Friday, December 13, 2024

5 Greatest Campgrounds + Suggestions For Your Go to – Bearfoot Idea

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In the event you’ve ever been to California, you’ve in all probability seen a number of the lovely campgrounds that dot the Pacific Coast. However have you ever ever wished to expertise that beachside tenting your self? Bodega Bay tenting is the right reply!

After I lived in San Francisco, Bodega Bay was my go-to tenting spot as a result of it’s lower than a 2-hour drive from the town and it’s some of the picturesque hidden gems on the Sonoma Coast.

Tenting in Bodega Bay means falling asleep to the sound of the crashing waves of the Pacific, strolling on expansive seashores throughout the day, and seeing ample wildlife.

There’s additionally a spot in Bodega Bay — on the well-known Bodega Head — that is among the greatest spots in California to see the migration of gray whales!

However with so many nice Bodega Bay campgrounds, how do you resolve which one to decide on?

Let’s dive into my full Bodega Bay tenting information, so you may decide which campground is best for you.

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Why Go to Bodega Bay?

Situated a 1.5-hour drive north of San Francisco, Bodega Bay beckons vacationers with its beautiful coastal magnificence and serene ambiance.

Nestled alongside the Pacific Ocean, the city affords picturesque landscapes of sandy seashores, rocky cliffs, and rugged coastlines, making it a paradise for nature lovers and out of doors lovers.

With so many fascinating issues to do in Bodega Bay, it’s an amazing place to pitch a tent or roll up in an RV or campervan.

Guests can take pleasure in varied out of doors actions, together with mountaineering alongside scenic trails, birdwatching, kayaking, and fishing.

The world’s recent seafood eating places delight the palate, whereas its affiliation with the filming of Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” provides a contact of cinematic appeal.

Whether or not in search of leisure by the ocean or journey amidst nature, Bodega Bay guarantees an unforgettable coastal escape.

Observe: Some confuse Bodega Bay with the hamlet of Bodega, which is a ten-minute drive inland from the coast.

Learn Extra

Automobile Tenting Fundamentals


Get to Bodega Bay

Bodega Bay sits on the southernmost level on the Sonoma County coast, a genuinely charming fishing village providing a laid-back coastal vibe, a number of campgrounds, nice mountaineering, and informal eating places.

Situated simply 67 miles from the Bay Space and about an hour west of Napa Valley, a visit to the coastal paradise of Bodega Bay can simply be mixed with stops in San Francisco and wine tasting in Napa.

For these flying in from out of city, San Francisco (SFO) and Oakland (OAK) are your closest main airports.

Wildflowers blooming on banks of Bodega Bay in California with ocean waves crashing on beach

Greatest Bodega Bay Campgrounds

Bodega Bay is a great spot for tenting due to its low-key coastal vibe and the cool breeze of the Pacific Ocean. It affords quite a lot of campgrounds catering to completely different preferences, from beachfront websites to family-friendly choices.

For out of doors lovers, this space boasts unbelievable hikes and trails that provide beautiful views of the Harbor and Pacific. There may be additionally quick access to a number of the greatest seafood eating places within the state.

Tenting in California may be very widespread. Reservations could be made year-round at campgrounds, so plan forward to make sure availability.

1. Wright’s Seashore Campground

  • Nice for: Tenting proper on the seashore
  • Services: Restrooms, picnic tables, meals lockers, hearth rings
  • # of websites: 27
  • Canine allowed? Sure, on-leash
  • Good to know: Showers, potable water, and a dump station can be found at Bodega Dunes Campground 5 miles away. There aren’t any electrical or water hook-ups at Wright’s Seashore.
Tents and vans at Wright's Beach Campground in California
Campsites are proper on the seashore at Wright’s Campground | Picture credit score: Jessica Iler

Wright’s Seashore sits on probably the most intensive seashore between Bodega Bay and the Russian River. It’s additionally positioned inside Sonoma State Park together with Bodega Dunes Campground beneath.

With 27 oceanfront tenting spots providing a mixture of tent and RV campsites (no hook-ups), you’re actually seashore tenting.

Campsites are outfitted with restrooms, picnic tables, meals lockers, and a fireplace ring, however no showers on website. If you’d like a bathe, drive 5 miles south to Bodega Dunes.

Wright’s Seashore additionally has an $ 8-day use price which helps cuts down the crowds.

Plan your Wright’s Seashore Tenting Keep

  • For a reservation: It’s really helpful that you simply make reservations upfront by calling 707-875-3483. Or by going to The California State Parks web site (search Sonoma Coast State Park).
  • Location: 7095 Freeway 1, Bodega Bay, California.
  • Issues to do at Wright’s Seashore: Get pleasure from whale watching from January to Could when whales migrate previous this space. Thrill-seekers can partake in dangle gliding, whereas these in search of a scenic journey can go for mountaineering the Kortum Path. This path affords a straightforward, cliff-side quick hike roughly 4.5 miles roundtrip between Wright’s Seashore and Blind Seashore. The trailhead for the Kortum Path could be discovered at Shell Seashore, which is a superb spot for beachcombing and exploring tide swimming pools.

2. Bodega Dunes Campground

  • Nice for: Longer stays
  • Services: Potable water, restrooms, sizzling showers, picnic tables, meals lockers, hearth rings, dump station
  • # of websites: 99
  • Canine allowed? Sure, on-leash
  • Good to know: Leashed canine and campfires are allowed within the campground, however not on the seashore. Firewood for the primary pits is out there for buy
Sandy path leading to ocean in California
Picture credit score: Jessica Iler

Bodega Dunes is my favourite tenting getaway spot in Bodega Bay and Sonoma Stake Park (and one among our favourite California seashore campgrounds normally). After I lived in San Francisco, I camped at Bodega Dunes in all of the completely different seasons, virtually all the time in my tent and as soon as in a teardrop.

Bodega Dunes Campground overlooks the northern finish of Bodega Harbor. The campground is on the coast however indirectly on the seashore.

A brief stroll to a switchback boardwalk drops you proper onto the seashore close to the campground. Campers can go to sleep to the sound of the water at night time with one million stars above their tent.

The spots are fairly massive however nonetheless close by and sound of neighbors. This can be a very dog-friendly campground, which is sweet as a result of I prefer to journey with my canine.

It may possibly get fairly chilly and damp in a single day, so cowl up any firewood and something you wish to keep away from getting moist. Bodega Bay will get loads of fog within the morning, particularly throughout summer time.

Bodega Dunes can also be a wonderful location for its ten-minute drive to a number of the space’s greatest informal and fine-dining seafood eating places.

This campground options 99 tent campsites, sizzling showers, flush bathrooms, and several other restrooms with electrical retailers. Pleasant Park Rangers will promote you firewood for hearth pits.

Plan your Bodega Dunes Tenting Keep

  • For a reservation: To make a reservation name (707) 875-3483 or guide on-line. Reservations are extremely really helpful. 
  • Location: 2485 Freeway 1, Bodega Bay, California.
  • Issues to do at Bodega Dunes: Play on the seashore, fly a kite, or simply stroll. Guests can even observe the Western Snowy Plovers of their pure habitat. These birds are lovable little gray-and-white endangered shorebirds.

3. Doran Seashore Campground

  • Nice for: Swimming & water sports activities
  • Services: Potable water, restrooms, coin-operated showers, picnic tables, hearth rings, dump station, boat launch
  • # of websites: 120
  • Canine allowed? Sure, on-leash
  • Good to know: There aren’t any hook-ups and generator hours are 8am to 8pm
kids playing in shallow water at Doran Beach in California
Picture credit score: Jessica Iler

Doran Regional Park is a well-liked vacation spot for tenting lovers on the southernmost fringe of Bodega Harbor. It’s top-of-the-line spots to camp in as a result of Doran Seashore is a brief stroll to top-of-the-line seashores in Bodega Bay.

Its golden-sand seashore stretches two miles between Bodega Harbor and the open ocean and affords greater than 120 tent and RV campsites.

Whereas not all Bodega Bay seashores are protected for swimming, a couple of – together with Doran Seashore – are. The lengthy and extensive Doran Seashore is a great spot for households to take pleasure in enjoying within the ocean in the summertime.

As a result of it’s south-facing, the waves are often light and it’s the solely coastal seashore in Sonoma County that’s protected for swimming, boogie boarding, and browsing. The surf is harmful at most different seashores alongside the Sonoma Coast, so swimming and wading are usually not suggested.

Plan your Doran Seashore Tenting Keep

  • For a reservation: Guide on-line at Doran Regional Park’s campsite reservation web page.
  • Location: 201 Doran Seashore Highway, Bodega Bay, California.
  • Issues to do at Doran Seashore: The world has loads of enjoyable actions, particularly Doran Seashore, a brief stroll from the campground. Benefit from the seashore and seashore issues like flying a kite, constructing a sandcastle, or going horse using on the close by Chanslor Stables.

    For water lovers, the park’s boat launch affords crusing, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding alternatives. In the event you’re into fishing, head to the west finish’s rock jetty.

    I additionally advocate strolling alongside the Hen Stroll Coastal Entry Path, which meanders alongside the scenic Bodega Bay salt marsh. Throughout your stroll, preserve your eyes peeled for varied chook species like geese, geese, sandpipers, grebes, swallows, and hummingbirds.

Learn Extra

Get Out On The Water

4. Westside Regional Park

  • Nice for: Households
  • Services: Potable water, restrooms, coin-operated showers, picnic tables, hearth rings, dump station, boat launch
  • # of websites: 46
  • Canine allowed? Sure, on-leash (further price)
  • Good to know: There aren’t any hook-ups and generator hours are 8am to 8pm
Landscape photo of Bodega Bay Head coastline in California

Westside Regional Park Campground sits on the southwest fringe of Bodega Harbor and offers a really perfect setting for fishing and mountaineering.

Westside Regional Park affords picnic tables, restrooms with flush bathrooms, and coin-operated showers, making it family-friendly and straightforward to camp. Additionally it is wheelchair-accessible.

It’s an amazing spot as a result of it’s inside strolling distance of Bodega Head and its many mountaineering trails with scenic ocean views.

Journey Tip: Recent crab is bought down the road from the Westside Regional Park Campground!

Bodega Head, an enormous granite promontory inside Sonoma Coast State Park, offers a protecting barrier for Bodega Harbor in opposition to the relentless storms of the Pacific Ocean and affords wonderful panoramic views.

Plan your Westside Regional Park Keep

  • For a reservation: Test their official web site for reservation info and charges.
  • Location: 2400 Westshore Highway, Bodega Bay, California
  • Issues to do at Westside Regional Park: Stroll to Bodega Head from the campground and see beautiful views of the Pacific. Top-of-the-line whale-watching spots in California is on this 1.2-mile loop path on the cliffs close to the West Path car parking zone. The perfect time to identify whales is from October by means of February when Gray whales are southbound from Alaska to Mexico, and February by means of April, on their return voyage.

5. Porto Bodega RV Park

  • Nice for: RVers & households
  • Services: Potable water, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, hearth rings, dump station, laundry, membership home, on-site restaurant, boat ramp
  • # of websites: 58
  • Canine allowed? Sure, on-leash
  • Good to know: No tents allowed
Sailboat anchored in Bodega Bay Harbor in California
Bodega Bay Harbor | Picture credit score: Jessica Iler

Porto Bodega RV Park is positioned on the northeastern finish of Bodega Harbor, proper on the water’s edge alongside 16 acres of the bay close to a marina, the place you’ll discover varied leisure and mountaineering alternatives close by.

Porto Bodega Marina & RV Park affords 58 RV websites and 12 are waterfront.

Every website has a picnic desk and hearth pit and there’s additionally a clubhouse for group use.

Plan your Porto Bodega RV Park Keep

  • For a reservation: Go to their web site.
  • Location: 1500 Bay Flat Highway, Bodega Bay, California
  • Issues to do at Porto Bodega RV Park: Ginoccio’s restaurant, positioned proper on the different finish of the car parking zone, has superb breakfast and lunch. Go crabbing and fishing on the pier. Take a look at Doran Seashore with its rock wall jetty and the attractive seashores to the north.

What to Pack for Bodega Bay Tenting

Bodega Bay experiences a light coastal local weather characterised by comparatively average yearly temperatures. The area is influenced by the Pacific Ocean, which helps regulate the temperatures and creates a maritime local weather.

The common excessive temperature throughout the day in summer time and spring ranges from the mid-60s to low 70s Fahrenheit (18-23°C), whereas lows are within the mid-50s to low 60s Fahrenheit (12-17°C). Summer time months are usually dry and foggy mornings are widespread.

When you is likely to be tenting throughout the summer time, you continue to must ensure you have a good sleeping bag for when temps dip within the night. Packing further blankets to be protected is a superb thought, together with a groundsheet and sleeping pad on your tent to offer further insulation and luxury.

You’ll need a lot of layers for tenting and mountaineering, together with an insulated jacket for cold nights, a sunhat, and sun shades. And ensure you deliver a showering swimsuit for all of the beautiful Bodega Bay seashores and perhaps a pair of binoculars for whale-watching.

Automobile Tenting Necessities Packing Checklist

Under are a couple of of my favourite items of automobile tenting gear and suggestions for the street:

Planning a California getaway? Take a look at a few of our favourite CA adventures:

Have you ever visited Bodega Bay? What Bodega Bay tenting ideas do it’s a must to share? What’s your favourite campground? Depart a remark beneath!

You will discover extra of Jessica’s work at CA Ladies Journey

Bearfoot Theory | Planning an unforgettable Bodega Bay camping trip? Pin this blog post! We've gathered the top campgrounds, must-see views, and insider tips to help you craft the perfect outdoor adventure in Bodega Bay. Start dreaming of starry nights and days filled with exploration and fun!



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