01
Beach Strolls & Tide Pools
Long flats of soft sand at low tide. Watch sanderlings sprint after waves and turn over a stone to find an anemone or a sleeping crab.
Things to do · Sonoma Coast
Eat, explore, and wander
the Sonoma Coast.
Hosts' picks for restaurants, trails, wineries, breweries, and dog beaches around Bodega Bay.
On the shore
The bay is the front yard.
Bodega Bay rewards slow mornings and long walks. Start on the water, then branch out into the restaurants, trails, and wine country our guests come back for year after year.
02
Kayaking & Paddleboarding
Launch right from our beach into protected bay water. The seals will check you out. The harbor doesn't get tired of being beautiful.
03
Fishing & Crabbing
Cast off the shore, drop a crab pot from the dock, or charter out past Bodega Head. Dungeness season is the one to plan around.
04
Hiking & Wildlife Watching
Bodega Head, Doran Beach, Pinnacle Gulch — coastal cliffs and migrating gray whales from December through May.
05
Local Dining & Fresh Seafood
Spud Point chowder. Fresh-off-the-boat oysters at Hog Island. Sonoma Coast Pinot at Drake's. Always something good within a five-minute drive.
06
Coastal Culture & Wine
From Bodega's bootlegging history to Hitchcock's Birds locations, plus easy day trips into Sonoma wine country and the Russian River.
Quick list
The little list we'd give a friend.
All within 5–60 minutes of Bay's Edge. Book a stay and we'll send your private guest guide with everything else.
Bodega Head whale watchingGray whales migrate Oct–Apr — watch from the cliffs, no boat needed.
Spud Point Crab Co. chowderThe award-winning bowl. Walk-up window, harbor view.
Doran Regional ParkA long sand spit with calm bayside swimming and dune walks.
Pinnacle Gulch TrailHalf-mile down to a private-feeling beach cove with tide pools.
Iron Horse sparklingEstate bubbles with Mt. St. Helena views — served at every White House since 1985.
Dillon Beach off-leashNearly a mile where dogs run free between the tide line and the ocean.
Where to Eat
Eat. Chowder, oysters, Dungeness crab, fresh fish — built around the ocean.
8 spots · 2 hosts' picks
Hosts' picks
Hosts' PickReserve ahead
$$$$Eat
4 minTerrapin Creek Café
Bodega Bay
Our favorite nicer dinner in town — formerly Michelin-starred and still wonderful.
Our favorite nicer dinner in town — formerly Michelin-starred and still wonderful. Seasonal menus, longtime favorites being the Dungeness crab cakes and house pasta. Reserve ahead.
- Dungeness crab cakes
- House pasta
- Seasonal menus
Hosts' PickCall ahead
Eat
12 minCasino Bar & Grill
Town of Bodega
Our go-to. Cash only.
Our go-to. A historic bar & grill with a short chalkboard menu that changes daily — call ahead to find out what's on. You never know, but it's always yummy. Cash only.
- Daily chalkboard menu
- Historic bar & grill
- Call ahead for today's menu
You never know what's on — but it's always yummy.
$$Eat
6 minSpud Point Crab Company
Bodega Bay· $$
The classic local spot for crab sandwiches and chowder. Family-run, the line stretches out the door on weekends — arrive before noon.
- Crab sandwiches
- Award-winning chowder
- Family-run
Arrive before noon on weekends — the line stretches out the door.
$$Eat
6 minFisherman's Cove
Bodega Bay· $$
Fresh Tomales Bay oysters — grilled or on the half shell with house-made sauces. Lobster rolls, fish tacos, local craft beer.
- Tomales Bay oysters
- Lobster rolls
- Fish tacos
- Local craft beer
1850 Bay Flat Rd, Bodega BayDirections
$$$Eat
3 minRocker Oysterfeller's at Lucas Wharf
Bodega Bay· $$$
We bring our dogs and sit outside.
A nice sit-down with a great outdoor deck — we bring our dogs and sit outside. Full bar, excellent cocktails.
- Outdoor deck
- Full bar
- Excellent cocktails
Great sit-down with harbor views at Lucas Wharf.
Dog-friendly patioDirections
$$Eat
18 minEstero Café
Valley Ford· $$
Worth the short drive. Great coffee, mimosas, bloody marys, delicious breakfast/lunch entrées. A favorite morning detour.
- Coffee & mimosas
- Bloody marys
- Breakfast & lunch entrées
A favorite morning detour — worth the short drive to Valley Ford.
Breakfast & lunch · ~18 min driveDirections
$$Eat
2 minThe Boat House
Bodega Bay· $$
Widely regarded as having the best fish & chips on the Northern California coast. BBQ oysters and clam chowder are also standouts.
- Fish & chips
- BBQ oysters
- Clam chowder
Widely regarded as the best fish & chips on the Northern California coast.
1445 CA-1, Bodega BayDirections
$Eat
3 minRoadhouse Coffee
Bodega Bay· $
Great espresso, housemade pastries, books, art, and a guitar you can play. Try the cherry almond scone and the Mexican Mocha.
- Cherry almond scone
- Mexican Mocha
- Housemade pastries
Books, art, and a guitar you can play while you sip.
Morning stopDirections
Things to Do
Do. Trails, whales, wine, and waves — a few favorite ways to fill your days.
8 spots · curated from our guest guide
Do
12 minBodega Head Trails
Bodega Bay
East loop (1.7 mi) along the bluffs; West loop (1.2 mi) climbs to the 265-ft peninsula peak — one of California's best whale-watching spots.
- East loop 1.7 mi
- West loop 1.2 mi
- 265-ft peninsula peak
- ·Leashed dogs welcome on both loops
- ·No shade — pack water
One of California's best whale-watching spots — gray whales Oct–Apr. Bring binoculars.
Do
8 minDoran Regional Park
Bodega Bay
A 2-mile sand spit forming the harbor's south edge — the only Sonoma Coast beach considered safe for swimming and boogie-boarding.
- 2-mile sand spit
- Swim-safe beach
- Boogie-boarding
- Camping
- ·Restrooms & picnic tables
- ·Paved 1-mi marsh loop nearby
The only Sonoma Coast beach considered safe for swimming.
Do
25 minSonoma Coast State Park
Bodega Bay → Jenner
A dramatic series of beaches and coves north toward Jenner — Portuguese, Wright's, Shell, Schoolhouse, Duncan's Landing, and more.
- Portuguese Beach
- Wright's Beach
- Shell Beach
- Schoolhouse
- Duncan's Landing
- ·Portuguese: wide, sandy, rarely crowded
- ·Wright's: Kortum Trail trailhead north to Shell Beach
- ·Shell: rocky shoreline with tide pools
Check signage at each pullout — Scotty Creek is excluded for dogs.
Do
8 minSalmon Creek Beach
Bodega Bay
A broad, beautiful beach 2 miles north — popular for walking, surfing, and watching waves. Strong rip currents; not for swimming.
- Surf watching
- Long walks
- Dramatic waves
Strong rip currents — not for swimming.
Do
5 minBird Walk Trail
Bodega Bay
A paved 1.19-mile loop through saltwater marsh — egrets, harriers, herons, thousands of migratory shorebirds. Stroller- and leashed-pup friendly.
- Egrets & herons
- Migratory shorebirds
- Salt marsh loop
Phenomenal birding — easiest dog walk in the area. Stroller-accessible.
Do
12 minThe Hitchcock Trail
Town of Bodega
Drive inland (~8 mi) to the town of Bodega and visit the Potter Schoolhouse and St. Teresa of Avila Church — both featured in The Birds (1963).
- Potter Schoolhouse
- St. Teresa of Avila Church
- The Birds (1963)
Drive inland ~8 mi to the town of Bodega for both filming locations.
Do
6 minBodega Bay Sport Fishing Center
Bodega Bay
Charter boats depart the harbor for salmon, halibut, rockfish, and Dungeness crab.
- Salmon
- Halibut
- Rockfish
- Dungeness crab
Check for current charter trips before you go.
Do
10 minChanslor Ranch
Bodega Bay
Explore the sheltered bay by kayak, or wander coastal grassland trails with sweeping bay views and great birding.
- Bay kayak tours
- Coastal grassland trails
- Birding
Explore the sheltered bay by kayak — also great leashed-dog trails with bay views.
Wine Tasting
Wine. World-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay 30–60 minutes inland.
11 spots · 1 hosts' picks
Hosts' picks
Hosts' PickBy appointment
$35Wine
45 minIron Horse Vineyards
Sebastopol · Green Valley
Hosts' pick — estate sparkling served at every White House since Reagan–Gorbachev 1985.
An open-air tasting at the end of a one-lane road, with sweeping views to Mt. St. Helena. Estate sparkling served at every White House since 1985.
- Estate sparkling
- Mt. St. Helena views
- Open-air tasting
Bring a layer — tastings are outdoors at the end of a one-lane road.
Reservations required
$55Wine
65 minGary Farrell
Healdsburg· $55
Hilltop winery on Westside Road with arguably the best valley view in the AVA. Elegant single-vineyard Pinots from Rochioli & Allen.
- Rochioli & Allen Pinots
- Hilltop valley views
- Single-vineyard
Arguably the best valley view in the AVA.
~$60Wine
50 minHartford Family Winery
Forestville· ~$60
Tucked among redwoods just off Hwy 116. Single-vineyard Pinot, Chardonnay, and old-vine Zin. Walk-ins welcome.
- Single-vineyard Pinot
- Old-vine Zin
- Redwood setting
~$60 tasting refunded with a 4-bottle purchase.
Reservations required
$75Wine
70 minFlowers / House of Flowers
Healdsburg· $75
Architectural stunner in lush gardens and redwoods. Far Sonoma Coast wines from windblown ridge vineyards just two miles from the Pacific.
- Far Sonoma Coast Pinot
- Redwood gardens
- Ridge vineyards
Architectural stunner — wines from windblown ridges two miles from the Pacific.
$35–75Wine
65 minMacRostie Estate
Healdsburg· $35–75
Modern hilltop pavilion with three patios and panoramic Russian River views. Bright, balanced Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and Pinot.
- Three patios
- Russian River views
- Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
Dogs OK on patios — bright, balanced coastal wines.
Wine
35 minBohème Wines
Occidental
Cult-favorite tasting bar on Occidental's tiny main street. Just 2,500 cases of beautiful Sonoma Coast Pinot. Tastings are free.
- Sonoma Coast Pinot
- Occidental tasting bar
- Free tastings
Cult favorite — just 2,500 cases. Tastings are free.
$15Wine
55 minKorbel Champagne
Guerneville· $15
Casual, walk-in friendly counter point to the cult houses. Free historic tours, on-site deli, vintage rose garden. Dog-friendly decks.
- Free historic tours
- On-site deli
- Rose garden
- Dog-friendly decks
Casual counterpoint to the cult houses — $15 for 3 pours.
$25–55Wine
70 minLIOCO Wine Co.
Healdsburg Plaza· $25–55
Walkable Plaza tasting room with a 400+ vinyl collection on a vintage turntable. Minimal-intervention wines from Santa Cruz to Mendocino.
- 400+ vinyl collection
- Minimal-intervention wines
- Healdsburg Plaza
Vintage turntable in the tasting room — Santa Cruz to Mendocino pours.
Reservations recommended
$70 (charcuterie incl.)Wine
80 minScribe Winery
Sonoma· $70 (charcuterie incl.)
Restored 1858 hacienda with palms, succulents, and grazing sheep. The most photogenic winery in the county for laid-back-luxury vibes.
- 1858 hacienda
- Grazing sheep
- Charcuterie included
The most photogenic winery in the county — palms, succulents, laid-back luxury.
~$25Wine
3 minSonoma Coast Vineyards
Bodega Bay· ~$25
The only wine-tasting room in town — perfect pre-dinner stop. Cool-climate Pinot & Chard with bay views from the patio. Pet-friendly.
- Bay-view patio
- Cool-climate Pinot & Chard
- In-town tasting
The only wine-tasting room in Bodega Bay — perfect pre-dinner stop.
$25–45Wine
70 minBacchus Landing
Healdsburg· $25–45
Tasting collective one mile from the Plaza housing several boutique wineries around an open piazza with bocce and weekend pizza.
- Boutique collective
- Open piazza
- Bocce & weekend pizza
One mile from Healdsburg Plaza — dog & family-friendly.
Best Breweries
Beer. Sonoma is a national craft-beer destination — most spots are casual, dog-friendly outdoor patios.
11 spots · 1 hosts' picks
Hosts' picks
Hosts' Pick
Beer
50 minLagunitas Brewing Co.
Petaluma
Hosts' pick — the gold standard for North Bay brewery hospitality.
The mothership and the gold standard for North Bay brewery hospitality. Full kitchen (the burger is one of NorCal's best), grass amphitheater for live music, free brewery tours Wed–Sun at 1pm.
- NorCal's best burger
- Live music amphitheater
- Free brewery tours 1 PM
Pair with HenHouse Palace on the same street. Dog-friendly patio & beer garden.
Mon–Tue 12–7, Wed–Sun 12–8 · tours Wed–SunDog-friendly patioLive music1280 N McDowell Blvd, PetalumaWebsiteDirections
Beer
55 minRussian River — Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa
The original 4th Street brewpub — Pliny the Elder fresh from the source. Pizzas, sandwiches, salads. Seats under 200, expect a wait.
- Pliny the Elder
- Pizzas & sandwiches
- Original brewpub
Seats under 200 — expect a wait for Pliny fresh from the source.
Beer
60 minRussian River — Windsor
Windsor
The much larger sister facility — outdoor beer garden, gift shop, brewery tours, 2 acres of free parking. Better for groups and dogs.
- Outdoor beer garden
- Brewery tours
- 2 acres free parking
Better for groups and dogs than the Santa Rosa brewpub.
Beer
55 minHenHouse Brewing
Santa Rosa
Hen House IPA & Big Chicken DIPA are among the most sought-after beers in Sonoma. Industrial-chic taproom, free popcorn, pizza truck.
- Hen House IPA
- Big Chicken DIPA
- Pizza truck
Among the most sought-after beers in Sonoma — free popcorn in the taproom.
Beer
50 minHenHouse Palace of Barrels
Petaluma
The barrel-aged & sour-fermentation arm of HenHouse, just down the block from Lagunitas — pair on a single Petaluma trip.
- Barrel-aged sours
- Wild fermentation
- Weekend food trucks
Just down the block from Lagunitas — pair both on one Petaluma trip.
Beer
60 minMoonlight Brewing
Santa Rosa
The grand daddy of the modern Santa Rosa scene (since 1992). Death & Taxes black lager, Reality Czeck pilsner, real cask ale on handpump.
- Death & Taxes black lager
- Reality Czeck pilsner
- Cask ale on handpump
Grandaddy of the Santa Rosa scene since 1992. No TVs — just good beer.
Beer
55 minCooperage Brewing
Santa Rosa
Spacious dog- & family-friendly beer garden in NW Santa Rosa, rotating food trucks daily, hoppy ales and barrel-aged sours.
- Rotating food trucks
- Barrel-aged sours
- NW beer garden
Spacious dog- & family-friendly — sister downtown spot at 575 Ross St.
Beer
55 minOld Possum Brewing
Santa Rosa
Hidden in a south Santa Rosa business park, with seriously elevated brewpub food — chef from Ramen Gaijin, snout-to-tail philosophy.
- Elevated brewpub food
- Snout-to-tail menu
- Ramen Gaijin chef
Hidden in a south Santa Rosa business park — seriously good food.
Beer
55 minFogbelt Brewing
Santa Rosa
Named for the NorCal redwood 'fog belt.' Barrel-aged and experimental beers with elevated seasonal pub fare. Good sit-down option.
- Barrel-aged experiments
- Seasonal pub fare
- Redwood fog belt
Named for the NorCal redwood fog belt — good sit-down option.
Beer
45 minCrooked Goat Brewing
Sebastopol
In The Barlow market district, 16 rotating taps. Order food from any Barlow restaurant.
- 16 rotating taps
- 350+ beers brewed
- The Barlow district
Order food from any Barlow restaurant while you taste.
Beer
75 minPond Farm Brewing
San Rafael
The best brewery in central Marin — full kitchen, wine & cider for non-beer-drinkers, dog-friendly outdoor beer garden.
- Full kitchen
- Wine & cider
- Central Marin beer garden
Best brewery in central Marin — dog-friendly outdoor beer garden.
Dog Adventures
Dogs. Bodega Bay is wonderfully dog-welcoming. Leashes (6 ft) required at every spot.
9 spots · 1 hosts' picks
Hosts' picks
Hosts' Pick
Dogs
20 minDillon Beach
Dillon Beach · Marin County
Hosts' pick — one of the very few legal off-leash beaches on the entire California coast.
One of the very few legal off-leash beaches on the entire California coast. Nearly a mile of private beach where dogs can run free under voice control between the high tide line and the ocean.
- Off-leash beach
- Coastal Kitchen
- Fire pit picnic tables
Nearly a mile of private beach. Pack layers — windy year-round.
Daily parking fee · leash required in lotOff-leashDaily feePet-friendly1 Beach Ave, Dillon BeachDirections
Dogs
7 minPinnacle Gulch
Bodega Bay
Half-mile gulch trail to a quiet pocket beach with tide pools. Often empty on weekdays — your secret. Loop possible at low tide.
- Tide pools
- Pocket beach
- Low-tide loop to Shorttail Gulch
Often empty on weekdays — your secret cove. Best at low tide.
Dogs
7 minShorttail Gulch
Bodega Bay
Half-mile trail each way to a private-feeling beach cove. Loop back via Pinnacle Gulch when the tide is low.
- Private beach cove
- 0.5 mi each way
- Loop via Pinnacle at low tide
Pair with Pinnacle Gulch for a full coastal loop when tides allow.
Dogs
45 minHelen Putnam Park
Petaluma
6 miles of trails through oaks & hilltops. Spring wildflowers (poppies!) and panoramic views. Easy 1.5-hour outing inland.
- Spring poppies
- Oak hilltop trails
- Panoramic views
Easy 1.5-hour outing inland — 6 miles of trails through oaks.
Dogs
50 minRagle Ranch Park
Sebastopol
157 acres with the best off-leash dog park in west Sonoma County — fully fenced, with small-dog hours. 3+ miles of leashed creek trails.
- Fenced off-leash park
- Small-dog hours
- 3+ mi creek trails
Best off-leash dog park in west Sonoma County.
Dogs
90 minRodeo Beach
Marin Headlands
Dramatic dark-sand beach 3 miles from the Golden Gate. One of the few legal off-leash beaches in Marin (under voice control).
- Dark-sand beach
- Marin Headlands
- Golden Gate views
One of the few legal off-leash beaches in Marin — under voice control.
Dogs
45 minHopmonk Tavern
Sebastopol
Century-old stone-and-timber tavern with a covered beer garden that explicitly welcomes dogs (water bowls on request) and has a dog menu.
- Dog menu
- Water bowls
- Covered beer garden
Century-old stone-and-timber tavern — dogs explicitly welcome.
Dogs
80 minWALT Wines
Sonoma Plaza
Off the Plaza in a historic cottage with a charming garden patio — pet-friendly indoor & outdoor tasting. The easiest 'dogs and wine' combo.
- Garden patio
- Indoor & outdoor tasting
- Historic cottage
The easiest dogs-and-wine combo off Sonoma Plaza.
Dogs
60 minLimantour Beach
Inverness · Pt. Reyes National Seashore
The big exception in Point Reyes — a long, gorgeous beach where leashed dogs ARE permitted. Harbor seals, dunes, dramatic walks.
- Point Reyes exception
- Harbor seals
- Dune walks
The big exception in Pt. Reyes — leashed dogs permitted on the southeast sandy stretch.
Dog-friendly beaches
Leashed shoreline walks along the coast
Doran Beach
Calm water, restrooms, paved marsh loop
Portuguese Beach
Wide, sandy, rarely crowded — 3 mi north
Wright's Beach
Kortum Trail trailhead to Shell Beach
Shell Beach
Rocky shoreline, gorgeous tide pools
Dillon Beach
Off-leash between tide line and ocean
Keep dogs leashed (6 ft max) to protect snowy plovers and harbor seals. Pack extra water — little shade on most beaches. Check for ticks after every trail.
07
Insider tips
Local know-how
Fog & weather
Famously foggy on summer mornings — usually burns off by afternoon. Pack layers. Wind can be strong at Bodega Head. The foghorn keeps ships safe.
Tip 01Grocery & supplies
Diekmann's Bay Store (1275 CA-1) for essentials, beer, wine, deli, firewood. Bigger shop in Petaluma or Sebastopol (~20–25 mi). Andy's Market is wonderful.
Tip 02Gas station
Small station on Hwy 1. Fill up before heading north — stations spread out.
Tip 03Tide tables
Download a tide table app before exploring — many coves are dangerous at high tide.
Tip 04Cell service
Fine in town, spotty along Hwy 1. Download offline maps before adventuring north.
Tip 05Parking fees
State/county trailheads run $7–8/day. Cash or card. A CA State Parks Day-Use Pass helps if you'll visit a few.
Tip 06Wildlife
Harbor seals haul out near the bay — observe from a distance. Sea lions, pelicans, and gray whales are seasonal regulars.
Tip 07Beachcombing
The bay's tides bring up sea glass and treasures. Wear shoes — and watch pets on the rocky shore.
Tip 08Foggy evenings
Light a fire in the wood stove (Diekmann's stocks logs), pour something warm, and enjoy the quiet. That's the whole magic.
Tip 09A little history
Once a creamery on the bay, now your home by the water.
Long before this house sheltered guests, it sheltered milk. The building you're standing in was once part of the Bodega Bay Creamery Co. — a working dairy that received milk and butter from the surrounding ranches and shipped them down to San Francisco by boat.
~1890The Creamery years. Milk and butter shipped daily to San Francisco.
1919Prohibition. Whiskey, milk cans, and rumored gun battles in the bay.
1941Wartime. Harbor dredged; the property turns to ship repair.
1960sAn architect's home. The upper floors finished as a residence and pottery studio.
TodayYours for a few nights. A peaceful waterfront retreat — and a quiet keeper of stories.
Plan your stay
Ready for the bay?
Book direct and save.
After you book, we'll send a private link with Wi-Fi, directions, and the full guest guide PDF.