Bodega Bay: Northern California's Secret, Beautiful Beach Town
One of Northern California’s best kept secrets would be Bodega Bay. This little beach town is located right on the bay’s coast in Sonoma County. Not only is the beauty that Bodega Bay possesses absolutely breathtaking, it’s an amazing destination for outdoor fun, shopping, history, and dining.
Taking the gorgeous California State Route 1 North will take you right through Bodega Bay. The town itself is small, barely 13 square-miles, but there’s plenty to do and discover. It perfectly wraps around the bay, making it a wonderful destination for enjoying the great outdoors.
Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripLooking for an expert's perspective?
Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
CentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.Next
CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea. Next
CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different. SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.Next
SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon. Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Next
Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers. Next
Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers. Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Next
Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise. Next
Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price Africa
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Next
Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt. Next
Some of the most popular things to do are fishing and boating. Charter boats sit and wait at the docks at the bay to take tourists and locals out. Many charter boats offer whale watching tours too, as Bodega Bay is a wonderful whale hotspot throughout the year. Piers jut into the water from all over the town, which are also perfect for sending a line out for fishing or crabbing, which Bodega is most famous for. For those feeling a little more adventurous, surfing is pretty superb in the bay, and lots of shops in town offer lessons.
Fishing boat in Bodega Bay Harbor | © Don DeBold/Flickr
As an ocean town, Bodega Bay has some of the freshest seafood around. Sitting down to a fine dinner of the tastiest fish, shellfish, and crustaceans is a way of life in Bodega Bay. Beyond the fine dining, there are many delis and relaxed eateries all over the town, for those looking for a more casual dining experience, such as picnicking on the beach.
The drinking scene is also great. Bodega Bay is in Sonoma County, where some of the best wine in the world is produced. Indulging in the town’s wine, beer, and cocktail culture at the plentiful restaurants and wineries is an unforgettable experience. One of the most underrated factors of Bodega’s wining and dining scene is that wherever you sit down to enjoy your meal or drink, this beach town almost always guarantees a view!
You can buy all kinds of things in town, with countless clothing shops, Bodega souvenirs, art galleries and more. Tapping into Bodega Bay’s art culture is a must while visiting. It’s a great way to spend a foggy afternoon in town (which happens notoriously often!) There’s even a shop that has the greatest selection of kites in all of Northern California. That Bodega Bay ocean wind makes it a perfect kite flying hub.
For all those film buffs out there, Alfred Hitchcock’s infamous The Birds was set and filmed in Bodega Bay. The 1963 film classic, where birds suddenly turn murderous and attack the townspeople of Bodega Bay, was shot almost exclusively in the town. Some of the most notorious sights of the film, such as the schoolhouse and church, can still be visited. It’s wonderfully satisfying to watch the film before visiting Bodega Bay and then go exploring all the sights you can. But don’t worry, Bodega’s actual birds aren’t anything like the ones Hitchcock created!
Schoolhouse from The Birds, Bodega Bay, CA, KW | © traveljunction/Flickr
These are just a few things about Bodega Bay that make it a wonderful place to travel to and discover. It’s a Northern California gem that ought to be shared with the world. The culture here spins together the beauty and quiet of the coast with the excitement of the bay and town.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
