Exploring Bodega Bay on California’s Scenic Sonoma Coast
Over the years, the movie “The Birds” has developed somewhat of a cult following worldwide and locals say people from as far away as Germany and France come to their town, asking to see “the buildings used in the movie.” There are actually two towns – Bodega and Bodega Bay. The creepy schoolhouse used in the movie is actually located in the small town of Bodega (located about seven miles inland from Bodega Bay.) Movie buffs remember Tippi Hedren and Suzanne Pleshette leading frightened children from the schoolhouse as menacing birds watched them from the school’s jungle gym – then screaming and running frantically down the lane as the birds started to attack. For many years, the schoolhouse fell into ruins, but it was resurrected for a while as a bed and breakfast inn. Today, it is a private residence. Visitors are welcome to come by and take pictures, but are not allowed on the grounds. It is located at 17110 Bodega Lane. In Bodega Bay, the original Tides Restaurant where patrons in the movie watched the gas station being blown up, was burned down, but it was reconstructed (however, the building today doesn’t resemble the one in the movie.)
Bodega Bay, on California’s Pacific Coast Highway, is a wonderful place to relax and watch the sunset, go snorkeling or explore tide pools. The beaches here are rocky, rugged and often shrouded in fog, giving them a mysterious quality. (Definately not the wide, sunny beaches of southern California.) The pace here is leisurely and it’s usually recommended you take a sweater when strolling the beaches. The weather can be unpredictable on the northern Sonoma Coast and nights are usually crisp – perfect snuggling weather. Days often begin with a low coastal fog, but it usually burns off later, giving way to plenty of sunshine. Romantic sunset bay cruises are available in Bodega Bay, as are deep-sea fishing and whale watching charter boats. On sunny days, kites often dot the skies over the rocky beaches and Westside Regional Park is a good place for a picnic. Spring brings whales migrating north past Bodega Head State Park. Come to Bodega Bay for the solitude and to spend lazy afternoons wrapped around a good book in a beachfront hotel. Come for the spectacular scenery and beachcombing. Don’t come for the nightlife or shopping, or you’ll be disappointed. Fishing remains a mainstay of the community’s economy and several restaurants can be found along Highway 1 and in Bodega Bay that offer inexpensive delicacies of the sea.
A good way to spend an afternoon in Bodega Bay is to drive north on California Highway 1, or the Pacific Coast Highway, to Jenner-by-the-Sea. Highway 1 hugs the coastline, twisting and turning, offering some of the most beautiful ocean scenery in the state. (It’s also slow going, so don’t be in a hurry.) “Jenner-by-the-Sea,” is about 9 miles north of Bodega Bay. For those looking for a quicker way to reach Jenner, the fastest route from San Francisco is via Highway 101 across the Golden Gate Bridge through Santa Rosa to the River Road West. Situated on the Sonoma Coast at the mouth of the Russian River, Jenner-by-the Sea is another great place to rest and relax and lose yourself in the spectacular natural environment. Activities include walks on the beach looking for driftwood and exploring tide pools. Whale watching is available January through April, and seal watching is available any time of the year. The Russian River flows between Goat Rock Beach and Jenner Beach into the Pacific Ocean, and the two beaches together are home to a colony of more than 300 California Harbor Seals.
The river estuary at Jenner also provides some of the best bird watching opportunities along the West Coast. Other attractions include visiting the Sonoma Wine Country, which is just 30 to 90 minutes away from Bodega Bay. Also, if you continue north on Highway 1, you’ll come to historic Fort Ross, a Russian outpost established in 1812 and a fascinating site for anyone interested in California history. Fort Ross is one of the oldest historic park systems in the state of California and contains one original structure and five restored buildings. A Visitor Center and Museum is also located on site. Sandy Cove and North Cove are two beach access areas at Fort Ross where tide pooling is available at certain times. (Caution is advised when visiting these beaches due to “sleeper waves” that can quickly descend upon the beach) Another interesting note – Fort Ross sits on the ocean side of the San Andreas Fault Zone and the 1906 earthquake that destroyed San Francisco was centered near here. Many of the original structures at the fort were destroyed at that time.
