Experience Bodega Bay at vacation home rentals
Set on a natural harbor, Bodega Bay is one of several laid-back fishing towns on California's sun-drenched North Coast. From sandy beaches and colorful tide pools to sumptuous seafood and world-class whale watching, Bodega Bay vacation rentals unlock access to this captivating slice of the Golden State. Movie buffs may recognize it as the setting of Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 horror film The Birds. But don't worry, the worst you'll find is enthusiastic seagulls keen to scoop up your unattended fish and chips. Venture inland and you'll find yourself immersed in the rolling vineyards and boutique estates of Sonoma Wine Country.
Tourist attractions near Bodega Bay vacation homes
Run by the University of California, the Bodega Marine Laboratory and Reserve is a pioneering research site that's been studying the North Coast since the 1920s. Guided tours offer a unique chance to learn more about Bodega Bay's rocky coastlines, rolling sand dunes, salt marshes, wetlands and sand flats. In the market for a tasteful souvenir? Showcasing Japanese prints and contemporary Californian works, you're bound to find something wall-worthy at the Ren Brown Collection Gallery.
What to do near Bodega Bay vacation homes
Most sunseekers make a beeline for Sonoma Coast State Park. As well as soaking up the sun on the beach, you can also head up to Bodega Head, a raised peninsula that offers some of California's best whale-watching. The North Coast is famous for its seafood so why not eat your way through the string of upscale restaurants lining the waterfront? Think Dungeness crab cakes, clam chowder, popcorn shrimp and more. If you'd rather whip up your own ocean-inspired feasts, you can always stock up at the famous Fishetarian Fish Market and enjoy a sunset BBQ on the deck of your Bodega Bay vacation rentals villa. Wash it down with a bottle of local Sonoma County wine.
Day trips from Bodega Bay vacation rentals
Bodega Bay is the ideal base camp to explore the attractions of Santa Rosa. Vacation rentals are available near places like the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center, a whimsical museum with exhibits on the famed cartoonist, and Safari West, an upscale wildlife preserve with safari tours. You could also visit Trione-Annadel State Park, a huge park with hiking trails, fields of wildflowers, and a large lake for fishing, or Jack London State Historic Park, a vast park dedicated to Jack London with a museum, historic buildings, and nature trails.
Local weather for the trip to Bodega Bay vacation rentals
Thanks to its coastal location, Bodega Bay enjoys a mild maritime climate. Daytime temperatures hover around the 70s and create perfect conditions for swimming, whale watching and winery hopping. Crowds spike over the summer and during the springtime whale watching season. Snag a beachfront Bodega Bay vacation rentals property and you could spot frolicking whales as you sip a morning coffee. Spring also sees Sonoma County explode in a sea of wildflowers.
Bodega Bay's a gateway to Sonoma Wine Country
Set on the coast of California, Bodega Bay is part of the state's coveted Sonoma County region. It's bona fide Wine Country, with scores of oenophiles flocking to sip their way through world-class vineyards. Whale watching is one of Bodega Bay's biggest drawcards, with peak season spanning from March to June. At Sonoma Coast State Park you'll often see grey whales and their calves breaching just offshore. The southbound migration falls from October to November, though the whales tend to stay further out to sea.
Best beaches near Bodega Bay vacation homes
Bodega Bay has an array of pristine beaches for sunbathing and swimming. Vacation rentals are close to beautiful beaches like Bodega Head, a small promontory with sandy beaches and prime whale-watching opportunities, and Doran Regional Park, a tranquil beach with a boat launch and campsites. You may also like Campbell Cove Beach, a sheltered beach with calm waters that are great for children.
How to get to and around Bodega Bay
The nearest airport is in Santa Rosa, CA (STS-Sonoma County), located 17.9 mi (28.8 km) from the city center.