5 Finest Campgrounds + Ideas For Your Go to – Bearfoot Idea

For those who’ve ever been to California, you’ve most likely seen among 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 proper 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 one 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 through 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 determine which one to decide on?

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

Why Go to Bodega Bay?

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

Nestled alongside the Pacific Ocean, the city provides 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 interesting things to do in Bodega Bay, it’s an excellent place to pitch a tent or roll up in an RV or campervan.

Guests can bask in varied out of doors actions, together with mountain climbing alongside scenic trails, birdwatching, kayaking, and fishing.

The realm’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 looking for leisure by the ocean or journey amidst nature, Bodega Bay guarantees an unforgettable coastal escape.

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

How one can 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 mountain climbing, and informal eating places.

Positioned 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.

Finest 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 provides a wide range of campgrounds catering to completely different preferences, from beachfront websites to family-friendly choices.

For out of doors lovers, this space boasts unimaginable hikes and trails that provide gorgeous views of the Harbor and Pacific. There may be additionally easy accessibility to among the greatest seafood eating places within the state.

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

1. Wright’s Seashore Campground

• Nice for: Tenting proper on the seaside
• Services: Restrooms, picnic tables, meals lockers, fireplace rings
• # of websites: 27
• Canines 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 are not any electrical or water hook-ups at Wright’s Seashore.

Wright’s Seashore sits on probably the most intensive seaside between Bodega Bay and the Russian River. It’s additionally situated 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 seaside tenting.

Campsites are geared up with restrooms, picnic tables, meals lockers, and a hearth ring, however no showers on website. If you need a bathe, drive 5 miles south to Bodega Dunes.

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

2. Bodega Dunes Campground

• Nice for: Longer stays
• Services: Potable water, restrooms, sizzling showers, picnic tables, meals lockers, fireplace rings, dump station
• # of websites: 99
• Canines allowed? Sure, on-leash
• Good to know: Leashed canines and campfires are allowed within the campground, however not on the seaside. Firewood for the primary pits is out there for buy

Bodega Dunes is my favourite tenting getaway spot in Bodega Bay and Sonoma Stake Park (and certainly one of our favorite California beach campgrounds generally). After I lived in San Francisco, I camped at Bodega Dunes in all of the completely different seasons, nearly 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 in a roundabout way on the seaside.

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

The spots are fairly giant however nonetheless nearby 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 will possibly get fairly chilly and damp in a single day, so cowl up any firewood and something you need to keep away from getting moist. Bodega Bay will get lots of fog within the morning, particularly throughout summer season.

Bodega Dunes can also be a wonderful location for its ten-minute drive to among the space’s greatest casual and fine-dining seafood restaurants.

This campground options 99 tent campsites, sizzling showers, flush bogs, and a number of other restrooms with electrical shops. Pleasant Park Rangers will promote you firewood for fireplace pits.

3. Doran Seashore Campground

• Nice for: Swimming & water sports activities
• Services: Potable water, restrooms, coin-operated showers, picnic tables, fireplace rings, dump station, boat launch
• # of websites: 120
• Canines allowed? Sure, on-leash
• Good to know: There are not any hook-ups and generator hours are 8am to 8pm

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

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

Whereas not all Bodega Bay seashores are protected for swimming, just a few – together with Doran Seashore – are. The lengthy and huge Doran Seashore is a great spot for households to get pleasure from enjoying within the ocean in the summertime.

As a result of it’s south-facing, the waves are normally mild and it’s the solely coastal seaside 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.

4. Westside Regional Park

• Nice for: Households
• Services: Potable water, restrooms, coin-operated showers, picnic tables, fireplace rings, dump station, boat launch
• # of websites: 46
• Canines allowed? Sure, on-leash (additional payment)
• Good to know: There are not any hook-ups and generator hours are 8am to 8pm

Westside Regional Park Campground sits on the southwest fringe of Bodega Harbor and offers a super setting for fishing and mountain climbing.

Westside Regional Park provides picnic tables, restrooms with flush bogs, and coin-operated showers, making it family-friendly and straightforward to camp. It is usually wheelchair-accessible.

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

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

Bodega Head, a large 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 provides wonderful panoramic views.

5. Porto Bodega RV Park

• Nice for: RVers & households
• Services: Potable water, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, fireplace rings, dump station, laundry, membership home, on-site restaurant, boat ramp
• # of websites: 58
• Canines allowed? Sure, on-leash
• Good to know: No tents allowed

Porto Bodega RV Park is situated 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 mountain climbing alternatives close by.

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

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

What to Pack for Bodega Bay Tenting

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

The typical excessive temperature through the day in summer season 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.

Whilst you may be tenting through the summer season, you continue to have to be sure you have a good sleeping bag for when temps dip within the night. Packing additional blankets to be protected is a good concept, together with a groundsheet and sleeping pad in your tent to offer extra insulation and luxury.

You’ll need a number of layers for camping and hiking, together with an insulated jacket for cold nights, a sunhat, and sun shades. And be sure you convey a washing go well with for all of the attractive Bodega Bay seashores and possibly a pair of binoculars for whale-watching.

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

You’ll find extra of Jessica’s work at CA Girls Travel

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