Guide to Camping in Bodega Bay

Camping in Bodega Bay, one of the most gorgeous spots on the Sonoma County coast, is an experience unlike any other. Here you can hike epic beach trails, go fishing or sail the bay, paddle a kayak, explore tide pools, and observe wildlife. At night you can chat around the campfire into the wee hours, stroll the sand and stargaze at dark, or snuggle up and listen to the lapping of Bodega Harbor or the rolling waves of the Pacific.

When visiting, please remember to camp responsibly. Together, we can protect and preserve the beauty and natural resources of Sonoma County for generations to come. Check out our page on Sustainable Travel, and look over the Leave No Trace Seven Principles.

The Bodega Bay Area

The southernmost point on the Sonoma County coast, Bodega Bay is a truly charming fishing village offering fishing charters and boat tours, as well as several laid-back, casual seafood restaurants (most with outdoor seating).

Note that Bodega Bay is often confused with the hamlet of Bodega, which is actually a 10-minute drive inland from the coast. Sebastopol is the largest town near Bodega Bay, a roughly 20-minute drive inland.

From Bodega Bay, the Sonoma Coast State Park unfurls for 17 miles along Highway 1, offering a fabulous collection of coves, trails, and ocean views. There are two campgrounds within the park (Bodega Dunes and Wright’s Beach), while four other campgrounds are clustered around Bodega Harbor.  

Bodega Bay Area Campgrounds 

Westside Regional Park

On the southwest edge of Bodega Harbor, this park offer 38 bay-view campsites (both tent and RV). You’ll find a generator and potable water, as well as restrooms with flush toilets, coin-operated showers, and electrical outlets. There are wheelchair-accessible family camping areas, and a wheelchair-accessible kayak launch. Dogs are allowed on leash, for a fee. (2400 Westshore Road, 707-875-3540)

WHILE YOU’RE HERE: Take a walk from the campground to the cliff-top trails of Bodega Head, the southern tip of Sonoma Coast State Park. The ocean views are legendary but the winds can be strong; be sure to bring along a jacket or sweatshirt (and even a hat) at any time of year. 

Doran Beach Campground 

At the very southern edge of Bodega Harbor, the golden-sand beach at Doran Regional Park stretches for two miles between Bodega Harbor and the open ocean. The campground here offers 120 year-round tent and RV campsites, which are equipped with potable water, restrooms, electrical outlets (but not hook-ups), and coin-operated showers. Dogs are allowed on leash only. Reservations are required. (201 Doran Beach Road, 707-875-3540) 

WHILE YOU’RE HERE: Fly a kite, build a sandcastle, or ride horses from nearby Chanslor Stables. Use the park’s boat launch for sailing, kayaking, or stand-up paddle boarding, and visit the west end’s rock jetty for fishing. And be sure to stroll the Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail, which runs along the Bodega Bay salt marsh, keeping a lookout for geese, ducks, sandpipers, grebes, swallows, and hummingbirds. 

Porto Bodega RV Park

At the northeastern end of Bodega Harbor, right on the water’s edge, Porto Bodega offers 58 RV sites; 12 are waterfront (with 30/50 amp service, sewer, and water) and only 13 lack hook-ups. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit, and you’ll find a clubhouse for group use. Leashed dogs are allowed, and there’s a dog walk area at the campground. (1500 Bay Flat Road, 707-875-2354)

Bodega Bay RV Park 

Just north of the harbor, Bodega Bay RV offers 71 RV sites (55 with full hook-ups), as well as restrooms with hot showers, two clubhouses, and laundry facilities. Play bocce or horseshoes, rent a fire ring, and avail yourself of the free wifi. Leashed dogs are allowed, and there’s a fenced dog run. (2001 Coast Highway 1, 707-875-3701)

WHILE YOU’RE HERE: Both of these RV parks are surrounded by some of Bodega Bay’s favorite restaurants, making it easy to stroll to a meal made by someone other than yourself. Bodega Bay RV Park is near La Bodeguita (Mexican cuisine), while Porto Bodega is near Ginochio’s Kitchen and wine bar/kitchen Gourmet Au Bay. 

Bodega Dunes Campground 

Overlooking the northern end of Bodega Harbor, a 10-minute drive from most area eateries, this year-round campground has 99 tent campsites. Well-spaced sites offer seclusion, and you can park your car right near your tent. Park rangers will sell you firewood for the fire pits, and you’ll have use of a portable cook stove, onsite hot showers, potable water filling stations, and multiple restrooms with electrical outlets. Leashed dogs and campfires are allowed in the campground, but not on the beach itself. Reservations are strongly recommended. (2485 Highway 1, 707-875-3483)

WHILE YOU’RE HERE: Watch Western Snowy Plovers, cute little gray-and-white endangered shorebirds who make their home on this beach, bop and scurry across the golden sand. 

Wright’s Beach Campground 

The largest sandy beach between Bodega Bay and the Russian River, Wright’s Beach has 27 oceanfront tent camping spots. Campsites are equipped with restrooms, picnic tables, food lockers and a fire ring, but for showers and potable water filling areas, you’ll want to head 5 miles south to Bodega Dunes. Dogs are allowed on leash only. Reservations are recommended. (7095 Highway 1, 707-875-3483)

WHILE YOU’RE HERE: Outdoor activities here include whale watching (from January through May), hang gliding, and hiking the Kortum Trail, an easy, cliff-side jaunt that stretches about 4-1/2 miles roundtrip between Wright’s Beach and Blind Beach. The Kortum trailhead is found between the two beaches, at Shell Beach — itself a great spot for beachcombing and tide pools. 

A Note on Groceries

If you’re planning to camp in Bodega Bay for a few days and prepare your own meals, you’ll likely want to stock up on groceries before you arrive. You can visit Bohemian Market in Occidental (a roughly 20-minute drive), or Andy’s Produce Market in Sebastopol on your way to the coast; otherwise, in Bodega Bay proper, you can pick up supplies at the Pelican Plaza Grocery & Deli or Diekmann’s Bay Store. Also, the Bodega Bay Community Farmers Market is held Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Memorial Day weekend through October. 

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Written by Melanie Wynne