Postcard from Bodega Bay, California
The sun
is setting, the beach is almost empty, and we just can't pull ourselves
away. A slight breeze blows our way, carrying the fragrance of cook
fires from the nearby campground mingled with the salty air and
California sage. Now that we have our second home here, we can linger
for as long as we want, watching the sky turn magical colors.
About Bodega Bay, California
Located
on the coast of Northern California, only a short drive from the famed
Sonoma Wine Country, Bodega Bay is a world of its own. As you drive out
to the coast on Bodega Highway, signs of development and people give
way to sheep, cattle, green hills and spaciousness. And that is the
major asset out here. Space, lots of it, brilliantly protected by the
county from overdevelopment, making the homes here a veritable
treasure. The beaches vary from the calm and protected inlet at Doran
Beach to the wild and rugged surfer beaches along US 1. And on many
weekdays, you have the entire beach to yourself.
The town of Bodega Bay itself is one of the last commercial fishing
towns on this coast, and is in transition as commercial fishing yields
to tourist and recreational interests. However, nothing can change the
beauty and purity of the natural environment here. Hikes on Bodega
Head, long walks on miles of sandy beach or amid sand dunes, great
meals overlooking the bay, all create a quiet and perfect place for a
vacation home. Doran Beach offers a prime spot for families with small
children as the surf here is mellow, and the beach perfect for flying
kites and making sand mermaids.
Local History
Prior to 1775, the area around
Bodega Bay was inhabited predominantly by Native Americans of the
Miwok, or Olamentko, tribe. Then in 1775, a Spanish exploration landed
here, giving the captain's name to the bay. Later, as part of the
Russian settlements on the coast, an outpost was established in Bodega
Bay. Commercial fishing was a main attraction for most of the
years. Oysters, Salmon and helped up the area, attracting development
of the fishing industry. In 1960, a channel was dredged to allow more
access, and in 1961, a regional park was established at Doran Beach. In
1962, Alfred Hitchcock filmed his thriller "The Birds" in Bodega Bay,
giving it national renown. In 1981, Bodega Bay was included in
the designation of the National Marine Sanctuary, thus prohibiting oil
and gas exploration and protecting the wild life.
Commercial
fishing began a steady decline over the past 10 years. In 1988,
commercial fishermen had a total catch of more than 14 million pounds.
By 1995, tourism had replaced fishing as the major industry, and
housing prices soared. With a median home price of 349,500 in 1999,
Bodgea Bay became one of the top 250 most expensive towns to buy a home.
An Average Lifestyle
The
resident population here is small, with many people coming for week-end
vacations, and renting out their homes when not in use. By and large,
the feeling is one of quiet relaxation. Aside from golf and
wind-surfing, the major attraction is walking on the beach or watching
the sunset. The community puts on a variety of art and fun events
throughout the year. There are no big malls or tourist attractions to
pull one from the focus on nature. And nature never disappoints here. A
foggy morning creates a mystery walk on the beach; a stormy day lets
you be a participant in nature's wildest displays from the safety of
your home, and the sunny, cool days of winter create the perfect winter
vacation spot. For more urban activity, people go to the nearby towns
of Sebastopol, Santa Rosa and Healdsburg, where fine cuisine and
boutique shops are all available.
Things to Do
Walk on the Beach
Go wind-surfing or parasailing on Bodega Bay
Enjoy fresh fish at any of the restaurants on the bay
Hike Bodega Head trails through hills and sand dunes to Salmon Creek
Surf (great surfing for both beginners (at Doran Beach) and experts
Go deep sea fishing on a charter boat from the marina
Explore the Sonoma Coast from top to bottom
Visit the local art galleries
Go fly a kite
Have fun at the Bodega Fishermans Festival in April
Camp out on the Beach at the Regional Park Campsites
Near-By Excursions
Healdsburg, (50 minutes) with a variety of tasting rooms at vineyards and shops downtown
Sebastopol, (30 minutes) with outdoor farmers market, and wonderful health food store, theater, music and art
Point Reyes National Seashore (1 hour), a protected wildlife and nature refuge with miles and miles of trails
See Baby Sea Lions and their moms at Goat Rock, (20 miles up the coast)
Visit the 1800s Fort Ross Russian Settlement (1 hour up the coast)
Location
Located in West Sonoma County, on the Pacific Ocean.
Elevation: sea level
Size: 8 sq miles
Distance to other cities
San Francisco: 45 miles (1 hour 15 minute drive)
Santa Rosa, CA: 20 miles (40 minutes)
Petaluma, CA: 23 miles
Getting There
Fly
into San Francisco Airport, or Oakland Airport, and drive up 101 to
Petaluma, then take Petaluma-Bodega Highway to Bodega Bay.
Weather
Generally
it is cool at Bodega Bay. In the summer, you can actually have a
temperature drop of 30 degrees when you drive from inland locations
(Sebastopol, Santa Rosa) where it is in the 90s, to Bodega Bay, in the
60s. The ocean provides built in air-conditioning in the summer, and in
fact keeps the area warmer in winter compared to the in-land areas.
Average Temperature: Average High of 79 in July/August to Average Low of 37 in Dec/Jan
Average Rainfall: high of 11 inches in January, to 0 in July/August
Population
Population 1423
Median Age, 2000: 50.9
Total Population Within:
50 miles 200,000 (San Francisco)
Housing
There is limited housing in Bodega Bay,
as very little new development is planned or approved. Most housing is
single-family homes. About 27% of the homes are rental properties, with
a vacancy rate of 41%.
Median Costs: $445,700
Economics
Median Household Income: $56,818
Principle Industries: Tourism
Education
Nearest Universities are in Santa Rosa/Rohnert Park (Sonoma State University, Santa Rosa Junior College).