A Day Trip to Bodega Bay

Bodega Bay is a convenient day trip from San Francisco or Sonoma County. This small town may not have a lot of attractions, but the nature and sea village feel make a day trip to Bodega Bay well worth it.

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, centered around the rhythms of the ocean, feels like a different world.

What to do in Bodega Bay:

Hike at Bodega Head

The hike at Bodega Head is spectacular, especially on a sunny day. There’s an easy path that meanders along the edge of the cliffs, up higher and higher as you go before leveling off with a view of Point Reyes in the distance. 

The cliffs rise high above the sea below, making this a prime spot to see whales during the migration times. If you’re here between December and April, you will probably see whales migrating. Docents are always by the parking area to fill you in on the number of whales spotted every day.

A word of warning: The cliffs could be dangerous, so be careful if you come with little ones. We always tell them to walk on the inside (so an adult is between them and the edge), to stay more than a body’s length away from the edge, and to hold our hand.

Colorful ice plant covers the much of these cliffs. Ice plant is ubiquitous around here (and in the Mediterranean) but is actually not a native plant species. It’s an invasive type of succulent originally from South Africa.

The hike is not very long and has several different loops that you can take to make the walk longer or shorter.

For kids: Near the parking lot, a tree that is like a playground inside. My older son has called it “the most awesome tree to climb in the world,” and every time we come here, they spend about an hour inside.

Beaches near Bodega Bay

Any trip to Bodega Bay should include a drive north of town along Highway 1. Not only are the views from the car beautiful as the highway curves along the coast’s inlets, but there are many beaches to stop at along the way.

PLEASE note that caution must be used at many of the beaches in Northern California. The heavy undertow, strong waves, and deep dropoff mean that everyone should be careful when close to the waves, and no one should swim here (it’s too cold anyway). Don’t turn your back to the waves, don’t climb out on rocks, and use extra caution with children.

One easy stop is Portuguese Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in that stretch. It’s a long sandy beach with colorful high bluffs and a couple of large rocks.

Another nice beach near Bodega Beach is Schoolhouse Beach. There are restrooms, easy parking and plenty of space for you to spread out. We brought beach chairs and a kite and spent the afternoon here.

Where to eat in Bodega Bay:

Lunch 

There are several options for where to eat in Bodega Bay. Being on the ocean means excellent seafood. From November to June, crab is the big thing around here. 

On the harbor near Bodega Head:

Bodega Bay is known for its Dungeness crab, so we usually try to snag a table at one of the little restaurants at the harbor. It’s very close to Bodega Head, so it’s a nice stop before or after the hike.

Spud Point Crab Co. is always packed; I’d recommend getting there when they open. Instead, try Fisherman’s Cove next door. It’s a simple place with outdoor tables, tasty food and parking in the adjacent lot. They use organic produce and sustainable seafood caught on their own boats — we had the crab sandwich with red sauce and calamari.

The Birds Cafe is a convenient stop on the main road. As you may have guessed, it’s named after Hitchcock’s “The Birds,” which was filmed here. The food is fine (oysters, fish tacos and chowder), but the patio with a water view is the highlight. The fast service, Shirley Temples and Roy Rogers, and outdoor patio make this a good stop with kids despite the absence of a kids’ menu.

Breakfast or dinner:

Drakes: Restaurant at the Lodge at Bodega Bay:

Looking for something nicer? Breakfast and dinner service at Drakes Sonoma Coast, the restaurant at the beautiful Lodge at Bodega Bay, always provides excellent food and service. You can also relax at the outdoor Fireside Lounge with bar service starting at 4pm. 

Where to stay in Bodega Bay?

Try the Lodge at Bodega Bay or these hotels & vacation homes in Bodega Bay: save when you book directly on Booking.com!

What are your tips for what to do in Bodega Bay?

See my other Northern California day trips and my popular travel guides for Northern California.