Spectacular views! My favorite spot in Bodega Bay is Bodega Head to see majestic ocean views and hike along the bluffs. If you're lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of migrating whales! We enjoy getting chowder and sipping it while watching the waves. It is such a tranquil sight away from the hustle and bustle of life. Today was a beautiful sunny day at Bodega Head but even if it's raining, I love coming here to enjoy the views. Come prepared for some windy conditions just in case. The parking lot will get full on the weekends, especially during spring when you have a better chance of seeing whales. Several picnic tables available with friendly seabirds checking out what you're eating. Restrooms are next to the parking lot. read more

Sonoma Coast State Beach - Family of deer enjoying the sunny day - Parks Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

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Incredible views of the coastline that I enjoyed every step of the way. Would be a great place to take out of town family or friends to show off California's natural beauty and to walk your dog too to the Blind Beach side. Goat Rock side no dogs allowed because the seals always wean their pups on the beach, but the dog friendly side is so spacious and a nice long stretch of beach with iconic rock arches out in the water that you will never forget. In my opinion, one of the most beautiful places in all of California and if it is low tide, there will be many starfish visible on the rock formations on shore lower section which is normally submerged! If you get a good sunset, this place cannot be beat for photos overlooking the water with those rock formations. It could make anyone with a cell phone camera take photos that look like a professional landscape photographer took them. read more

We pulled into Dunes campground just before dark. It took awhile to decide which spot to take as there were several great options. It was quiet clean easy yo get to and close to the bay! Shower was hot 1 token for $1 gives plenty of time read more

Sonoma Coast State Beach - Old glory waving on the hill entering Bodega Bay. - Parks Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

First time here where our group chose the Kortum Trail for a short hike which was mostly on flat terrain. Beautiful views along with the weather which cooperated with sunshine and mild temperatures in the high 60s which were perfect for our walk in the late morning hours. Plesnty of parking when we arrived on a Sunday morning with 2 Outhouse restrooms available at the start of the hike. read more

Sonoma Coast State Beach - Parks Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

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too much sand. I took half of it with me and now it's all over my kitchen floor. thanks a lot - not what I was promised.

A truly perfect spot to start any trip in California. Truly gorgeous cliffs, waves, can spot whales here. Awesome. Logistics: Not a place to swim. Water is freezing and the sand is very coarse. Think climbing around on rocks instead There are roomy latrines that you could change in but no plumbing. Low mobility people will want to enjoy the picnic tables and watch the kids messing around. The trails are very tricky. No food immediately nearby but it looks like bbq oysters abound in town read more

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I admit that I am usually at Point Reyes or Mendocino but rarely in Bodega Bay. So glad I finally came by on a nice sunny day and discovered Bodega Head where I can enjoy the beautiful ocean views from atop the bluff without having to hike down to the beach. Free parking and bathrooms and picnic benches available mean you can spend a whole day here if you would like. For me bringing along a beach chair and just enjoying the view with my goodies from Freestone's Wild Flour Bakery was perfect for me. Just be aware that the fog can roll in at any time and it does tend to be windy up here. read more

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My husband and I went to the south salmon creek beach side of this state park. This is a nice, less crowded beach in Bodega Bay, and parking is actually free ! However, you do have to maneuver your car through a neighborhood on a very narrow road to get here. Parking is also not guaranteed and for both of the times that my husband and I visited, we got lucky with a parking spot. You first have to walk past some sand dunes to get to the beach, which is pretty cool - we even saw some families sledding down the dunes which looked fun. I mainly wanted to come here to fly my kite. For our first time there, it was super windy so my kite was able to fly really high ! My husband did not want to fly a kite so enjoyed checking out the water and chilling on the sand dunes instead. In any case, I would definitely try to come back ! It wasn't as windy our second time there so I could not fly my kite unfortunately but this is a beach I'd like to keep in mind if returning to Bodega Bay ! read more

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Lovely spot for a relaxing day We loved the beach Lots of people. We need to come back. read more

Lots of hiking trails uphill in various directions with different vantage points of the ocean. Wonderful coastal views. If you like to hike, definitely worth a stop to soak in the scenery and get your daily steps in. If you have time, drive north along Hwy 1 and you'll see even more beaches along the way with scenic overlooks and parking to give you a chance at more photo opportunities. read more

Sonoma Coast State Beach - Parks Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

Coast Rider Located between Jenner and Bodega Bay, lies probably one of the most spectacular coastlines that we've ever encountered here in Cali. Sonoma Coast State Beach is part of a 10k-acre State Park that has scenic views, rocky shores and nice hiking trails. The Good: *Come for the cooler weather during the summer and stay for the views. *Not the kind of beach you chill at, but more of a hiking/scenic venue. *Dog-friendly *Trails up and down the coast The Meh: *It's almost always cold and foggy here even in the summer, so layer up. *$8 entrance fee The Ugly: *Steep cliffsides so watch your step! Unless you're that one jackass who decided to slide down the cliff to get a closer view (see pic). TLDR: Fantastic place to hike along the coast and not work-up much of a schvitz. read more

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Incredible campsite right on the beach with bathrooms, dog friendly, water tap, individual fire pits, firewood cabinet, and picnic tables at each campground. I arrived for one night and had a site #20 reserved and noticed #2 with beach views was available. If you ask the ranger at the entrance right at shift close 4pm they can upgrade you to any unused campsite by upgrading $10 to beach front. A tip is that if any of the Handicapable spots are unreserved upon arriving, you can be upgraded. There are no showers that I saw but being so close to Bodega bay made this site perfect distance for a day trip down and back. Plenty of beach access here for walks on the beach with breathtaking views. Definably a go to spot that you should checkout if looking to camp in the area. All reservations are handled on the state parks website. read more

Sonoma Coast State Beach - Campsite with fire at night - Parks Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

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Out first visit to this area and it was wonderful Entering the park was easy & $7 entry fee was reasonable. Bathrooms located near the parking area were clean and in good condition (clean) with the toilets and soap dispensers. Yes! Sand on the beach was clean and beautiful but hot in-some spots beware of your pets may get too hot for walking. It was alittle windy but had fun watching a youth group run some contest on the beach and was entertaining. We didnt have chairs to sit but found a nice log to plant ourselves for a the afternoon Overall best experience and would recommend for a day to visit read more

Sonoma Coast State Beach - Parks Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

It is a long and winding but easy road up to the bodega head parking lot. You will pass a sign that says the roads are no longer serviced by the county and you might doubt yourself, but keep going! The parking lot itself is full of huge potholes so drive with care. If you don't want to hike the trail, you can just get out of your car and look over the edge to beautiful views of waves and rocks. Only downside is that there are no dog signs on the trails. We will try it when we don't have dogs with us! read more

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I've been visiting this beach for over 30 years, since I was little, and my parents have come here even longer. It's hard to beat the scenery. It's honestly just so beautiful! Whether it's a sunny day or cold with fog, you'll be in a stunning setting, perfect for savoring and for taking impressive photos. It's not just the ocean that's so magnificent with its stark white foam crashing against jagged black rocks. It's the foliage too! I'm not a botanist but the hillsides appear to be covered in viney, kinda seaweedy, succulent-like plants. Just browse through pics here to see them. They're pretty pretty. Hike the trails and beach at your own risk. This isn't really a place for casual swimming! read more

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What a magnificent spot for a hike, lunch, and some fresh air. Trails abound on the peninsula with sweeping views of the coast. Several picnic tables offer a place for you to chill, have a bite and enjoy the coastline. Picture perfect, clean and invigorating. Portable bathrooms too! We brought some food and soup from the nearby Spud Point Crab company, a cup of vino and some rabbit rillette prepared by our chef friend, and finished with a hike down to the beach. A perfect spot. read more

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There are easy loop trails and fantastic views. Picnic tables here and there and benches to soak in the ocean view, and whale watching during Nov - Jan. read more

Sonoma Coast State Beach - Parks Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

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I love this place. I've been here a handful of times and I'm always in awe of how magical the views are. Such a gorgeous escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and being cooped up at home. It takes about 1.5 hours to get here from Oakland. I suggest leaving early (around 9a) to stop by Spud's Point Crab Company for NE clam chowder, crab sandwiches or Fisherman's cove for fish and chips, calamari and chips, oysters. Bring the food to Bodega Head and eat your lunch at the picnic tables while watching waves in the nearby beach. You can also bring blankets, lawn chairs and feast at the beach or the bluffs. Afterwards, you can go to the beach and relax- (warning- water's cold), hike up the adjacent hill or have a tranquil walk at the bluffs, which is behind the restrooms. All options provide magnificent views of the ocean. There are restrooms there but they aren't maintained that well so make sure to bring TP and hand sanitizer. Bodega Head is a must-visit for beautiful free fun- just make sure to social distance during these times! read more

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Every time we go to wine country we come here too. It's such a beautiful area. If you're lucky, you'll see whales off in the distance. Highlight of our trip for sure!! read more

Gorgeous place! The views are obviously the highlight here, from the ocean to the cliffsides north and south. Besides that, there is a nice big dirt parking lot, a public restroom, picnic tables to enjoy a lunch on, and a mile or two of well-established dirt trails. Some more precarious trails lead down to private beach coves but please be careful for yourself and to protect nature. Dogs are not allowed so leave the pups at home this time. People are friendly and say hi to one another as they pass. read more

Sonoma Coast State Beach - Me at Bodega Head - Parks Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

Beautiful views! We came here for a bachelorette pit stop and really debated going at first (a bit of a drive from Napa), but we sure were glad we came! Immediately the views hit you as you drive towards the dirt parking lot. We were able to find parking with no issues at all. The cliffs gave way to unobstructed views of the ocean. We were even able to get a glimpse of whales playing in the distance and a bunch of seals jumping around nearby. My only regret is not having more time to explore here. read more

Sonoma Coast State Beach - Parks Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

Picturesque location for snagging some great pictures. One of our Bodega Bay pit stops. This place had amazing views and super clean beach. The fog was still around even at 12n which gave some of the photos a very cool vibe. It was 5 dollars to enter the park that day. Well worth it! It was super relaxing to just watch the waves. People were also flying drones and kites which I'll have to think of doing next time we ever find ourselves over here. read more

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What a fantastic location with stunning views! This is such a wonderful place to visit. The views are exquisite and the time we spend there was so serene. We got to see a family of deer as we were leaving and they were just magical! read more

Sonoma Coast State Beach - Breathtaking - Parks Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

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Bodega Head is one of my favorite spots in Sonoma County and is a must visit when in Bodega Bay. The view of the coast is unmatched and absolutely beautiful! It can get windy here so be sure to bring a jacket anytime throughout the year. It also gets very busy so I recommend getting there early as parking can be hard sometimes. They have several trails which are nice to hike alongside the pacific coast. There is also a smaller beach area, which is nice and some picnic tables overlook the beach. This is a great place to bring a picnic. Often times you can also see deer frolicking in the green hills as well as many birds and seagulls. read more

Sonoma Coast State Beach - Parks Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

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We visited for the sole purpose of hiking the 2 mile loop. There was ample parking, no fee is charged, pit toilets are available as are picnic tables. The footing is level without not much in the way of elevation change so the hike is suitable for most ages. Just sitting in the parking lot is worthwhile, but start out on the trail and in short order you are rewarded with one spectacular view after another from the bluffs high above the Pacific Ocean. We visited on a picture perfect day and found the view of the crashing waves below the blue skies breathtaking. As we proceeded along the trail, the views were ever changing with numerous opportunities to extend the hike by taking side paths or taking a break on a strategically placed bench. As the loop began to head back toward the parking lot, a magnificent view came into focus of what may have been the juncture of Tamales Bay with Bodega Bay. read more

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I needed to see the beach after Covid. This beach was beautiful and clean. Water is very cold , but that is okay. The view with my feet in the sand was enough. There was blue sky, white sand, and blue water. Great for a picnic. I heard this was the area where the film, "The Birds" was filmed. When I got back to Denver, I dvr'd the movie to watch. I found this beach to be very peaceful and tranquil. read more

Sonoma Coast State Beach - Bodega Beach 2021 - Parks Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

Beautiful beach! Keep in mind this is more for chilling and less for swimming. There is no life guard on duty and rip tides are not uncommon. Nonetheless it's a lovely less touristy beach with great views and the contrast of the misty mountains in the back is just stunning! read more

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Came here on a sunny January day for some hiking and whale watching. We heard this was a good spot for whale watching, but we didn't see much. I think I saw a blow and then a tail flipping through my binoculars, but that was about it. However, we saw plenty of sea lions and otters. The view is spectacular in every direction. The trail is very easy and scenic. Some people just bring their lawn chairs and sit by a cliff all day with their binoculars. There's a few scattered picnic tables around, but we just sat on the grass for a little picnic. A very nice, scenic, relaxing day. read more

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How have I not found this beach sooner in my life?! I can see why folks want to keep it a big ole secret. It is gorgeous! Rolling hills. Viewing cliffs. Hiking trails. Gnarly rock formations...but do not be a doofus and walk out there unless you want to be swept out to sea. And no one wants that. On a recent visit, I was fortunate enough to see whales breaching and spouting in the distance. Glorious! The hiking trails were easy to walk. Beautiful vegetation and views. The downside is that the parking lot can get overloaded on the weekends, so folks park along the side of the road that leads to the lot. The cars that park along the road stick out a bit. All this willynilly parking narrows the two way traffic road to one in some areas. Other helpful things to know are (1) there are restrooms but I do not know if they are flush or pit, (2) there are signs stating no fishing and no dogs allowed. However I saw tons of rule breakers, (3) it can get windy as all get out, even if over the hill in town was still, and (4) parking lot is gravel. read more

We were staying at the Lodge and walked down. The. Beach is clean and beautiful! Definitely bundle up in February! read more

Sonoma Coast State Beach - Parks Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

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Super ideal spot to take a picnic, or stroll before or after a grub session either at Spud's or Fisherman's Cove just down the road. Speaking of stroll, this is a very pleasant one with breathtaking views. There's a 2 mile loop here, but it is really short with little incline. So more of stroll than a hike. But on this stroll, you will be absorbed and taken by the views. By the parking lot, you start with the ocean cliffside. There's a small beach down there which is accessible through some rock hopping. As you follow the trail on the cliff bluffs the jagged ocean coastline will eventually feed into the actual bay. The bay is a lot bigger than I thought it would be. There's a rock out there where you can hear seals barking up a storm. From the bay, you'll then see a small opening that will then lead to the harbor, where boats are now parked. It is much more sheltered therefore the water is much more still. So to see all 3 forms of water here in just a small space was pretty cool. And instead of doing the whole loop here, just do an up and back on the trail that hugs the coastline. I'd rather double on the same glorious trail than to spend part of the loop in dry brush more inland. It's the Bodega Way, my way. Enjoy!! read more

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I've been walking this trail for as long as I can remember. When I got my mountain bike I knew I had to take it on this trail. I rode on the trail on the right side first (the main trail). This is also a walking trail so there were lots of people to maneuver around. If you're here to get a good bike ride in, don't expect to lol just because of the amount of people walking who use the trail. But the trail is really nice, definitely an easy beginner trail. And the views are gorgeous! I've seen a few whales out here. There's a nice man who is often sitting on the tip of Bodega Head with a telescope looking for whales. Now let's talk about the trail on the left side. There's a reason you don't see many people on it! I decided I would try to ride my bike on it because I had never been on that trail before. The whole beginning part was very steep and it was sand so I couldn't ride. But I was hopeful that at the top there would be a nice trail so I pushed my bike all the way up the hill. The trail was okay. It was really overgrown in a couple spots and I definitely lost the trail several times. Once at the top, we didn't want to go back down the same way we came up because of how steep it was. We eventually found another trail that went down (it was very overgrown) and we ended up on the other side of Bodega Head so we had to ride up the steep road to the main parking lot where our car was. At the bottom of the trail we saw a sign that said no bikes.... which explains why it was so difficult. Basically, this is a great trail for walking and bike riding... but just the right side. The parking lot is literally right next to the trail and there's public bathrooms. It's a good place to take kids and do some whale watching too. read more

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Bodega Head....Best Coastal hike ever! Easy parking, wide paths, not a super steep grade! I knew I was hooked when I could hear Sea Lion barking...I would recommend bringing binoculars. Beautiful views! Love! read more

Sonoma Coast State Beach - Parks Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

Such a beautiful place for picnic with family, especially for people who love fishing. Around 1 to 2 hr from the bay, it is a perfect weekend getaway. Bodega head is an open area with no entry or admission. There is enough parking space and we could see people parked at the side of the road, fishing and cooking their catch. We walked down to a small backwater beach, and I wouldn't advise swimming in the water though. Overall its such an open space with lot of privacy. Do check out the yummy seafood restaurants in the area! read more

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I wanted to come here because I found this place on yelp. First there is plenty of parking all over. It was free you can't beat that. So you can go towards the bottom and there's a little beach. On the other side you can hike a long the water. The trails are really defined. There are clean bathrooms. The views are gorgeous and they are not scary. There was also a bench at the top where you can have lunch. I highly recommend this hike probably the best one I've ever been on. read more

I love this hike. It's wild, gorgeous, feels worlds away yet close enough to home to not feel anxious at the distance from familiarity. Nature demands respect here. The wind controls you, the houses high cliffs can take your life away if you get too close and yet the serenity of this place will help you feel closer to the Prince of Peace. We didn't even plan on coming here. But, luckily our fancy and ever handy Trails app was just freshly downloaded with lots of great hikes close by. It wasn't planned cuz actually we were going to do a bioluminescnece tour but winds near Marshall were 20mph so that was a no go. They cancelled what I planned on being the highlight of my 41st bday. But, sometimes life's lemons need to be turned into lemonade and that's how we stumbled upon these 2 miles of a gorgeous glittery gem of a hike. Check out the pix for the evidence of Gods amazing hand made masterpiece. read more

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This place has stunning views, so it wasn't a surprise when I saw a couple having a wedding photoshoot there. Wouldn't say that this is necessarily a hard core hiking spot, but a beautiful spot for all ages to explore and soak in the ocean breeze and impressive coastline. Parking is free, but it can be difficult to snag a spot on busier holiday weekends. read more

Such a beautiful place!! We had a blast but didn't stay for long. We have two little ones under the age of 4 and it was too dangerous for them. Lots of cliff drop offs and such. But still a beautiful area & free parking. It would be fun to explore without the kids! read more

Sonoma Coast State Beach - Parks Near Me - Bodega Bay, California

The boys grew up too fast. That's all I kept thinking as I sat on the sand in this protected cove watching children playing in the fresh-water run off from the hills, erect mud castles along the waveless shore, and taunt sea birds. Motor boats pushed up wake as they pulled into the harbor after a day at sea. Sailboats glided past, elegantly. Across the harbor, campers gathered in the sites along the point at Doran Beach. It looked like they were having a group bbq and momentarily created a fleeting desire to give camping another try. That moment quickly passed. Campbell Cove, on the day I was there, was a perfect place to go with small children in tow. The parking lot is free and access to the cove is easy, down a couple of rocky dirt paths that require no more than 50 steps. You can haul your beach chairs, sand pails, and towels from the car with little effort. There's even a couple of clean restrooms up in the parking lot. The shore is calm and easily viewed from everywhere on the sand, a paramount concern when watching children near water. Many days at Bodega Bay are foggy and overcast; many are not. Dress for anything. Signs didn't indicate whether dogs are allowed or banned. A woman sitting nearby had her cat there, on a leash, and wasn't cited but really, there's nobody to cite you on anything. There's no lifeguards, no day use fee, no gate to drive through. Just head out to the end of the road until you notice the sign for "Campbell Cove". My boys grew up too fast. Campbell Cove is a good choice for a book and a picnic and a bottle of something but there's nothing that quite compares to watching your own children play and create and explore around sand and water. If you have small children, embrace the moment. It'll be over before you know it. read more

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I'm so glad we made Bodega Head part of our agenda while up in the Bodega Bay area this past weekend. It was overcast but not completely shrouded in fog and there were glorious views all around. We took the nature trail up towards the Horseshoe Cove Overlook and the path gently winds up hill with dramatic coastal views, sea lions sounding off in the distance and waves crashing on the rocks below. On the day we went it was windy but not overly cold-I can imagine it would be quite brisk and chilly on other days. Be mindful of of your steps since there are some steep drop offs along the path. Other than that I can treat this as a casual nature walk-not a full on hike. Lots of seabirds to view along with Turkey Vultures glliding over head. I was in my coastal glory along this walk. Easy to get to from Highway 1-make a left on Easthore Road while traveling northbound on CA Highway 1, then a right and you'll go past the RV park and see signage for both Bodega Head and the Sonoma Coast state beaches. There is ample FREE parking. Even if you don't feel like strolling up the hill to the "head" it's still a dramatic and satisfying view from the lot and the small beach at the north end of the parking lot. Overall a worthwhile stop-lots of photo ops and fresh air. Definitely check it out if you're in Bodega Bay! read more