is Bodega Head, a long piece of land resulting from the earthquake activity. It provides the perfect place to walk because it is so beautiful. Bodega Harbor is on one side and the Pacific Ocean is on the other.
If you’re here between December and April, you will probably see whales migrating. We did. There was a gray whale playing around right off the cliffs. The show it put on was much more impressive than what I could capture in a photograph, especially because I enjoyed watching instead of trying to take pictures.
And when we pulled ourselves away from those views, we played games, ate meals together, and chatted…the rhythms of family, food, and nature. Thank goodness there was no wifi. I didn’t miss it for a second!
Where do you go to connect with yourself, family, or nature? How do you feel vacationing without an Internet connection?
This post is part of this week’s photo series at Budget Travelers Sandbox, Delicious Baby, and R We There Yet Mom.
I love Bodega Bay! It’s rugged and beautiful and feels authentic, unlike the beaches in Miami or Southern California (if you know what i mean).
Great photos
Ana (Ana Travels) recently posted..Children’s Games From Around the World (free) e-book
Yes, I know what you mean. Although I like the beaches of S. Cal too, they are very different! These have a certain atmosphere and feel dangerous and wild.
This sounds like a great place for the next time I need to disconnect.
Ayngelina recently posted..My mother the assassin
Bodega Bay is where I escape to for a one-day vacation. Though, I have never been to Spud Point Crab Co.! Next time
Annette | Bucket List Journey recently posted..Lamb Butt and My Second British Pea Experience
That is so cool that you can go there for the day. It is such a beautiful place.
Looks like a great place to unplug and unwind. I spent a few hours in Bodega Bay during a road trip up the coast, and it was a crazy, blustery day but still incredibly beautiful. Great photos!
Andi at The Particular Traveler recently posted..Travel Tip: When to Use a Travel Agent
Those crazy blustery days can definitely exist there! But it’s much nicer when the weather is calmer.
Beautiful wildlife and landscape. In south Italy we have then same flowers along the coast as those shown on your photo 106, and I’ve always wondered what they are called. Do you know?
Thank you. We call those flowers ice plant. They are a type of succulent. I looked it up to find its botanical name, which is carpobrotus edulis, and found out that it is from S. Africa and spreads very quickly. Interesting that you have it in Italy. It is such a typical look of the California coast–I had no idea that it was planted here (many years ago).
What a beautiful place for a weekend getaway – made all the more enjoyable by the fact that you had to disconnect from the outside world. Sometimes that’s exactly what we need even though we don’t realize it. Love the photo of the harbour seal – he looks like he’s posing for you!
Lisa recently posted..Percy Jackson and Our European Trip
This is so not what I would have expected from California beaches
I guess all I’ve seen on tv is southern California. Looks lovely though… The beaches, the harbor, the restaurant, the seals,… On my travel wishlist it goes 
Sabrina recently posted..Kayaking in Austin
That sounds amazing. How are prices there for food and accomodation?
Average Traveller recently posted..How to Use Crosswalk Flags in Port Angeles
Food is pretty standard for California…there are cheaper places and more expensive places, so you can find entrees for $12 and up. We stayed in a home (a vacation rental) and therefore bought food and cooked there. The house had 3 bedrooms and an ocean view, and it was more than $300/night, which seems expensive until I consider that we could prepare meals there, had our dogs, and had lots of space + the views. The town is small, so I don’t know about other accommodation options, but it’s near Point Reyes and other places that have more options.
Stunning shots! It’s nice to get away from all the distractions and just be in the moment. I can’t remember the last time that actually happened!
Nancie recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday — June 14, 2012 — Rockin’ on the ROK with Buddha
Sounds beautiful! I’m also really short of free time. Just started a new job after 4 months of holidays!
With so much beauty around, I wouldn’t miss not having wifi either.
InsideJourneys recently posted..#TPThursday: Treasure Beach Jamaica
Wonderful, wonderful photos!
I lived in California for 8 years and this was one of my very favorite spots. 
I love the wildness of it!
Krista recently posted..Serendipity at the Blue Grotto of Malta
This looks like a very relaxing place. I love the photo with the purple flowers and the beach views are gorgeous. I love California’s coast.
Lisa recently posted..Peacock Island: Photo of the Day
Bodega Bay is one of my favorite places to spend time. I’ve been going there since I was a little girl visiting California and now we take visitors there. We also like showing people places where the movie “The Birds” was filmed.
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..Vancouver Views
Wow! I love the picture of the crab traps. This looks like such a great area to explore!
Jessica recently posted..A WWII “What If” in Paradise
I’ve been to Bodega Bay, and it was surprisingly gorgeous. Very small-townish, and I really liked that.
Sonja recently posted..Photo Friday: Weikersheim Castle and Gardens
From the photos, I would have guessed this was North-Eastern US or Canada rather than California. I’m reminded of scenes from a 60s Hitchcock film, a little secret and mysterious. Being completely off the grid would probably add to that feeling. Very cool!
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Funny that you say that about a 60s Hitchcock film because this is exactly where The Birds was filmed!
Gorgeous shots. I felt relaxed just reading about your weekend. I certainly need a break like this with no WiFi. Sounds like heaven to just enjoy a place and people without worry or work.
Suzy recently posted..Sóller, Mallorca Wishes You Were Here
Exactly–being away from worry and work is really important sometimes. Just mentally getting away from our usual distractions is so good for the soul.
Wow this place looks absolutely stunning. And all of my favourite things: Seafood, relaxation, Sea, Whales, Seals. Perfect. Like Suzy said it made me feel relaxed just reading about it.
I love going to our bach in the Pelorus Sound up in the Marlborough Sounds (South Island of New Zealand) for escapes from the world. No power (there is a gas fridge and cooker though), no cell phones, no internet and boat access only (45 minutes by boat from the nearest harbour). It’s perfect and the best place to relax and unwind. Lots of fishing, swimming, walking and hanging out by the fire chatting or playing card/board games and reading books. The lack of internet doesn’t bother me for some reason. I love being out of it all for a week or two.
Katherine – Kapcha The World recently posted..Luxury travel and why you should Escape To Picton
It sounds like you would love Bodega Bay! And your getaway sounds amazing. I would love to go to New Zealand and experience its natural beauty someday soon.