In the event you’re within the temper for a fun-filled California day journey oozing with coastal appeal, tasty bites, and some distinctive little adventures, Bodega Bay is the spot! I simply spent the proper day there (12 hours of pure bliss), and truthfully, it may simply be stretched into an in a single day keep if you wish to preserve the nice vibes going. So, seize a pal or head out solo—this easygoing itinerary is filled with easy pleasures, gorgeous views, and nil stress. Prepared for one of the best day ever?
>> Need extra concepts? See my final Bodega Bay Bucket Record.
12-Hour Itinerary for Bodega Bay
9:00 AM
Espresso + Pastries at The Birds Cafe
First cease on the itinerary: The Birds Cafe for some espresso (or tea in my case) and a small breakfast snack. Let me begin by simply saying—this place is straight-up cute. It’s the proper mix of a espresso store, seafood stand, and reward store crammed with coastal-inspired souvenirs.
And please don’t depart with out making an attempt the almond butter cake—it’s gluten-free and ridiculously good (like, I’d’ve thought-about going again for seconds). It’s the proper candy deal with to gasoline up for the day forward, and also you’re gonna want it for all of the exploring that’s coming your approach!
PS: don’t order an excessive amount of, you’ll be consuming once more actual quickly.
10:30 AM
Hike a Coastal Path
After fueling up, it’s time to stretch these legs! The Bodega Head Path is a reasonably simple 1.6-mile loop alongside the shoreline. Actually, the views are unimaginable—you may see the ocean just about the whole time.
Right here’s a tip: While you go the Camper Coast parking zone, preserve going left till you hit the dust parking zone (there’s no signal, however belief me on this one). In the event you miss it and find yourself at one other parking zone with a jaw-dropping view, think about {that a} bonus! The entire loop, with a couple of photograph breaks, took me about 45 minutes. Completely doable, even for those who’re not a giant hiker.
12:15 PM
Lunch at Fishetarian Fish Market
By this level, you’ll be able to eat once more (mountain climbing = starvation, proper?). Fishetarian Fish Market is tremendous informal come-as-you-are sort of place and ideal for outside eating.
I went for the fish and chips, shrimp tacos, and clam chowder—and sure, I used to be slightly “fished out” afterwards, but it surely was price each chunk! All the things was contemporary and scrumptious, and sitting outdoors with the coastal breeze is an added bonus.
TIP: In the event you (or the climate) prefers a sit-down indoor restaurant, go to Rocker Oysterfeller’s proper subsequent door.
Need extra scrumptious fish? See my 7 Should-Strive Seafood Eating places in Bodega Bay, California
1:30 PM
Patrick’s Salt Water Taffy
Subsequent up: time to fulfill that candy tooth with a go to to Patrick’s Salt Water Taffy! You actually can not miss this place—it’s a white and bubble gum pink striped constructing that simply screams enjoyable. Patrick’s has been round for over 50 years, in order that they know their taffy!
The partitions are lined with bins upon bins of colourful taffy in each taste you may think about (critically, it’s like a sweet lover’s dream). Their hottest taste is watermelon, however I couldn’t resist a bag of chocolate chip cookie taffy—as a result of, properly, why not, proper? They’ve additionally obtained funky flavors like root beer, cinnamon, and cotton sweet! It’s the proper spot to seize a candy memento (or a bag to snack on within the automotive… no judgment right here!).
2:00 PM
Purchase a Kite at Sweet & Kites
Okay, I do know this sounds random, however shopping for a kite? Far more enjoyable than you’d assume, particularly at Sweet & Kites! This place is such a blast, and it’s been round for the reason that early ‘80s, so it’s principally a Bodega Bay legend. You critically can’t miss it—the skin is decked out with vibrant kites and colourful backyard wind spinners dancing within the breeze. It completely pulls you in!
I popped in, and subsequent factor I knew, I used to be strolling out with a vibrant orange triceratops kite (as a result of, how may I not?). After all, I used to be headed straight for the seashore to fly it.
2:45 PM
Fly a Kite at Salmon Creek Seaside
Clearly, for those who purchase a kite, it’s a must to fly it, proper? Salmon Creek Seaside is the proper spot for that—it’s a stunning, lengthy stretch of sand (about 2 miles!) with loads of room to let your kite soar. Plus, parking is free—yay for straightforward seashore days!
The wind was excellent after I obtained there, so getting my orange triceratops kite up into the air was a breeze (pun completely supposed). The most effective half was watching it climb greater and better, and you need to positively see how far you will get yours up within the sky!
4:45 PM
Wine Tasting at Sonoma Coast Vineyards
After a enjoyable kite-flying session, it solely felt proper to completely swap gears and head to Sonoma Coast Vineyards for some wine tasting—as a result of it was hitting that wine o’clock hour. This spot has been round since 2001, and so they’re recognized for crafting unimaginable wines from the cool coastal local weather.
The indoor tasting room is tremendous cozy, however I couldn’t resist the outside patio because it was such a pleasant day. I sampled six wines (as a result of, after all!), and the crimson mix was arms down my fave.
6:30 PM
Cease by The Birds Filming Areas
In the event you’re a film buff—or simply love quirky stops like me—it’s a must to try some filming areas from Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” when you’re in Bodega. First up is the Potter Schoolhouse, which was constructed approach again in 1873. Within the film, it’s the place all the children run out screaming in the course of the well-known chicken assault scene!
Proper subsequent door is the gorgeous St. Teresa of Avila Church, which dates again to 1860 and is the oldest church in steady use in Sonoma County. You possibly can’t go inside both, but it surely’s so enjoyable to see these iconic spots in individual and picture the film magic taking place proper the place you’re standing. It’s a fast cease, however completely price it for any Hitchcock fan!
7:30 PM
Dinner at On line casino Bar & Grill
To wrap up the day, head to On line casino Bar & Grill for dinner. Sure, it’s a dive bar, however within the coolest approach doable. The bar itself is an old-school joint with a few pool tables and taxidermy on the partitions, however the meals was top-notch.
They’ve pop-up dinners placed on by The Holly and Tali Present from Friday to Sunday, and the menu modifications every day, so that you’ll need to try their Instagram on the day of your go to. We had a Seghesio Zinfandel, caprese salad with native greens, and flank steak with griddled cream corn and chimichurri. All the things was scrumptious—don’t choose this place by its cowl!
Rocker Oysterfeller’s or Terrapin Grill are Nice Backups for those who go on a day when there is no such thing as a pop-up dinner or simply need a extra fish-centric dinner.
Make it an Overnighter
The Lodge at Bodega Bay
If you wish to flip your Bodega Bay day journey into an in a single day keep, the Lodge at Bodega Bay is the proper spot. This coastal retreat is positioned on a bluff on the Sonoma Coast, that makes for the proper backdrop to unwind after a day of exploring. It actually is not any marvel this lodge took the primary spot on Condé Nast’s checklist of the 50 finest inns on the earth. You’re in for a deal with at this native gem!
Oh, and let’s not neglect about Drake’s Sonoma Coast Kitchen, which is on-site and has a number of the finest seafood round. You must strive the Dungeness crab desserts and the seared scallops—they’re absolute must-haves! Plus, it’s no marvel this lodge took the primary spot on Condé Nast’s checklist of the 50 finest inns on the earth.
Day Journeys From Bodega Bay, California
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