Laura F.

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

Joyce Z.

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.

Tiffany M.

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 !

Dong Wook C.

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.

John D.

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.

Tyler D.

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.

Suzanne L.

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

Sheila S.

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!

Kendall S.

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!

Robert C.

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.

Imelda R.

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.

Rachel M.

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!

Sarah C.

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.