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Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa
The Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa is north of San Francisco and near the Point Reyes National Seashore, a beautiful California coast hotel with Pacific Ocean views.
Our Bedroom at the Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa
We were so glad to get to the Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa. It could have been the motel in Psycho for all we cared, we'd still have checked in. Our drive from Carmel took us much longer than we thought, not helped by taking a wrong exit in San Francisco that resulted in us driving through downtown in late afternoon traffic.
After a stop at the Golden Gate Bridge to see the City by the Bay, we naturally took the coastal road for the last leg to Bodega Bay. It's a fabulous drive along winding hilly roads, through wooded scenery before falling down to Stinson Beach where herons and egrets were feeding. Then it's through Dogtown ('Population 30') and the glorious Point Reyes National Seashore.
Arriving at Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa
It was a beautiful drive, but slow. It takes about two hours to cover the 75 or so miles from the Golden Gate Bridge to Bodega Bay, though you can do it in an hour if you take the faster 101 route inland through Novato. But why drive the Pacific Coast Highway and head away from the coast? So we were an hour late for the Lodge's complimentary wine hour (5-6pm), and it was Tuesday and their acclaimed Duck Club Restaurant was closed.
View from our Room at the Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa
Our Room at Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa
We may have been downhearted and a little tired when we drove round to our room (#607), but our spirits lifted as soon as we walked in. The room was huge, with a massive bed, and a balcony. We stepped out to a fabulous view across a marshland bird sanctuary to the Pacific Ocean, and were greeted by the ribbit-ribbit chorus of frogs, who were also getting ready for the sunset.
Enjoying Bodega Bay Behind the Lodge
The Lodge is cleverly designed so all rooms have such views (though upper rooms like we had are obviously a little better), and its rustic architecture blends nicely into the landscape. Oh yes, we thought, it takes a lot to beat a California coast hotel.
Eating Out
The Bodega Bay Lodge was as far removed from the Psycho motel as you could get, but we were soon in another Hitchcock movie. We drove three minutes to eat out at the Lucas Wharf Restaurant and Bar, which is on the wharf where scenes from Alfred Hitchcock's classic movie The Birds were filmed. We had fabulous seafood (a calamari steak and a shrimp risotto), and went back to enjoy our lovely room at the Lodge.
Bodega Bay Lodge's Gardens
Eating In
We may have missed out on dinner but we enjoyed the marsh and sea views from the Duck Club Restaurant for breakfast. From a very extensive and tempting breakfast menu, Donna had a crab and asparagus omelette and I was boring and chose one of my favorite breakfast dishes, Eggs Benedict, both made with a wonderful Hollandaise sauce and absolutely delicious.
Even the simple things like coffee and juice were excellent too. When you're on a road trip you need a hotel that gives you a good start to the day, and we definitely got that here.
Swimming Pool at the Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa
Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa Facilities
After breakfast there was time to stroll around the hotel, breathe in the fresh ocean air, and check out the swimming pool and the spa next to it, which both overlook that lovely part of the California coast. No time to try out a treatment, though it was tempting. There's also a fitness center, an outdoor whirlpool spa, and a sauna.
Sadly we had to hit the road, as we wanted to drive back and see Point Reyes at a more leisurely pace, and also visit Bodega, where more scenes from The Birds were filmed. We will definitely try to get back to the Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa again – but get there early, and enjoy it even more.
Swimming Pool at the Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa
Contact Details
Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa
103 Coast Highway One
Bodega Bay, CA 94923
Telephone: 707-875-3525
Toll Free: 888-875-2250
Other California PCH Hotels
The California Coast's hotels, inns, guesthouses, b&bs and other places to stay include 5-star luxury hotels and resorts, motel chains, RV parks and camping.
Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends good cheap motels in San Diego including Super-8, Motel 6, Travelodge and Days Inn.
The Viceroy Santa Monica hotel is one of Los Angeles' best, a favorite of celebrities like Dustin Hoffman, Sting, Demi Moore, and Leonardo DiCaprio,
The Hotel Pacific is a Monterey boutique hotel in a good location close to Fisherman’s wharf and downtown restaurants and bars and with its own parking garage.
The historic Franciscan Inn in Santa Barbara, California, near the Pacific Coast Highway, is in a quiet location near the beach ideal for those driving PCH.
The Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo is a romantic, historic guesthouse on the Mendocino California coast, on the Pacific Coast Highway.
Where to Stay in Carmel include reviews of the Mission Ranch, Sea View Inn, The Cypress Inn, Lamp Lighter Inn and Vagabond's House Inn.
The Oceana Santa Barbara beachfront hotel has a perfect seafront location, close to Stearns Wharf and State Street, and whale watching cruises.
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.
The Inn at Morro Bay offers accommodation in Morro Bay State Park, close to beach and wildlife, with outdoor pool, just off the Pacific Coast Highway.
If looking for Paso Robles accommodation you could stay on a vineyard at the luxury JUST Inn Bed and Breakfast, in the grounds of the JUSTIN winery.
For a Moss Beach hotel just off the Pacific Coast Highway, the Seal Cove Inn offers good accommodation north of Half Moon Bay, minutes from the ocean.
Los Angeles Airport hotels include Hilton, Radisson, Marriott, Embassy Suites, Crowne Plaza and other top names, all of them within a mile or so of LAX.
The Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel is Ventura 's only beachside hotel with ocean front swimming pool and rooms with ocean views.
For a Monterey Inn just off the Pacific Coast Highway in California, the Mariposa Inn and Suites is hard to beat, providing good accommodation close to PCH.
There are many Santa Monica luxury hotels and while Le Meridien Delfina is not right by the beach it has a great bar, pool, restaurant.
For a Dana Point hotel next to the beach and near the harbor for whale watching cruises, the Doubletree Suites by Hilton with its ocean views is hard to beat.
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 Napa Wine Country Inn and Gardens in St Helena overlooks a vineyard and has free wine tastings every evening and offers guests help with booking wine tours.
For Cambria accommodation on California Central Coast, not far from Hearst Castle, check out the Olallieberry Inn with private bathrooms and great breakfasts.
Pacific Coast Highway Travel's website recommendations on Where to Stay in San Diego include reviews of budget and luxury hotels in downtown San Diego.
Of all Eureka inns, The Carter House Inns are the most romantic and historic, with one of the best restaurants in Northern California.
The Madonna Inn is a historic landmark resort hotel in San Luis Obispo, California, with 109 uniquely decorated rooms, steak house, and fitness centre.
The Grande Colonial La Jolla luxury hotel is downtown, close to restaurants and shopping, with historic charm, and a highly acclaimed restaurant.
The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino on the California coast is an eco-resort with yoga classes and the award-winning Ravens Restaurant.
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