In the event you’ve ever been to California, you’ve in all probability seen a number of the lovely campgrounds that dot the Pacific Coast. However have you ever ever wished to expertise that beachside tenting your self? Bodega Bay tenting is the right reply!
Once I lived in San Francisco, Bodega Bay was my go-to tenting spot as a result of it’s lower than a 2-hour drive from the town and it’s one of the crucial picturesque hidden gems on the Sonoma Coast.
Tenting in Bodega Bay means falling asleep to the sound of the crashing waves of the Pacific, strolling on expansive seashores through the day, and seeing considerable wildlife.
There’s additionally a spot in Bodega Bay — on the well-known Bodega Head — that is likely one of the greatest spots in California to see the migration of gray whales!
However with so many nice Bodega Bay campgrounds, how do you resolve which one to decide on?
Let’s dive into my full Bodega Bay tenting information, so you’ll be able to decide which campground is best for you.
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Why Go to Bodega Bay?
Situated a 1.5-hour drive north of San Francisco, Bodega Bay beckons vacationers with its beautiful coastal magnificence and serene environment.
Nestled alongside the Pacific Ocean, the city presents picturesque landscapes of sandy seashores, rocky cliffs, and rugged coastlines, making it a paradise for nature lovers and outside fans.
With so many attention-grabbing issues to do in Bodega Bay, it’s an awesome place to pitch a tent or roll up in an RV or campervan.
Guests can take pleasure in varied outside actions, together with climbing alongside scenic trails, birdwatching, kayaking, and fishing.
The realm’s contemporary seafood eating places delight the palate, whereas its affiliation with the filming of Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” provides a contact of cinematic allure.
Whether or not in search of rest by the ocean or journey amidst nature, Bodega Bay guarantees an unforgettable coastal escape.
Word: Some confuse Bodega Bay with the hamlet of Bodega, which is a ten-minute drive inland from the coast.
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Automotive Tenting Fundamentals
Easy methods to Get to Bodega Bay
Bodega Bay sits on the southernmost level on the Sonoma County coast, a genuinely charming fishing village providing a laid-back coastal vibe, a number of campgrounds, nice climbing, and informal eating places.
Situated simply 67 miles from the Bay Space and about an hour west of Napa Valley, a visit to the coastal paradise of Bodega Bay can simply be mixed with stops in San Francisco and wine tasting in Napa.
For these flying in from out of city, San Francisco (SFO) and Oakland (OAK) are your closest main airports.
Greatest Bodega Bay Campgrounds
Bodega Bay is a great spot for tenting due to its low-key coastal vibe and the cool breeze of the Pacific Ocean. It presents quite a lot of campgrounds catering to completely different preferences, from beachfront websites to family-friendly choices.
For outside lovers, this space boasts unimaginable hikes and trails that supply beautiful views of the Harbor and Pacific. There may be additionally easy accessibility to a number of the greatest seafood eating places within the state.
1. Wright’s Seaside Campground
- Nice for: Tenting proper on the seashore
- Services: Restrooms, picnic tables, meals lockers, hearth rings
- # of websites: 27
- Canines allowed? Sure, on-leash
- Good to know: Showers, potable water, and a dump station can be found at Bodega Dunes Campground 5 miles away. There aren’t any electrical or water hook-ups at Wright’s Seaside.
Wright’s Seaside sits on essentially the most intensive seashore between Bodega Bay and the Russian River. It’s additionally situated inside Sonoma State Park together with Bodega Dunes Campground under.
With 27 oceanfront tenting spots providing a mixture of tent and RV campsites (no hook-ups), you’re really seashore tenting.
Campsites are outfitted with restrooms, picnic tables, meals lockers, and a hearth ring, however no showers on website. In order for you a bathe, drive 5 miles south to Bodega Dunes.
Wright’s Seaside additionally has an $ 8-day use charge which helps cuts down the crowds.
Plan your Wright’s Seaside Tenting Keep
2. Bodega Dunes Campground
- Nice for: Longer stays
- Services: Potable water, restrooms, scorching showers, picnic tables, meals lockers, hearth rings, dump station
- # of websites: 99
- Canines allowed? Sure, on-leash
- Good to know: Leashed canine and campfires are allowed within the campground, however not on the seashore. Firewood for the primary pits is out there for buy
Bodega Dunes is my favourite tenting getaway spot in Bodega Bay and Sonoma Stake Park (and one among our favourite California seashore campgrounds generally). Once I lived in San Francisco, I camped at Bodega Dunes in all of the completely different seasons, nearly at all times in my tent and as soon as in a teardrop.
Bodega Dunes Campground overlooks the northern finish of Bodega Harbor. The campground is on the coast however indirectly on the seashore.
A brief stroll to a switchback boardwalk drops you proper onto the seashore close to the campground. Campers can go to sleep to the sound of the water at night time with one million stars above their tent.
The spots are fairly massive however nonetheless within reach and sound of neighbors. It is a very dog-friendly campground, which is good as a result of I prefer to journey with my canine.
It may well get fairly chilly and damp in a single day, so cowl up any firewood and something you need to keep away from getting moist. Bodega Bay will get lots of fog within the morning, particularly throughout summer time.
Bodega Dunes can be a superb location for its ten-minute drive to a number of the space’s greatest informal and fine-dining seafood eating places.
This campground options 99 tent campsites, scorching showers, flush bathrooms, and a number of other restrooms with electrical shops. Pleasant Park Rangers will promote you firewood for hearth pits.
Plan your Bodega Dunes Tenting Keep
3. Doran Seaside Campground
- Nice for: Swimming & water sports activities
- Services: Potable water, restrooms, coin-operated showers, picnic tables, hearth rings, dump station, boat launch
- # of websites: 120
- Canines allowed? Sure, on-leash
- Good to know: There aren’t any hook-ups and generator hours are 8am to 8pm
Doran Regional Park is a well-liked vacation spot for tenting fans on the southernmost fringe of Bodega Harbor. It’s among the best spots to camp in as a result of Doran Seaside is a brief stroll to among the best seashores in Bodega Bay.
Its golden-sand seashore stretches two miles between Bodega Harbor and the open ocean and presents greater than 120 tent and RV campsites.
Whereas not all Bodega Bay seashores are secure for swimming, a number of – together with Doran Seaside – are. The lengthy and huge Doran Seaside is a great spot for households to get pleasure from enjoying within the ocean in the summertime.
As a result of it’s south-facing, the waves are normally light and it’s the solely coastal seashore in Sonoma County that’s secure for swimming, boogie boarding, and browsing. The surf is harmful at most different seashores alongside the Sonoma Coast, so swimming and wading should not suggested.
Plan your Doran Seaside Tenting Keep
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Get Out On The Water
4. Westside Regional Park
- Nice for: Households
- Services: Potable water, restrooms, coin-operated showers, picnic tables, hearth rings, dump station, boat launch
- # of websites: 46
- Canines allowed? Sure, on-leash (additional charge)
- Good to know: There aren’t any hook-ups and generator hours are 8am to 8pm
Westside Regional Park Campground sits on the southwest fringe of Bodega Harbor and supplies an excellent setting for fishing and climbing.
Westside Regional Park presents picnic tables, restrooms with flush bathrooms, and coin-operated showers, making it family-friendly and straightforward to camp. Additionally it is wheelchair-accessible.
It’s an awesome spot as a result of it’s inside strolling distance of Bodega Head and its many climbing trails with scenic ocean views.
Journey Tip: Contemporary crab is bought down the road from the Westside Regional Park Campground!
Bodega Head, a large granite promontory inside Sonoma Coast State Park, supplies a protecting barrier for Bodega Harbor towards the relentless storms of the Pacific Ocean and presents glorious panoramic views.
Plan your Westside Regional Park Keep
5. Porto Bodega RV Park
- Nice for: RVers & households
- Services: Potable water, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, hearth rings, dump station, laundry, membership home, on-site restaurant, boat ramp
- # of websites: 58
- Canines allowed? Sure, on-leash
- Good to know: No tents allowed
Porto Bodega RV Park is situated on the northeastern finish of Bodega Harbor, proper on the water’s edge alongside 16 acres of the bay close to a marina, the place you’ll discover varied leisure and climbing alternatives close by.
Porto Bodega Marina & RV Park presents 58 RV websites and 12 are waterfront.
Every website has a picnic desk and hearth pit and there’s additionally a clubhouse for group use.
Plan your Porto Bodega RV Park Keep
What to Pack for Bodega Bay Tenting
Bodega Bay experiences a light coastal local weather characterised by comparatively reasonable yearly temperatures. The area is influenced by the Pacific Ocean, which helps regulate the temperatures and creates a maritime local weather.
The typical excessive temperature through the day in summer time and spring ranges from the mid-60s to low 70s Fahrenheit (18-23°C), whereas lows are within the mid-50s to low 60s Fahrenheit (12-17°C). Summer time months are usually dry and foggy mornings are widespread.
When you may be tenting through the summer time, you continue to have to be sure to have a good sleeping bag for when temps dip within the night. Packing additional blankets to be secure is a superb concept, together with a groundsheet and sleeping pad to your tent to supply further insulation and luxury.
You’ll need numerous layers for tenting and climbing, together with an insulated jacket for cold nights, a sunhat, and sun shades. And be sure to carry a washing swimsuit for all of the beautiful Bodega Bay seashores and perhaps a pair of binoculars for whale-watching.
Automotive Tenting Necessities Packing Checklist
Beneath are a number of of my favourite items of automobile tenting gear and proposals for the street:
Planning a California getaway? Try a few of our favourite CA adventures:
Have you ever visited Bodega Bay? What Bodega Bay tenting suggestions do you must share? What’s your favourite campground? Depart a remark under!
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