Bodega Head Beach(Bodega Bay, Sonoma Coast State Park)

Located in the town of Bodega Bay, Bodega Head Beach is a small, narrow, and rocky beach that is a part of Sonoma Coast State Park. Bodega Head Beach has an incredible vista point that provides beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean, Bodega Bay, and Bodega Harbor – and is a popular destination for gray whale watching. This beach is near the San Andreas Fault and features sandy beaches nestled among rocky outcrops, perfect for observing migrating whales.  

Bodega Head Beach offers many amenities including restrooms, picnic tables, trails, and rock arches. The area is also part of the state marine conservation area, adding to its ecological significance.

There are a couple of fun activities at Bodega Head Beach including whale watching, hiking on various trails, and picnicking. The beach's vantage points are ideal for observing the diverse marine life and the beautiful scenery.

Getting to Bodega Head Beach is easy – after you get off of Coast Highway, drive down to Westshore Road to reach a free parking lot that is within walking distance to the beach.

If you are looking for attractions near Bodega Head Beach, you can drive three minutes to Bodega Marine Reserve, a natural and marine reserve that is spread across 362 acres and is a great vista point for taking Instagram-worthy pictures and viewing the North Pacific Ocean and Bodega Bay. For those interested in small sandy coves, the reserve offers several hidden spots perfect for a quiet retreat. The Links at Bodega Harbour is a beautiful 18-hole oceanfront golf course that hosts many tournaments and features a golf shop, gallery, restaurant, yacht club, and live music. The Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center is dedicated to the works of Charles M. Schulz, creator of the Peanuts comic strip, and is home to a three-and-a-half-ton sculpture depicting the evolution of Snoopy – a character in the comic, Schulz’s studio, and three rotating galleries. Another great attraction near Bodega Head Beach is Elk Reserve, a national park that is an awesome destination for picnicking, camping, and watching Tule Elk, pelicans, seagulls, and cormorants. For those interested in more secluded experiences, the area offers numerous small sandy coves and vantage points along hiking trails for a more intimate encounter with nature.

If you get hungry, you can drive 20 minutes to many restaurants near Bodega Head Beach. The American restaurant-bar Coastal Kitchen serves burgers, sandwiches, soups, cocktails, beers, and has a long wine list. Tomales deli + café is a vegetarian-friendly restaurant that offers breakfast, brunch, and lunch options. Another good restaurant near Bodega Head Beach is Huria’s, a woodfired restaurant featuring NY-inspired pizza Napoletana, North African dishes, wine, and desserts.

If you are looking for a hotel near Bodega Head Beach, you can drive 10 minutes to many nearby hotels. The 3-Star Bodega Bay Inn welcomes pets and features ocean view rooms, fire pits, and a sculpture garden. If you are looking for affordable hotels near Bodega Head Beach, the 3-Star pet-friendly hotel Tomales Bay Resort & Marina offers a pool and kayaking, biking, canoeing, and hiking tours – and the 2-Star Bodega Harbor Inn is a pet-friendly hotel.