If you happen to’ve ever been to California, you’ve most likely seen among the stunning campgrounds that dot the Pacific Coast. However have you ever ever needed to expertise that beachside tenting your self? Bodega Bay tenting is the proper reply!
After 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 vital 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 in the course of the day, and seeing considerable wildlife.
There’s additionally a spot in Bodega Bay — on the well-known Bodega Head — that is among the finest 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?
Positioned a 1.5-hour drive north of San Francisco, Bodega Bay beckons vacationers with its gorgeous 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 lovers.
With so many fascinating issues to do in Bodega Bay, it’s a fantastic place to pitch a tent or roll up in an RV or campervan.
Guests can bask in varied outside actions, together with mountaineering alongside scenic trails, birdwatching, kayaking, and fishing.
The world’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 attraction.
Whether or not searching for leisure 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
How one can 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 mountaineering, and informal eating places.
Positioned 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.
Finest 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 totally different preferences, from beachfront websites to family-friendly choices.
For outside lovers, this space boasts unbelievable hikes and trails that supply gorgeous views of the Harbor and Pacific. There’s additionally easy accessibility to among the finest seafood eating places within the state.
1. Wright’s Seashore Campground
- Nice for: Tenting proper on the seaside
- Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, meals lockers, fireplace rings
- # of websites: 27
- Canine 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 are not any electrical or water hook-ups at Wright’s Seashore.
Wright’s Seashore sits on probably the most intensive seaside between Bodega Bay and the Russian River. It’s additionally positioned inside Sonoma State Park together with Bodega Dunes Campground beneath.
With 27 oceanfront tenting spots providing a mixture of tent and RV campsites (no hook-ups), you’re actually seaside tenting.
Campsites are outfitted with restrooms, picnic tables, meals lockers, and a fireplace ring, however no showers on website. In order for you a bathe, drive 5 miles south to Bodega Dunes.
Wright’s Seashore additionally has an $ 8-day use charge which helps cuts down the crowds.
Plan your Wright’s Seashore Tenting Keep
2. Bodega Dunes Campground
- Nice for: Longer stays
- Amenities: Potable water, restrooms, sizzling showers, picnic tables, meals lockers, fireplace rings, dump station
- # of websites: 99
- Canine allowed? Sure, on-leash
- Good to know: Leashed canines and campfires are allowed within the campground, however not on the seaside. Firewood for the primary pits is offered for buy
Bodega Dunes is my favourite tenting getaway spot in Bodega Bay and Sonoma Stake Park. After I lived in San Francisco, I camped at Bodega Dunes in all of the totally different seasons, virtually all the time 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 circuitously on the seaside.
A brief stroll to a switchback boardwalk drops you proper onto the seaside close to the campground. Campers can go to sleep to the sound of the water at evening with one million stars above their tent.
The spots are fairly massive however nonetheless close by and sound of neighbors. It is a very dog-friendly campground, which is sweet as a result of I prefer to journey with my canine.
It could possibly 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 season.
Bodega Dunes can be a wonderful location for its ten-minute drive to among the space’s finest informal and fine-dining seafood eating places.
This campground options 99 tent campsites, sizzling showers, flush bathrooms, and a number of other restrooms with electrical retailers. Pleasant Park Rangers will promote you firewood for fireplace pits.
Plan your Bodega Dunes Tenting Keep
3. Doran Seashore Campground
- Nice for: Swimming & water sports activities
- Amenities: Potable water, restrooms, coin-operated showers, picnic tables, fireplace rings, dump station, boat launch
- # of websites: 120
- Canine allowed? Sure, on-leash
- Good to know: There are not any hook-ups and generator hours are 8am to 8pm
Doran Regional Park is a well-liked vacation spot for tenting lovers on the southernmost fringe of Bodega Harbor. It’s probably the greatest spots to camp in as a result of Doran Seashore is a brief stroll to probably the greatest seashores in Bodega Bay.
Its golden-sand seaside 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, just a few – together with Doran Seashore – are. The lengthy and broad Doran Seashore is a great spot for households to take pleasure in enjoying within the ocean in the summertime.
As a result of it’s south-facing, the waves are normally mild and it’s the solely coastal seaside 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 Seashore Tenting Keep
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Get Out On The Water
4. Westside Regional Park
- Nice for: Households
- Amenities: Potable water, restrooms, coin-operated showers, picnic tables, fireplace rings, dump station, boat launch
- # of websites: 46
- Canine allowed? Sure, on-leash (additional charge)
- Good to know: There are not any hook-ups and generator hours are 8am to 8pm
Westside Regional Park Campground sits on the southwest fringe of Bodega Harbor and gives a really perfect setting for fishing and mountaineering.
Westside Regional Park presents picnic tables, restrooms with flush bathrooms, and coin-operated showers, making it family-friendly and simple to camp. Additionally it is wheelchair-accessible.
It’s a fantastic spot as a result of it’s inside strolling distance of Bodega Head and its many mountaineering trails with scenic ocean views.
Journey Tip: Contemporary crab is offered down the road from the Westside Regional Park Campground!
Bodega Head, an enormous granite promontory inside Sonoma Coast State Park, gives a protecting barrier for Bodega Harbor towards the relentless storms of the Pacific Ocean and presents wonderful panoramic views.
Plan your Westside Regional Park Keep
5. Porto Bodega RV Park
- Nice for: RVers & households
- Amenities: Potable water, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, fireplace rings, dump station, laundry, membership home, on-site restaurant, boat ramp
- # of websites: 58
- Canine allowed? Sure, on-leash
- Good to know: No tents allowed
Porto Bodega RV Park is positioned 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 mountaineering alternatives close by.
Porto Bodega Marina & RV Park presents 58 RV websites and 12 are waterfront.
Every website has a picnic desk and fireplace 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 gentle coastal local weather characterised by comparatively average 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 in the course of the day in summer season 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 sometimes dry and foggy mornings are widespread.
Whilst you could be tenting in the course of the summer season, you continue to have to be sure you have a great sleeping bag for when temps dip within the night. Packing additional blankets to be secure is a good thought, together with a groundsheet and sleeping pad to your tent to supply extra insulation and luxury.
You’ll need a number of layers for tenting and mountaineering, together with an insulated jacket for cold nights, a sunhat, and sun shades. And be sure you deliver a washing go well with for all of the beautiful Bodega Bay seashores and perhaps a pair of binoculars for whale-watching.
Automotive Tenting Necessities Packing Checklist
Beneath are just a few of my favourite items of automotive tenting gear and proposals for the highway:
Planning a California getaway? Try a few of our favourite CA adventures:
Have you ever visited Bodega Bay? What Bodega Bay tenting ideas do it’s a must to share? What’s your favourite campground? Depart a remark beneath!
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