Bodega Bay
Bodega Bay is a small California coastal town on the borders
of Marin County and Sonoma County, and famous for being the filming location
for Alfred Hitchcock's film, The Birds.
Bodega Bay
Bodega Bay was one of the lovely discoveries we made on our
first major Pacific Coast Highway drive, when we stayed at the Bodega Bay Lodge
and Spa. We know friends who've visited Bodega Bay since then and they've all
been as delighted as we were to discover its laid-back and slightly upscale charms.
Bodega Bay Sunset
There isn't much to do in Bodega Bay, and that is part of
its appeal. Many people come because they know it's where Alfred Hitchcock
filmed his horror classic, The Birds, and they stay to be seduced by this
little coastal town.
Our Pick of the California Guides
Its attractions are well-displayed in the movie, so take a look to see what it's like. Just put the birds themselves out of your mind. The seagulls aren't that aggressive!
Horseshoe Bay
Getting to Bodega Bay
Bodega Bay is about 70 miles north of San Francisco, roughly
a 90-minute drive if you take the faster route inland along Highway-101.
Our
preference, if time isn't pressing, is to take the Highway-1 route along the
coast past the Point Reyes National Seashore. The distance is about the same
but your journey time could be twice as long as the roads are slower and
winding in places.
Surf Shop in Bodega
The Name of Bodega
Bay
Bodega is named after the splendid-sounding 18th-century explorer,
Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra, although the original Bodega Bay is where
Tomales Bay now is, about a half-hour south. The Spanish later moved their base
to what they thought was a better location, taking its name with it.
Green Fields near Bodega Bay
What to Do in Bodega
Bay
Shopping: There are a number of art galleries and studios,
reflecting the well-heeled nature of many of the visitors, who rent vacation
homes here. It's not overly expensive, though, and you'll be tempted to buy
paintings, photographs, and other art-works from the local artists who have
settled here, lured by those relaxed charms.
Golf: There are three golf courses in the area.
Hiking: There are several excellent coastal trails of
differing lengths and difficulties.
Watersports: If you like being out on the water then you can
organise various watersports activities in Bodega Bay. These include
sailing, sports fishing, and kayaking.
Horse Riding: Go on a trail ride with the delightfully-named
Horse 'n' Around.
Whale Watching: You can watch from the shoreline at Sonomoa
Coast State Park, or take a tour out to sea with one of the charter boat
companies.
Where to Eat in Bodega Bay
For such a small place there's a lot of eating choices
packed in, whether you want fine dining or you want to keep it cheap. There are
plenty of places offering views over the water too. You'll find Mexican,
Italian, coffee shops, delis, BBQ, and, of course, The Birds Café.
Where to Stay in
Bodega Bay
We stayed at the Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa, which we
absolutely loved.
The Main Street in Bodega
Filming The Birds
Much of the movie was shot in and around the wharf area, and there's no better place to relax and enjoy a bowl of clam chowder or other fresh seafood. But if you want to see the house that features prominently in the film, you have to head inland, going south on Highway-1, to the town of Bodega itself. It's about a 5-minute drive.
The Church from The Birds Movie
This little place is as appealing as Bodega Bay but don't
drive too fast or you'll shoot out the other side. Look out for a church on a
hill on the right, and then take a right on Bodega Lane up the next little
slope, and the handsome white house is at the top on your right. This is the
main house featured in the film, but the church was also used, and some scenes
were filmed in the streets around. You can learn more here.
The House from The Birds Movie
More California Coast pages
This Visiting Hearst Castle page gives all the practicalities including location, types of tour, length of tours, how long to allow, and much more information.
The Point Reyes National Seashore is an hour’s drive northwest of San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway and is maintained by the National Park Service.
San Clemente in California is a small city on the Pacific Coast Highway midway between San Diego and Los Angeles, noted for its beaches and surfing.
Monterey in California is off the Pacific Coast Highway and home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Monterey State Historic Park.
Santa Catalina Island, or Catalina Island, is off the shore of Southern California and reachable from Long Beach, San Pedro, Newport Beach, and Dana Point.
There are plenty of Santa Cruz downtown wine tastings including Beauregard Vineyards,Storrs Winery and Pelican Ranch Winery,all with tasting rooms.
Crescent City is on the Pacific Coast Highway in northern California and noted for its crescent-shaped beach, Ocean World sea park, and nearby redwoods and state parks.
The Pacific Coast Highway goes right through Laguna Beach, a relaxed artsy beach resort whose attractions include shopping, galleries, dining, and beaches.
The Pelican Inn and Suites in Cambria on California's Central Coast has oceanfront views, swimming pool, gardens, and is right on the beach near Hearst Castle.
The Casa Laguna Hotel and Spa in Laguna Beach is right on the Pacific Coast Highway and has luxury rooms, a swimming pool, and real gourmet breakfasts.
Lonely Planet's Coastal California guidebook is the ideal travel guide for driving or cycling the Pacific Coast Highway from the Oregon border to Mexico.
Santa Monica in California is famous for its pier, and beaches, and is one of the best west coast vacation spots, with hotels, restaurants, surfing, museums.
Santa Monica Pier is just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica near Los Angeles, with an amusement park, an aquarium and many other attractions.
Newport Beach is a small city on the Pacific coast of southern California, right on the Pacific Coast Highway and noted for its beaches and surfing.
Mendocino in Mendocino County is a small but pretty California coastal town, popular with artists and with travelers. It has featured in many songs and movies.
Standing on the Pacific Coast Highway in California, Santa Barbara is an attractive resort with a historic downtown, sandy beaches, a mission, and good museums.
One of the best California coast guides is the California Coastal Access Guide, describing the coast’s beaches, National Parks, State Parks, with many maps.
La Jolla in southern California is north of San Diego off the Pacific Coast Highway and has museums, restaurants, hotels, beaches, and the Birch Aquarium.
Pacific Grove is a small city on the California coast, next to Monterey and close to Carmel, with attractions including its historic Victorian houses.
Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway include some of the best independently-owned boutique hotels, spas, and lodges in California, Oregon and Washington.
A walk around the Point Lobos State Reserve near Monterey and Carmel provides lots of photo opportunities, especially of the Harbor Seal Birthing Area.
The Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo is a romantic, historic guesthouse on the Mendocino California coast, on the Pacific Coast Highway.
Santa Cruz on the Pacific Coast Highway in California has its famous boardwalk, beaches, wine tastings, Surfing Museum, Mission, and Marine Discovery Center.
Encinitas is a beach city in Southern California, famous for surfing, and regularly chosen as one of the best places to live in both California and the USA.
Pismo Beach is a small beach town on California's Central Coast, a resort famous for surfing and clams.
-
May 01, 24 11:10 AM
Beaches. Mountains. Deserts. Cities. California has a lot, and it’s known for a lot, but in the mix of some of the most incredible scenery in the United States, one excellent feature is often overlook…
Read More
-
Apr 30, 24 07:57 PM
The best things to do in Monterey, chosen by Pacific Coast Highway Travel, include the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, whale watching and Fisherman's Wharf.
Read More
-
Apr 24, 24 11:14 AM
After two months of lane closures on PCH in Malibu, the highway has fully reopened.
Read More