Visitor Info
On this page, we’re going to give you much of the information you need to make the most of your visit to Bodega Bay area. There is some much going on in Bodega Bay and our goal is to help you enjoy it to the fullest.
Weather and Tides
Bodega Bay Visitors Center
913 Highway 1
Bodega Bay, CA 94923
(707) 377-4459
Current Temperature
How to read the Tides Graphic
Bodega Bay Area History 200 Years of Change
Until the Fall of 1775, the Miwok and Pomo Indians lived peacefully in the coastal mountains and valleys of what we now call Sonoma County. Their lifestyle revolved around the seasons, hunting and gathering from the land and harvesting the sea and rivers. Little changed over hundreds of years until the first white sails were spotted off the coast.
The Spanish sloop, Sonora, carried Don Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra Mollineda and a group of explorers to anchorage at the mouth of Tomales Bay at the southern end of Bodega Bay according to a journal kept by a member of the company.
Slowly moving north from Mexico since the mid-1500s, the Spanish claimed vast areas of land for Spain and sent back tales of the glory of California. This attracted explorers from other countries throughout the world.
But it wasn’t until the early 1800s that white settlements began to spring up along the coast. By 1812, Russian fur traders were looking for new sources of otters and seals and came south in search of better food supplies for their northern settlements. With the help of local Indians, they built Fort Ross 24 miles north of Bodega Bay.
By the mid-1800s, Mexico had gained independence from Spain and in the process, granted the land to Mexican citizens and soldiers. General Vallejo and his family were among those who established hundreds of thousands of acres of ranchos along the coast and inland valleys in what is now much of Sonoma County.
One of the settlers was Captain Stephen Smith who married a Peruvian, Manuela Torres, and became a Mexican citizen in order to receive a land grant. Together they established Rancho Bodega bordered by the Russian River to the north and Estero Americano to the south, a large portion of the Bodega Bay Area. Firman Camelot founded the town of “Bay” in the late 1800s, which later changed its name to Bodega Bay.
The tiny town of Bodega shares the mysterious source of its name with Bodega Bay. Here Captain Smith built the first steam-powered saw mill in California with parts he brought by ship. Bodega suited him well with its abundant source of wood and nearby bay for shipping. The town grew to its largest size around the turn of the century then diminished to its current population of under 100.
In 1964 PG&E abandoned its plans to build a nuclear power plant on Bodega Head. The PG&E project at Bodega Head was the focus of a battle that helped galvanize modern environmentalism in California.
In more modern times, Bodega Bay become known around the world as the setting for Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds”.
Maps
Bodega Bay Area Overview Map
From San Francisco: Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and take 101 North to Petaluma. Take the East Washington Street Exit and follow the signs 30 miles West to Bodega Bay
From Santa Rosa: Take 101 to Hwy 12 West. Exit through Sebastopol until it becomes Bodega Hwy to Coast Hwy 1 (23 miles) Turn right onto Hwy 1 to Bodega Bay (5 miles).
Bodega Bay Detail Map
Doran Park is a strip of beach formed by the currents of Bodega Bay. The ocean side is ideal for water sports such as surfing and body boarding while the harbor side offers a salt marsh which is a habitat for a variety of birds. At the end of Doran Beach is the protected entrance to the harbor where the fog horn keeps a constant watch.
Churches
Bodega Bay Church
Come and worship Christ with us! You’ll meet friendly people of all ages from Bodega Bay, Dillon Beach, Valley Ford, Freestone, Jenner, and beyond.
Sunday Bible Study – 9:00 am – Currently studying the book of Mark – Led by Arden Lites
Sunday Worship Service – 10:00 am – Coffee & refreshments are served at the conclusion of the service
Wednesday evening – 7:00 pm – Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Thursday evening – 7:00 pm – Group prayer meeting. Everyone is welcome!
Potluck – 1st Sunday of each month after worship service – Please join us!
Communion – 1st Sunday each month
1320 Bay View St.
Bodega Bay, CA 94923
Saint Teresa of Avila Church
Saint Teresa of Avila Church is a Roman Catholic church in Bodega, California. The white, wooden church with a steeple sits on a hilltop above the small, rural town of Bodega in Northern California. The church was built by shipbuilders in 1859 on land donated by Jasper O’Farrell and named after St. Teresa of Avila by local Spanish and Portuguese immigrants. Archbishop Alemany dedicated the church on June 2, 1861. The church is still in use today and is the oldest church in continuous use in Sonoma County.
Mass Schedule
Saturday: 5pm
Sunday: 9:30 am
Weekday: Tues-Thurs 9 am
17120 Bodega Highway
Bodega Bay, CA 94923
Fisherman's Chapel by the Bay
Fisherman’s Chapel by the Bay is a non-denominational church that provides worship, fellowship and outreach to the community. Founded in 1984 Fisherman’s Chapel, is an inclusive, non-denominational fellowship that strives to build its identity around Jesus Christ in whose name we gather. Sunday worship is the centerpiece of congregational life, with an order of service drawing on elements commonly found in traditional Protestant worship.
Bodega Bay Grange Hall
1370 Bodega Avenue
Bodega Bay, CA 94923
Occidental Community Church
Occidental Community Church, in its current form, has been ministering to the Occidental area since the early 1970s, but its roots go all the way back to the 1870s. We welcome you to come and visit us!
3637 Church Street
Occidental, CA 95465
Whale Migration
The Sonoma Coast is known for its rich marine biodiversity and serves as a migratory path for several whale species. While humpback, gray, and blue whales are known to frequent these waters, their specific migration patterns may vary. Here’s some information on the migration patterns of these whales in the Sonoma Coast region:
- Humpback Whales: Humpback whales are known for their impressive annual migrations, often traveling long distances between their feeding and breeding grounds. Along the Sonoma Coast, humpback whales can be observed during their northern migration from their breeding grounds in warmer waters back to their feeding grounds in colder regions. Typically, humpback whales migrate past the Sonoma Coast from late spring to early fall.
- Gray Whales: Gray whales undertake one of the longest migrations of any mammal. They travel between their feeding grounds in the Arctic, where they spend the summer months, and their breeding and calving lagoons in Baja California, Mexico, where they spend the winter months. During their migration, gray whales pass along the Sonoma Coast in both directions. Their southbound migration can be witnessed from December to February, while their northbound migration occurs from February to April.
- Blue Whales: Blue whales, the largest animals on Earth, are known for their annual migrations in search of food. They often follow seasonal upwelling patterns, where nutrient-rich waters rise to the surface, attracting large amounts of krill, their primary prey. The Sonoma Coast experiences upwellings, making it an important feeding area for blue whales during certain times of the year. While they may not migrate in the same way as humpback or gray whales, blue whales can be seen along the Sonoma Coast during the summer months when food availability is high.
Whale Watch
The Whale Watch Program was started in 1986 by Bea Brunn to educate the public about the amazing gray whale. The whales begin their journey at their summer feeding grounds off Arctic waters of the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, to their winter calving lagoons off Baja California, Mexico, traveling south along the coast. They return after breeding or with their young via the same route, usually closer to shore with the mothers on the outside and the calves closer inland for protection.
Learn More Here: https://stewardscr.org/sonoma-coast-volunteer-program-whale-watch/
Whale Watching in Sonoma County
Gray Whale Watching - The #1 Spot
Weddings and Event Planning
The Lodge at Bodega Bay
For storybook weddings that pair Northern California’s coastal beauty with a stunning selection of unique wedding venues, follow your heart to The Lodge at Bodega Bay. Our boutique hideaway provides the perfect setting for every event, from the rehearsal dinner to the farewell brunch, surrounded by a mesmerizing backdrop at the edge of the ocean.
103 Coast Highway 1
Bodega Bay, CA 94923
(888) 875-3525
(707) 875-3525
Bodega Harbour Yacht Club
Bodega Harbour Yacht Club For larger parties, our Yacht Club is the perfect place for weddings, private parties, and large banquet functions. Located right on the Bay, a large rock fireplace adds ambiance to the lower level of the Yacht Club.
Firefly Fine Catering
Marriage Licenses
The minimum age for a marriage license in California is 18; individuals under 18 must have consent from at least one parent or legal guardian and permission from a California Superior Court judge to marry. Both partners must be present when filing for an application to marry. Photo identification is required from each partner. There is no residency of California requirement. All marriage licenses are valid for 90 days prior to the wedding. Blood tests are no longer required. Costs vary by county but average $60-$70 and may be paid by cash or travelers check. If either party has been divorced within six months, final divorce decrees are required. Ordained ministers, priests, rabbis, ship captains (over three miles out), judges, commissioners, and County Clerks may perform the ceremony.
Judith Iam
Wedding Officiant
Priestess of Love
Minister Jerry Lites
Bodega Bay Church
1320 Bay View St.
Bodega Bay, CA 94923
Kevin Tripp Weddings
Respect and tradition are important in every wedding ceremony. I work to ensure that your beliefs and customs are honored. All of my services are tailored to your wishes and needs.
Special Event Locations
Bodega Bay Inn
This great inn has been in the same location for over 20 years overlooking beautiful Bodega Bay. Local talent is always featured along with nationally recognized artists in their small gallery and upstairs from the gallery are guest rooms. The spacious surroundings are complimented with king sized beds and water views. Please click the link below to see current room rates and availability at the Bodega Bay Inn.
1588 East Shore Rd.
Bodega Bay, CA 94923
(707) 875-3388
The Lodge at Bodega Bay
Located on eight acres of beautifully landscaped grounds that overlook Bodega Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Every guest room offers spectacular views, a wood-burning fireplace, and a private balcony or patio. Guests enjoy the Lodge’s Drakes Sonoma Coast restaurant that showcases award-winning, regional cuisine and offers commanding ocean views in an elegant setting.
103 Coast Highway 1
Bodega Bay, CA 94923
(888) 875-3525
(707) 875-3525
Bodega Bay Grange Hall
1370 Bodega Ave
Bodega Bay 94923
Bodega Bay Church
1320 Bay View St.
Bodega Bay, CA 94923
Bodega Bay Harbour Yacht Club
Smith Bros. Road
Bodega Bay 94923
The Secret Gardens
Corner East Shore and Bay Flat Roads
Bodega Bay 94923
Sonoma Coast Villa
16702 Hwy One
Bodega 94922
Saint Teresa of Avila Church
17120 Bodega Highway
Bodega Bay, CA 94923
Ocean Cove Store & Campground
Fort Ross, CA
Inn at Occidental
Occidental 95465
Ocean Song Farm & Wilderness Center
Occidental CA 95465
Party, Tents & Event Rentals
Santa Rosa CA 95403
Nido Lodge at the Russian River
Guerneville CA 95466
Sea Ranch Lodge
Sea Ranch CA 95497
Saint Philip's Church
Occidental CA 95465
Valley Ford Hotel
Valley Ford, CA, 94972
Tomales Town Hall
Tomales CA 94971
