North Coast & Redwoods - California - page 536

Sleeping

Bodega Dunes CAMPGROUND
( 800-444-7275; www.reserveamerica.com ; 3095 Hwy 1, Bodega Bay; tent & RV sites $35, day use

$8)
The largest campground in the Sonoma Coast State Beach system of parks, it is also
closest to Bodega Bay. It gets a lot of use. Sites are in high dunes and have hot showers but
be warned - the fog horn sounds all night.

Wright's Beach Campground CAMPGROUND
( 800-444-7275; www.reserveamerica.com ; tent & RV sites $35, day use $8)
Of the few parks that allow camping along Sonoma Coast State Beach, this is the best,
even though sites lack privacy. Sites can be booked six months in advance, and numbers
1-12 are right on the beach. There are BBQ pits for day use and it's a perfect launch for
sea kayakers.
Everyone else, stay out of the water; according to camp hosts the treacherous rip tides
claim a life every season.

Jenner

Perched on the hills looking out to the Pacific and above the mouth of the Russian River,
tiny Jenner offers access to the coast and the Russian River wine region. A harbor-seal
colony sits at the river's mouth and pups are born here from March to August. There are
restrictions about getting too close to the chubby, adorable pups - handling them can be
dangerous and cause the pups to be abandoned by their mothers. Volunteers answer ques-
tions along the roped-off area where day trippers can look on at a distance. The best way
to see them is by kayak and most of the year you will find Water Treks Ecotours (
707-865-2249; 2hr rental from $25; 10am-3pm) renting kayaks on the highway. Heading
north on Hwy 1 you will begin driving on one of the most beautiful, windy stretches of
California highway. You'll also probably lose cell-phone service - possibly a blessing.