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 on the California coastBodega 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.

Sunset over Bodega Bay on the California coastBodega 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

Rough-Guide-California-2023.png

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 near Bodega Bay on the California coastHorseshoe 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.

The Surf Shop in the town of Bodega inland from Bodega BaySurf 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 BayGreen 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 the town of Bodega near Bodega BayThe 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 in Bodega, near Bodega BayThe 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 in Bodega, near Bodega BayThe House from The Birds Movie

More Information

http://www.visitbodegabayca.com/

Sonoma Coast Visitor Center, 913 Highway 1, Bodega Bay
(707) 875-3866

https://www.sonomacounty.com/chamberscvbs/
sonoma-coast-visitors-center

More California Coast pages

  • Carlsbad is a beach city north of San Diego in southern California famous for its flower fields, LEGOLAND resort and water park, surfing and SEA LIFE Aquarium.

    Carlsbad

    Carlsbad is a beach city north of San Diego in southern California famous for its flower fields, LEGOLAND resort and water park, surfing and SEA LIFE Aquarium.

  • Santa Cruz on the Pacific Coast Highway in California has its famous boardwalk, beaches, wine tastings, Surfing Museum, Mission, and Marine Discovery Center.

    Santa Cruz

    Santa Cruz on the Pacific Coast Highway in California has its famous boardwalk, beaches, wine tastings, Surfing Museum, Mission, and Marine Discovery Center.

  • 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.

    Santa Monica Pier

    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.

    Newport Beach

    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.

  • 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.

    Visiting Hearst Castle

    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.

  • Historic and romantic Vagabond's House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Carmel is a great place to stay with free wine and cheese and generous breakfast.

    Vagabond's House Inn

    Historic and romantic Vagabond's House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Carmel is a great place to stay with free wine and cheese and generous breakfast.

  • 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.

    Santa Barbara

    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.

  • 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.

    La Jolla, in southern California

    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.

  • PCH Travel picks the best time to visit Mendocino, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

    Best Time to Visit Mendocino

    PCH Travel picks the best time to visit Mendocino, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

  • Drive the Pacific Coast Highway and you have to cross Bixby Bridge in California, ten miles north of Big Sur and 30 minutes south of Monterey.

    Bixby Bridge

    Drive the Pacific Coast Highway and you have to cross Bixby Bridge in California, ten miles north of Big Sur and 30 minutes south of Monterey.

  • Pacific Grove is a small city on the California coast, next to Monterey and close to Carmel, with attractions including its historic Victorian houses.

    Pacific Grove

    Pacific Grove is a small city on the California coast, next to Monterey and close to Carmel, with attractions including its historic Victorian houses.

  • Pismo Beach is a small beach town on California's Central Coast, a resort famous for surfing and clams.

    Pismo Beach

    Pismo Beach is a small beach town on California's Central Coast, a resort famous for surfing and clams.

  • 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.

    Encinitas

    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.

  • Morro Bay is a delightful small town on the California coast roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and noted for the huge Morro Rock.

    Morro Bay

    Morro Bay is a delightful small town on the California coast roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and noted for the huge Morro Rock.

  • Whale watching in California is one of the most popular things to do along the Pacific Coast Highway, in places like San Diego, San Francisco and many more.

    Whale Watching in California

    Whale watching in California is one of the most popular things to do along the Pacific Coast Highway, in places like San Diego, San Francisco and many more.

  • Dana Point in California is the official start or end of the Pacific Coast Highway, and its attractions include whale watching, and Doheny State Beach.

    Dana Point

    Dana Point in California is the official start or end of the Pacific Coast Highway, and its attractions include whale watching, and Doheny State Beach.

  • There are lots of free things to do on the Pacific Coast Highway and here's our list of ten of them including wildlife, the best free views, and free museums.

    Free Things to do on the Pacific Coast Highway

    There are lots of free things to do on the Pacific Coast Highway and here's our list of ten of them including wildlife, the best free views, and free museums.

  • 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.

    Monterey, on the Pacific Coast Highway in California

    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.

  • San Luis Obispo in California is half-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, on the Pacific Coast Highway and with lots of things to do and see.

    San Luis Obispo

    San Luis Obispo in California is half-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, on the Pacific Coast Highway and with lots of things to do and see.

  • 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.

    Pelican Inn and Suites in Cambria on the Central Coast of California

    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.

  • 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.

    Coastal California Guidebook

    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.

  • 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.

    Stanford Inn by the Sea Mendocino

    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.

  • 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.

    Moss Beach Hotel

    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.

  • 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.

    California Coast Guide

    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.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel's list of the best beaches in California with beaches in Santa Monica, Big Sur, Malibu, Carmel, Cambria, La Jolla and Coronado.

    Best Beaches in California

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel's list of the best beaches in California with beaches in Santa Monica, Big Sur, Malibu, Carmel, Cambria, La Jolla and Coronado.

Recent Articles

RSS

  1. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/best-things-to-do-in-newport-beach

    Aug 14, 25 03:15 AM

    Dubbed the ‘Hamptons of Hollywood’, and familiar to many thanks to The OC , this coastal city is a great stop on a Southern Californian road trip.

    Read More

  2. LA County is about to find out what happens when you fire weather experts

    Aug 13, 25 04:05 AM

    California weather offices responsible for Los Angeles fire warnings will remain “criminally understaffed” after Trump administration cuts while new hires get on board, former NWS meteorologists warn.

    Read More

  3. 2025's 8 Best Small Towns To Visit In California

    Aug 09, 25 04:20 AM

    California is a state of extremes, where golden beaches meet snowcapped peaks and ancient redwood forests stand just miles from arid desert dunes. Beyond its world-famous cities, the Golden State hide…

    Read More