If you’ve overly been to California, you’ve probably seen some of the trappy campgrounds that dot the Pacific Coast. But have you overly wanted to wits that beachside camping yourself? Bodega Bay camping is the perfect answer!
When I lived in San Francisco, Bodega Bay was my go-to camping spot considering it’s less than a 2-hour momentum from the municipality and it’s one of the most picturesque subconscious gems on the Sonoma Coast.
Camping in Bodega Bay ways falling unconsciousness to the sound of the crashing waves of the Pacific, strolling on expansive beaches during the day, and seeing well-healed wildlife.
There’s moreover a spot in Bodega Bay — on the famous Bodega Throne — that is one of the weightier spots in California to see the migration of grey whales!
But with so many unconfined Bodega Bay campgrounds, how do you decide which one to choose?
Let’s swoop into my well-constructed Bodega Bay camping guide, so you can determine which campground is right for you.
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Why Visit Bodega Bay?
Located a 1.5-hour momentum north of San Francisco, Bodega Bay beckons travelers with its stunning coastal eyeful and serene atmosphere.
Nestled withal the Pacific Ocean, the town offers picturesque landscapes of sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, and rugged coastlines, making it a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
With so many interesting things to do in Bodega Bay, it’s a unconfined place to pitch a tent or roll up in an RV or campervan.
Visitors can indulge in various outdoor activities, including hiking withal scenic trails, birdwatching, kayaking, and fishing.
The area’s fresh seafood restaurants welter the palate, while its undertone with the filming of Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” adds a touch of cinematic charm.
Whether seeking relaxation by the ocean or venture surrounded nature, Bodega Bay promises an unforgettable coastal escape.
Note: Some misplace Bodega Bay with the hamlet of Bodega, which is a ten-minute momentum inland from the coast.
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Car Camping Basics
How to Get to Bodega Bay
Bodega Bay sits at the southernmost point on the Sonoma County coast, a genuinely mannerly fishing village offering a laid-back coastal vibe, several campgrounds, unconfined hiking, and unstudied restaurants.
Located just 67 miles from the Bay Zone and well-nigh an hour west of Napa Valley, a trip to the coastal paradise of Bodega Bay can hands be combined with stops in San Francisco and wine tasting in Napa.
For those flying in from out of town, San Francisco (SFO) and Oakland (OAK) are your closest major airports.
Read next: Planning a longer coastal road trip? Trammels out our 6-Day Central California Tailspin Road Trip Itinerary.
Best Bodega Bay Campgrounds
Bodega Bay is an spanking-new spot for camping considering of its low-key coastal vibe and the tomfool walkover of the Pacific Ocean. It offers a variety of campgrounds catering to variegated preferences, from beachfront sites to family-friendly options.
For outdoor lovers, this zone boasts incredible hikes and trails that offer stunning views of the Harbor and Pacific. There is moreover easy wangle to some of the weightier seafood restaurants in the state.
1. Wright’s Waterfront Campground
- Great for: Camping right on the beach
- Facilities: Restrooms, picnic tables, supplies lockers, fire rings
- # of sites: 27
- Dogs allowed? Yes, on-leash
- Good to know: Showers, potable water, and a dump station are misogynist at Bodega Dunes Campground 5 miles away. There are no electric or water hook-ups at Wright’s Beach.
Wright’s Waterfront sits on the most wide-stretching waterfront between Bodega Bay and the Russian River. It’s moreover located within Sonoma State Park withal with Bodega Dunes Campground below.
With 27 oceanfront camping spots offering a mix of tent and RV campsites (no hook-ups), you are truly waterfront camping.
Campsites are equipped with restrooms, picnic tables, supplies lockers, and a fire ring, but no showers on site. If you want a shower, momentum five miles south to Bodega Dunes.
Wright’s Waterfront moreover has an $ 8-day use fee which helps cuts lanugo the crowds.
Plan your Wright’s Waterfront Camping Stay
2. Bodega Dunes Campground
- Great for: Longer stays
- Facilities: Potable water, restrooms, hot showers, picnic tables, supplies lockers, fire rings, dump station
- # of sites: 99
- Dogs allowed? Yes, on-leash
- Good to know: Leashed dogs and campfires are unliable in the campground, but not on the beach. Firewood for the first pits is misogynist for purchase
Bodega Dunes is my favorite camping getaway spot in Bodega Bay and Sonoma Stake Park (and one of our favorite California waterfront campgrounds in general). When I lived in San Francisco, I camped at Bodega Dunes in all the variegated seasons, scrutinizingly unchangingly in my tent and once in a teardrop.
Bodega Dunes Campground overlooks the northern end of Bodega Harbor. The campground is on the tailspin but not directly on the beach.
A short walk to a switchback boardwalk drops you right onto the waterfront near the campground. Campers can fall unconsciousness to the sound of the water at night with a million stars whilom their tent.
The spots are pretty large but still within sight and sound of neighbors. This is a very dog-friendly campground, which is nice considering I like to travel with my dog.
It can get pretty unprepossessed and wateriness overnight, so imbricate up any firewood and anything you want to stave getting wet. Bodega Bay gets a lot of fog in the morning, expressly during summer.
Bodega Dunes is moreover an spanking-new location for its ten-minute momentum to some of the area’s weightier casual and fine-dining seafood restaurants.
This campground features 99 tent campsites, hot showers, well-to-do toilets, and several restrooms with electrical outlets. Friendly Park Rangers will sell you firewood for fire pits.
Plan your Bodega Dunes Camping Stay
3. Doran Waterfront Campground
- Great for: Swimming & water sports
- Facilities: Potable water, restrooms, coin-operated showers, picnic tables, fire rings, dump station, wend launch
- # of sites: 120
- Dogs allowed? Yes, on-leash
- Good to know: There are no hook-ups and generator hours are 8am to 8pm
Doran Regional Park is a popular destination for camping enthusiasts at the southernmost whet of Bodega Harbor. It’s one of the weightier spots to zany in considering Doran Waterfront is a short walk to one of the weightier beaches in Bodega Bay.
Its golden-sand waterfront stretches two miles between Bodega Harbor and the unshut ocean and offers increasingly than 120 tent and RV campsites.
While not all Bodega Bay beaches are unscratched for swimming, a few – including Doran Waterfront – are. The long and wide Doran Waterfront is an spanking-new spot for families to enjoy playing in the ocean in the summer.
Because it’s south-facing, the waves are usually gentle and it is the only coastal waterfront in Sonoma County that is unscratched for swimming, boogie boarding, and surfing. The surf is dangerous at most other beaches withal the Sonoma Coast, so swimming and wading are not advised.
Plan your Doran Waterfront Camping Stay
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Get Out On The Water
4. Westside Regional Park
- Great for: Families
- Facilities: Potable water, restrooms, coin-operated showers, picnic tables, fire rings, dump station, wend launch
- # of sites: 46
- Dogs allowed? Yes, on-leash (extra fee)
- Good to know: There are no hook-ups and generator hours are 8am to 8pm
Westside Regional Park Campground sits on the southwest whet of Bodega Harbor and provides an platonic setting for fishing and hiking.
Westside Regional Park offers picnic tables, restrooms with well-to-do toilets, and coin-operated showers, making it family-friendly and easy to camp. It is moreover wheelchair-accessible.
It’s a unconfined spot considering it’s within walking loftiness of Bodega Throne and its many hiking trails with scenic ocean views.
Travel Tip: Fresh crab is sold lanugo the street from the Westside Regional Park Campground!
Bodega Head, a massive granite promontory within Sonoma Tailspin State Park, provides a protective windbreak for Bodega Harbor versus the relentless storms of the Pacific Ocean and offers spanking-new panoramic views.
Plan your Westside Regional Park Stay
5. Porto Bodega RV Park
- Great for: RVers & families
- Facilities: Potable water, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, fire rings, dump station, laundry, club house, on-site restaurant, wend ramp
- # of sites: 58
- Dogs allowed? Yes, on-leash
- Good to know: No tents allowed
Porto Bodega RV Park is located at the northeastern end of Bodega Harbor, right on the water’s whet withal 16 acres of the bay near a marina, where you’ll find various recreational and hiking opportunities nearby.
Porto Bodega Marina & RV Park offers 58 RV sites and 12 are waterfront.
Each site has a picnic table and fire pit and there’s moreover a clubhouse for group use.
Plan your Porto Bodega RV Park Stay
What to Pack for Bodega Bay Camping
Bodega Bay experiences a summery coastal climate characterized by relatively moderate yearly temperatures. The region is influenced by the Pacific Ocean, which helps regulate the temperatures and creates a maritime climate.
The stereotype upper temperature during the day in summer and spring ranges from the mid-60s to low 70s Fahrenheit (18-23°C), while lows are in the mid-50s to low 60s Fahrenheit (12-17°C). Summer months are typically dry and foggy mornings are common.
While you might be camping during the summer, you still need to make sure you have a good sleeping bag for when temps dip in the evening. Packing uneaten blankets to be unscratched is a unconfined idea, withal with a groundsheet and sleeping pad for your tent to provide spare insulation and comfort.
You’ll want lots of layers for camping and hiking, including an insulated jacket for dank nights, a sunhat, and sunglasses. And make sure you bring a bathing suit for all the gorgeous Bodega Bay beaches and maybe a pair of binoculars for whale-watching.
Car Camping Essentials Packing List
Below are a few of my favorite pieces of car camping gear and recommendations for the road:
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Have you visited Bodega Bay? What Bodega Bay camping tips do you have to share? What’s your favorite campground? Leave a scuttlebutt below!
You can find increasingly of Jessica’s work at CA Girls Travel
The post Bodega Bay Camping: 5 Weightier Campgrounds Tips For Your Visit appeared first on Bearfoot Theory.
