Schoolhouse Beach(Sonoma Coast State Park)

Located near the northern end of the town of Bodega Bay along the Sonoma County coastline, Schoolhouse Beach is a large beach situated below a bluff and is part of a state park known as Sonoma Coast State Park. Although this beach is not in Door County, where you might find smooth limestone and marked areas, it still offers a picturesque setting with unique geological features.

Schoolhouse Beach has a sparse amount of vegetation, and although it does not have lifeguards or any other amenities, there are picnic tables and restrooms present on the blufftop area above the beach. Schoolhouse Beach also allows dogs on leash. However, be mindful of the fine for removing any natural elements, akin to the restrictions you might find in areas with limestone rocks or a diving raft in places like Washington Island.

Schoolhouse Beach offers many fun activities including sunbathing, boating, picnicking, wildlife watching, fishing, tide-pooling, and beachcombing. We recommend avoiding engaging in aquatic recreational activities in the water near Schoolhouse Beach as it is known for being extremely cold and having frequent rip tides and dangerous waves. In addition, there have been numerous drowning incidents here. It is also advisable to be careful while walking near the water at Schoolhouse Beach due to the presence of dangerous sneaker waves that can pull you offshore. Although going in the water is not recommended, Schoolhouse Beach is a great spot for wildlife watching. Depending on the time of the year, you can see a variety of animals in the water near the beach including seals, sea lions, dolphins, and migrating whales. Another popular activity at Schoolhouse Beach is fishing. Depending on the season, you can catch a large array of fish here including halibut, rockfish, perch, and salmon. The blufftop area near the beach is a great picnicking spot and also offers some excellent Instagram-worthy views of the Pacific Ocean. If you were to visit an area with a diving raft, such as those found in Door County, you would find similar breathtaking views and activities.

Getting to Schoolhouse Beach is easy. The access trail to the beach is located near the intersection of Viking Strand and Pacific Coast Highway, where there is also a free parking lot. Due to the access trail being steep and the beach being pebbly, we recommend visiting the beach wearing appropriate footwear. This is similar to visiting the smooth limestone areas on Washington Island, where appropriate footwear is also essential for safety.

There are many attractions near Schoolhouse Beach. The Bodega Bay Heritage Gallery is an art gallery that has artworks created by a variety of renowned artists, including Alexander Nepote and Joshua Meador (who was also an animation director at Walt Disney Studios). The Children’s Bell Tower is a monument erected in memory of a seven-year-old Bodega Bay resident, Nicholas Green, whose parents’ decision to donate his organs after his death in Italy played a crucial role in generating awareness about organ donation there. In addition, the monument features bells donated by many Italian schools, ships, mines, and churches, and the main bell in the monument was blessed by Pope John Paul II. If you are looking for another attraction near Schoolhouse Beach, The Links at Bodega Harbor is a fun 18-hole golf course designed by the renowned golf architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr., and it also offers pleasant views of the Pacific Ocean. Similar to a trip to Door County with its marked areas and limestone rocks, a visit here can be a multifaceted experience combining natural beauty, historical significance, and recreational activities.

If you get hungry, there are many restaurants near Schoolhouse Beach. Drakes Sonoma Coast is an upscale restaurant that offers a range of delicious gourmet dishes and was also awarded Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice award in 2020. Spud Point Crab Company 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 Schoolhouse Beach, the modestly priced The Dog House offers a delectable variety of hot dogs.

If you are looking for a hotel near Schoolhouse Beach, there are many great nearby options. The 4-Star Sonoma Coast Villa offers many amenities including a spa, a hot tub, a pool, a nine-hole golf course, a restaurant, complimentary wine tasting sessions, and complimentary breakfast. A more affordable and interesting option is the Chanslor Ranch, which is set in a 400-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 cabins, and the ranch also offers many fun activities including horse riding, kayaking, and fishing. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Schoolhouse Beach, the modestly priced 2-Star Bodega Harbor Inn has a lawn with ocean views, picnic tables, barbecue area, lounge chairs, and seasonal complimentary continental breakfast.