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Plan Your Visit to Bodega

Bodega rewards a half-day or full-day visit. The village is small and walkable, but pairs naturally with the wider Sonoma Coast.

Plan Your Visit

Things to do in Bodega,
and how to get there.

Bodega rewards a careful walk. The village is small but pairs naturally with the wider Sonoma Coast: Bodega Bay, Salmon Creek Beach, and the Sonoma Coast wineries are all within a short drive. Plan it as a half-day walk or a full day trip, and pick the best time to visit before you set out.

Getting there

~65 miles north of San Francisco · roughly 1.5 hours
~20 miles west of Santa Rosa · roughly 30 minutes on Bodega Highway from Sebastopol
From San Francisco: US-101 north to Petaluma, then west on Bodega Avenue and Highway 1
Public transit is limited; a car is recommended

On foot in the village

Park once near the Bodega Country Store and walk
The historic core is a single small loop
Allow 2-3 hours for a careful visit
Daylight hours are best for photography of the buildings

Visitor etiquette

The Potter Schoolhouse is a private residence: photos from the road only
St. Teresa of Avila is an active parish; respectful visitors welcome outside services
Watson School Historic Park: exterior viewing, picnic tables, restrooms
Calvary Cemetery is open during daylight hours

When to come

Spring (March-May): wildflowers, mild weather
Fall (September-November): harvest season, fewer visitors
Summer days warm; coastal fog rolls in from Bodega Bay
Open year-round; winter is quietest

Get directions Sonoma County Tourism

Suggested Itineraries

Half-Day Visit (3 to 4 hours)

Park near the Bodega Country Store. Walk to Potter Schoolhouse for the iconic “Birds” photo, then over to St. Teresa of Avila Church and the adjacent cemetery. Lunch or a drink at The Casino Bar & Grill. Browse the Country Store and Artisans' Co-op on the way out.

Full-Day Experience (6 to 8 hours)

Walk the historic core of the village in the morning: Potter Schoolhouse, St. Teresa's, the cemetery, the Country Store. Drive west to Bodega Bay for lunch (Ginochio's on Bay Flat Road for chowder, or fresh seafood at Spud Point Crab Company or The Tides Wharf). Coastal overlooks at Bodega Head in the afternoon, then back to Bodega village for sunset photography along Bodega Lane.

Weekend Getaway

Day one: Bodega village and immediate surroundings, with dinner at The Casino. Stay in Bodega Bay (Bodega Bay Lodge or Bodega Harbor Inn) or one of the local vacation rentals. Day two: hike at Bodega Head, beach time at Salmon Creek, an afternoon of wine tasting at Sonoma Coast Vineyards or Fort Ross Vineyard, and a quick stop at Wild Flour Bread in Freestone for sticky buns to take home.

Practical Notes

The Casino is cash-only, but there is an ATM inside the Casino, so you can hit the machine before ordering a beer.
No gas station. Fuel up in Bodega Bay or before leaving Sebastopol.
Cell coverage is limited; download offline maps before arriving.
Sonoma County Sheriff non-emergency dispatch: (707) 565-2121. Emergencies: 911.
From San Francisco: ~65 miles, roughly 1.5 hours via US-101 to Petaluma, then west via Bodega Avenue and Highway 1.

Suggested Itineraries

Half-Day Visit (3 to 4 hours)

Full-Day Experience (6 to 8 hours)

Weekend Getaway

Practical Notes

The Casino is cash-only, but there is an ATM inside the Casino, so you can hit the machine before ordering a beer.
No gas station. Fuel up in Bodega Bay or before leaving Sebastopol.
Cell coverage is limited; download offline maps before arriving.
Sonoma County Sheriff non-emergency dispatch: (707) 565-2121. Emergencies: 911.
From San Francisco: ~65 miles, roughly 1.5 hours via US-101 to Petaluma, then west via Bodega Avenue and Highway 1.