Bodega Bay is only 30 minutes from the ranch and offers a wonderful vacation experience. Nature lovers will enjoy the wildlife, including Sandhill Cranes (shown above), pelicans, whale watching, sea lions, and numerous migrations of birds. Sport fishing, abalone diving, golfing, hiking, swimming, kayacking, surfing and windsurfing are popular sports. Romantics will enjoy the numerous inns and restaurants, scenic trails and beaches, gift shops and galleries. Children will enjoy the beaches, salt water marshes and fun places to explore.
CAUTION: Many of the Sonoma beaches have dangerous rip tides that make swimming unsafe. Be sure to read signs describing safety conditions.
2004 AHA Youth of the Year, Ashley Young, galloping on Bodega Bay beach with Youth National Champion Working Hunter HS Revelation. Bodega Bay offers day riding or overnight camping with your horse - a great vacation.
Local restaurants feature fresh seafood, fine wines, and romantic settings. Dress is casual throughout the area.
Other activities include kayacking, wind surfing, deep sea fishing, hiking, bird watching and enjoying nature. Bodega Bay is great for the outdoor person and the romantic. Wonderful restaurants and inns in a range of budgets, spectacular golf courses, truly something for everyone.
Bodega Bay has 2 large warfside restaurants serving excellent seafood and steaks. Lucas Warf and The Tides are easy to find along Highway 1 and will not disappoint. Dungeness crab is to Northern California what lobster is to Maine. Lager than east coast crabs, it is easier to eat, but has sweet firm meat. Try Ciopino, a tomato based fish stew, a popular entree with locals. Sourdough bread, fresh veggies and delicious deserts compliment the seafood.
Seatings outdoors are casual and sandwiches, fish and chips, and clam chowder; indoor dining is more formal and offers a larger menu. The gift shop features souvenirs, books, maps and books on Northern California hiking, nature, wines and touring information.
Visit the website at www.innatthetides.com
St. Theresa of Avila Roman Catholic Church. The schooland convent were featured in the Alfred Hitchcock classic "The Birds." The church still functions as a Roman Catholic church with Mass on Sunday mornings at 9:00 am and 11:00 am. The convent and school is now a museum and bookstore featuring posters, books and memorabilia from the movie.
Directions to Bodega Bay: Head North on Hwy 116 from the Ranch to Sebastopol, and take Bodega Hwy left for about 10 miles to Hwy 1. Turn right on Hwy 1 and head North. Bodega Bay is about 45 minutes from the ranch.