Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Coastal accommodations (including campgrounds) can fill from Memorial Day to Labor
Day (late May to early September) and on fall weekends, and often require two-night
stays, so reserve ahead. Try to visit during spring or fall, especially in September and
October; when the fog lifts, the ocean sparkles and most other visitors have gone home.
Bodega Bay
Bodega Bay is the first pearl in a string of sleepy fishing towns that line the North Coast
and was the setting of Hitchcock's terrifying 1963 avian psycho-horror flick
The Birds
.
The skies are free from bloodthirsty gulls today (though you best keep an eye on the pic-
nic); it's Bay Area weekenders who descend en masse for extraordinary beaches, tide
pools, whale-watching, fishing, surfing and seafood. Mostly a few restaurants, hotels and
shops on both sides of Hwy 1, the downtown is not made for strolling, but it is a great base
for exploring the endless nearby coves of the
Sonoma Coast State Beach
.
Originally inhabited by the Pomo people, the bay takes its name from Juan Francisco de
la Bodega y Quadra, captain of the Spanish sloop
Sonora
, which entered the bay in 1775.
The area was then settled by Russians in the early 19th century, and farms were estab-
lished to grow wheat for the Russian fur-trapping empire, which stretched from Alaska all
the way down the coast to Fort Ross. The Russians pulled out in 1842, abandoning fort
and farms, and American settlers moved in.
Hwy 1 runs through town and along the east side of Bodega Bay. On the west side, a
peninsula resembling a crooked finger juts out to sea, forming the entrance to Bodega Har-
bor.
Sights & Activities
Surfing, beach combing and sportfishing are the main activities here - the latter requires
advance booking. From December to April, the fishing boats host whale-watching trips,
which are also good to book ahead. Just about everyone in town sells kites which are great
for flying at Bodega Head. The excellent
Farm Trails
(
www.farmtrails.org
)
guide at the
Sonoma Coast Visitor Center has suggestions for tours of local ranches, orchards, farms
and apiaries.
Bodega Head
LOOKOUT
