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Overview
Located near the town of Bodega Bay, Horseshoe Cove Beach is a beautiful semicircular beach with light brown sand and a rocky shoreline. This beach is located within a cove named Horseshoe Cove – Horseshoe Cove Beach is also a part of University of California’s Bodega Marine Reserve that is under the jurisdiction of University of California’s Natural Reserve System. The water near the beach is clear and the beach has a rich coastal biodiversity.
Activities
If you
are looking for another activity in the Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute,
the Bodega Marine Laboratory offers informative docent led tours to the public
- information regarding the tours can be found online at Coastal and Marine
Sciences Institute’s website. The tours
display the laboratory’s interesting aquariums and exhibits which highlight the
unique marine flora and fauna of Northern California – however, please note
that theze guided tour are currently closed.
If you are looking for a beach that offers unrestricted public access, we recommend visiting
the nearby Bodega Head Beach.
Parking
Unfortunately, access to the beach is only
open to scholars and researchers for
carrying out research within the reserve – the visits of these researchers must
be approved by the Reserve Research Coordinator of University of
California Davis’ Coastal and
Marine Sciences Institute.
If you are looking for access to the beach as an interested researcher,
you can contact the Reserve Research Coordinator via e-mail at jlsones@ucdavis.edu.
The reason behind the restriction on Horseshoe Cove Beach’s access is for
the preservation of its biodiversity and landscape for research and
conservation purposes.
Attractions
There are many attractions near Horseshoe Cove Beach. Westside Regional Park is a waterfront recreational park that offers many fun activities including camping, boating, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and picnicking – the park also offers amazing views of the Bodega Harbor. Saint Teresa of Avila Church was constructed in 1860 and is one of the oldest churches of Sonoma County that is still in use. The church was also the subject of the famous photographer Ansel Adams’ 1953 photograph “Church and Road.” In addition, Saint Teresa of Avila Church also featured in the 1963 Alfred Hitchcock movie The Birds and it is a local historical landmark - as an interesting fact, locals say that Hitchcock often attended church services in Saint Teresa of Avila Church while filming the movie.
Bodega Head is a nearby rocky coastal headland that has walking trails – these walking trails offer an interesting insight into this headland’s unique topography and biodiverdity. You can see many kinds of animals while hiking on Bodega Head including seals, seabirds, and migrating whales – this headland also offers amazing views of the Pacific Ocean and it also has picnic tables. If you are looking for another attraction near Horseshoe Cove Beach, The Potter Schoolhouse is a former heritage schoolhouse that was built in 1873 – this beautiful schoolhouse was featured in the 1963 Alfred Hitchcock movie The Birds. Please note that this schoolhouse is now a private residence and we recommend avoiding disturbing the local residents here while exploring this unique heritage building.
Restaurants
If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Horseshoe Cove Beach. Terrapin Creek is an upscale restaurant that serves delicious gourmet dishes with international culinary influences for lunch and dinner including seafood, pastas, poultry dishes, steaks, burgers, and salads. The restaurant has been also praised in a variety of publications including the MICHELIN Guide and ZAGAT. Gourmet Au Bay is a waterfront restaurant that has a casual ambiance and it serves a variety of deliciious dishes including seafood, salads, and pizzas – the restaurant’s dishes are cooked in an exquisite wood-fired oven. The restaurant is also known for serving amazing wines. Spud Point Crab Company is a popular restaurant that offers excellent seafood dishes and is famous for its crab sandwiches and clam chowder. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Horseshoe Cove Beach, the modestly priced The Dog House offers a variety of delicious hot dogs.
Hotels
If you are looking for a hotel near Horseshoe Cove Beach, there are many great nearby options. The 4-Star The Lodge at Bodega Bay offers many amenities including a restaurant, complimentary coffee and evening wine tasting sessions, a lounge with a firepit, a fitness center, a spa, a pool, a hot tub, and a sauna. A more affordable and interesting option is the Chanslor Ranch that is set in a 381-acre nature preserve that offers spectacular views of rugged northern California. The ranch also offers accommodation in tents (showers and restrooms are available at the ranch) and cabin. In addition, the ranch also organizes many fun activities including horse riding, kayaking, and fishing and guests can also explore an interesting barn located within the ranch premises. Another moderately-priced hotel is the 3-Star Bodega Bay Inn that offers many amenities including a living room (with a DVD library, board games, books, magazines, and complimentary popcorn and coffee), a sculpture garden, a water fountain, picnic tables, lounge chairs, and a fire pit. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Horseshoe Cove Beach, the modestly priced Bodega Harbor Inn offers many amenities including a lawn with ocean views, picnic tables, barbecue area, lounge chairs, a garden, and seasonal complimentary continental breakfast.
Basic Details
All Amenities at Horseshoe Cove Beach
Amenities
Restrooms
Activities
Rentals
Food
Access
Car Access
Parking - Paid
Features
Horseshoe Cove Beach - Beach Map
Top Traveler Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Surf through our FAQs to help you find your perfect beach!
Does Horseshoe Cove Beach have parking? If so, is it free or paid?
Horseshoe Cove Beach does not have dedicated parking but has street parking near the entrance.
Does Horseshoe Cove Beach have lifeguards?
No, Horseshoe Cove Beach does not have lifeguards monitoring the beach – please be careful when swimming on this beach.
Is Horseshoe Cove Beach a family-friendly beach?
Horseshoe Cove Beach is not family-friendly and does not have restrooms, lifeguards, and nearby food.
Is Horseshoe Cove Beach good for swimming?
Horseshoe Cove Beach is not generally considered a good swimming beach.
Does Horseshoe Cove Beach have restrooms?
Restrooms are conveniently available on or adjacent to the beach at Horseshoe Cove Beach.
Is Horseshoe Cove Beach a nude beach?
No, Horseshoe Cove Beach maintains a family-friendly atmosphere and does not allow nude bathing.
Is there food near Horseshoe Cove Beach?
Horseshoe Cove Beach does not have nearby food options – please plan your beach day accordingly.
What are the activities at Horseshoe Cove Beach?
Horseshoe Cove Beach is not known for any activities in particular.
Does Horseshoe Cove Beach have accommodations for people with disabilities?
Horseshoe Cove Beach does not have accommodations for people with disabilities.
Is Horseshoe Cove Beach a dog-friendly beach?
Horseshoe Cove Beach is not dog-friendly.
Is Horseshoe Cove Beach good for surfing?
Horseshoe Cove Beach is not generally considered to be good for surfing.
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