The Sonoma Coast Visit
Bodega Bay in the Summer.
Travel Guide Sonoma County, California - Seasons of Sonoma County
Visit Sonoma Wine Country any times of year, and enjoy all the beautiful seasons in Sonoma County, California. Just north of San Francisco, Sonoma Wine Country enjoys a climate that is Mediterranean, meaning mild winters with green hillsides and yellow mustards in the vines as well as gentle summers perfect for exploring the rivers and coast, or enjoying a day among the redwoods.
Find out more about the seasons of Sonoma at sonomacounty.com/sonoma-seasons.
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DoubleTree by Hilton Sonoma Wine Country, Rohnert Park Hotels - California
DoubleTree by Hilton Sonoma Wine Country 4 Stars Rohnert Park, California Within US Travel Directory Next to the Foxtail Golf Club and minutes from a variety of wineries, this hotel in Rohnert Park, California offers on-site restaurant and guestrooms with coffeemakers.
Doubletree Hotel Sonoma Wine Country features a seasonal outdoor pool and Jacuzzi tub. Guests can also play a game of tennis or take advantage of the fitness centre at this hotel. After a busy day, guests can enjoy a meal in the Bacchus Restaurant & Wine Bar.
Award-wining wineries including Kendall Jackson and Gallo Sonoma are only a short drive from the Sonoma Doubletree Hotel. Guests can also explore the Armstrong Redwoods State Park or relax on the Bodega Bay.
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Hotel Location :
DoubleTree by Hilton Sonoma Wine Country, One Doubletree Drive CA 94928, USA
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California Coast Motorcycle Ride: Bodega Bay to Gualala
Ride with us along the California Coast from Bodega Bay to Gualala. 47 miles of awesome coastline on California's famed Highway 1. Part 38 of our 36 day Western America Motorcycle Tour.
Coast Inn and Spa, Fort Bragg Hotels - California
Coast Inn and Spa 3 Stars Fort Bragg, California Within US Travel Directory With a full-service spa and healing center, this Fort Bragg hotel also offers uniquely decorated rooms with free Wi-Fi. Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens is an 11-minute walk away.
Featuring red clay walls, each Coast Inn and Spa room includes a small fridge, microwave and coffee facilities. These charming rooms provide cable TV and air conditioning. The suite boasts a whirlpool tub.
Chong’s restaurant, located on site, offers fresh organic cuisine. The hotel also has an all natural organic vegetable garden guests can walk through.
MacKerricher State Park is 9.5 km from the Coast Inn. Nearby activities include horseback riding, biking, fishing and surfing.
A hot tub and a sauna are available in the healing center. Massages are offered at the Natural Healing Spa.
Hotel Location :
Coast Inn and Spa, 18661 North Highway 1 CA 95437, USA
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48 Hours in Jenner, California
The coastal village of Jenner, California offers stunning vistas, spectacular sunsets, and a chance to connect with nature along the Sonoma County coast. Kayak in the Russian River Estuary, home to Pacific harbor seals, brown pelicans, ospreys, great blue herons, and other wildlife; Hike along the headlands of the rugged Sonoma Coast and relax at one of the many sea and ocean-facing properties. See more:
The Birds 1963 ( FILMING LOCATION ) Alfred Hitchcock
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After filming Shadow of A Doubt in Santa Rosa in 1948, Alfred Hitchcock returned to Sonoma County in 1961 to find a remote coastal location for his next project The Birds. He chose Bodega Bay, with surrounding bleak treeless hills, quiet fishing harbor and fog. Based on a short story by Daphne DuMaurier, the original story took place in an English seashore village where murderous birds attacked the local villagers. Evan Hunter, who had written The Blackboard Jungle and Last Summer wrote the screenplay; Alfred Hitchcock financed the film from his successful television show.
Never had a director portrayed animals working in unison with intelligence. The Birds became the first horror/ fantasy film. Special effects, including mechanical birds, live and wild birds on strings, and optically altered film overlays of birds in flight made this a most frightening film. The fog did not always cooperate, so much of the film needed to be tinted gray. Nearly three years were required to complete work on the film for its release in 1963.
The 150 year old Potter School behind St. Theresa's Church five miles south of Bodega Bay in Bodega, was vacant at the time of the filming. After Alfred Hitchcock's crew repaired the exterior it was used for several scenes. Today it is a private residence and is sometimes open for tours. The school teacher's house was a façade erected during the filming. The Catholic Church, briefly visible in the film, was made famous when it was photographed by Ansel Adams.
Many of the shots of the children running from the schoolhouse were done on Taylor Street in Bodega Bay above the Diekmann's Bay Store with the original two story store visible at the bay's edge. Close ups of the running scene were set up at Universal Studios with the children running on a treadmill. Taylor Street is about a half a mile north of the Visitors Center.
Various restaurant scenes, portions of the gas station fire, and the boat dock scenes where filmed at the Tides Wharf and Restaurant. The actual fire was lighted in a parking lot at Universal Studios with a mock up of Highway One and the Tides Wharf. The fire was also filmed from a helicopter for film footage that was superimposed on a painting of a fishing village. The village center in the movie was a set. The Tides Wharf was completely rebuilt in the 1990's and is located across Highway One from the Visitors Center.
The ranch house on Westshore Road, part of the Gafney ranch that had occupied Bodega Head for nearly 100 years was used for exterior shots of the Brenner House. The derelict structure, now part of the U.C. Marine Laboratory in the Sonoma Coast State Beach, was repaired by the film crew and used for exterior shots, including the children's birthday party and the end of the film. The house has been demolished, but the ancient cedar trees look much the same as they did in The Birds. The cedar grove is across the harbor from the Visitors Center and is visible from Highway One.
The scenes of Tippi Hedren driving her Aston Martin into Bodega Bay were filmed on Bay Hill Road, about a mile and a half north of the Visitors Center. There is a guide book with more information about the filming of The Birds available at the Sonoma Coast Visitors Center in Bodega Bay.
Sebastopol California Walking Tour for Tourists and RVers
There are no campgrounds in Sebastopol, but it's on the way to the campgrounds in Guerneville, Duncan Mills and on the beaches, like at Bodega Bay. It's also near the KOA in Petaluma. (The KOA in Petaluma is very expensive, like $60-70 a night, and they pack you in like sardines. The campgrounds in Duncan Mills, like Casini Ranch, are much more scenic, like right up to the Redwoods, and closer to the beaches. Those are $50-$70 a night for RVs.) There are also some Sonoma county parks, like Lake Sonoma a little west of Healdsberg, that take RVs, and are about $35 a night.
Sebastopol is an eco friendly, socially conscious little town, saturated with kitchy and whimsical art, nice people, classic hippy style, great restraunts and organic and gourmet food, reasonably priced. They also have movies, lectures, music, and other entertainment on a regular basis. So if you are in Sonoma county, stop by Sebastopol, on Hwy 116 or Hwy12.
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Washington state parks offering new booking website for campers
The new site allows you to tailor your booking to find the perfect campsite for your trip.
Sonoma County is Open and Welcomes You
Sonoma County's wineries, restaurants, inns and resorts are ready to greet you. Come support our local businesses and find the best of Northern California. Visit sonomacounty.com/deals for latest offers.
Luxury Suites 235 - Sonoma County tourism video
The Birds 1963 ( FILMING LOCATION ) Alfred Hitchcock
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After filming Shadow of A Doubt in Santa Rosa in 1948, Alfred Hitchcock returned to Sonoma County in 1961 to find a remote coastal location for his next project The Birds. He chose Bodega Bay, with surrounding bleak treeless hills, quiet fishing harbor and fog. Based on a short story by Daphne DuMaurier, the original story took place in an English seashore village where murderous birds attacked the local villagers. Evan Hunter, who had written The Blackboard Jungle and Last Summer wrote the screenplay; Alfred Hitchcock financed the film from his successful television show.
Never had a director portrayed animals working in unison with intelligence. The Birds became the first horror/ fantasy film. Special effects, including mechanical birds, live and wild birds on strings, and optically altered film overlays of birds in flight made this a most frightening film. The fog did not always cooperate, so much of the film needed to be tinted gray. Nearly three years were required to complete work on the film for its release in 1963.
The 150 year old Potter School behind St. Theresa's Church five miles south of Bodega Bay in Bodega, was vacant at the time of the filming. After Alfred Hitchcock's crew repaired the exterior it was used for several scenes. Today it is a private residence and is sometimes open for tours. The school teacher's house was a façade erected during the filming. The Catholic Church, briefly visible in the film, was made famous when it was photographed by Ansel Adams.
Many of the shots of the children running from the schoolhouse were done on Taylor Street in Bodega Bay above the Diekmann's Bay Store with the original two story store visible at the bay's edge. Close ups of the running scene were set up at Universal Studios with the children running on a treadmill. Taylor Street is about a half a mile north of the Visitors Center.
Various restaurant scenes, portions of the gas station fire, and the boat dock scenes where filmed at the Tides Wharf and Restaurant. The actual fire was lighted in a parking lot at Universal Studios with a mock up of Highway One and the Tides Wharf. The fire was also filmed from a helicopter for film footage that was superimposed on a painting of a fishing village. The village center in the movie was a set. The Tides Wharf was completely rebuilt in the 1990's and is located across Highway One from the Visitors Center.
The ranch house on Westshore Road, part of the Gafney ranch that had occupied Bodega Head for nearly 100 years was used for exterior shots of the Brenner House. The derelict structure, now part of the U.C. Marine Laboratory in the Sonoma Coast State Beach, was repaired by the film crew and used for exterior shots, including the children's birthday party and the end of the film. The house has been demolished, but the ancient cedar trees look much the same as they did in The Birds. The cedar grove is across the harbor from the Visitors Center and is visible from Highway One.
The scenes of Tippi Hedren driving her Aston Martin into Bodega Bay were filmed on Bay Hill Road, about a mile and a half north of the Visitors Center. There is a guide book with more information about the filming of The Birds available at the Sonoma Coast Visitors Center in Bodega Bay.
Armstrong Woods - Russian River Guerneville, California
A short relaxing video of the Redwood Grove at Armstrong Woods, and the Russian River at Guerneville, California
Sonoma County Coast Getaway - Part 2
Join in for a romantic trip to the Sonoma County coast. The trip includes a night at the Timber Cove Inn in Jenner as well as lunch at the Bodega Bay Inn at the Tides restaurant.
What To Do In San Francisco
As the only hotel right on Union Square, The Westin St. Francis offers the most extraordinary experience.
Casa Bella Bodega Bay Best Vacation Rentals
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Casa BellaOceanfront home. Location, Location, Location!
Casa Bella is a very clean and private THREE bedroom, FOUR full bathroom custom built home recently updated in 2019, it's perched front and center above Portuguese Beach in Sereno Del Mar. Not a home insight to the West for 5,866 miles, just beautiful blue and turquoise Pacific waters! Comfortable for up to 6 guests, every room has unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy watching a variety of birds, ospreys, hawks, pelicans, seagulls, shorebirds, hummingbirds and fat California quail. Also an abundant of wildlife includes cottontail bunnies, deer, spotted fawns, foxes, migrating spouting whales, seals, and a resident Bobcat! During mid-October to early November if you're lucky, you might see some Monarch Butterflies in our yard that also migrate through Bodega Bay. Don't forget to bring your binoculars, cameras and flip-flops.
Beautifully landscaped with a fabulous protected courtyard allows you to relax and enjoy our Italian fountain, flowers, sitting area with padded outdoor furniture and beachy decorative pillows from Pier 1. Our 9' Market Umbrella has LED lights that gives a wonderful ambience, there's also a Weber charcoal BBQ, got oysters? Or looking out West from this lovely oceanfront home, shimmering seas looks like millions of sparkling diamonds, specular colorful sunsets, migrating whales and all the wildlife activity it has to offer. Also on the oceanside we have a round picnic table with another LED lighted 9' umbrella, and a gas fire pit with blue decorative glass!
As you enter this unforgettable home you will find a fully equipped remodeled gourmet kitchen, with new counter tops/back splash, all new appliances. New square white dinner, salad plates and bowls with plenty of beautiful serving dishes, pots and pans and utensils, you name it we have it! A - 3 setting KEURIG coffee maker with (regular Dark Roast Starbucks or Peet's Coffee) K-cups are supplied. Fresh linens, new fluffy towels, down pillows/comforters, comfy beds and bedding, all beds have 3 memory foam toppers. A formal dining room with stunning ocean views, family room and a spacious loft with a big sectional couch where you can sit and just stare at the ocean waves rolling towards you. Watch commercial fisherman, party boats, read a good book or check out a subscription to Coastal Living magazine. There is a 65 SAMSUNG/LED flat screen HDTV. We have a Bose Mini sound bar so you can listen to your own tunes from your iPhone, or iPad. For more entertainment, Comcast/Xfinity has lots of music channels and movies On Demand. We have a good selection of books, games, cards, puzzles, etc... On another note when you first arrive, with your iPhone go to your Settings. Scroll down to Phone and turn on Wi-fi Calling. When you set up this feature you'll be able to send/receive calls and text messages, our Wi-Fi password at Casa Bella is - guest (all lower case).
Getting to the beach, no problem! Just a minute walk to the State maintained path and steps to the sand and sea. You can beach comb, collect shells, beach glass and driftwood. Stroll down the scenic coastline and observe starfish, mussels clinging to the rough rocks, tide pools, and a lot more for you to explore! For day trips we are close to Point Reyes, Armstrong Woods State Park, Healdsburg, Napa and St Helena. If you're a golfer, The Links at Bodega Bay is very popular as is Northwood Golf Club in Monte Rio, beautiful course among the majestic Redwoods.
Local attractions include: Golfing, wine tasting, seasonal farmers market, hiking, biking, kayaking, sailing, surfing, sport fishing, paddle boarding and horse back riding on the beach. Visit local wineries, quaint little marinas, restaurants, shopping at boutique galleries, candy, kite, and saltwater taffy stores. Stop by our new Visitors Center on Hwy 1 for free maps, things to do, local art, as you pass through town, you can't miss it!
Spending the Holidays? We decorate our home from stem to stern and you will ooh and ah over our 12ft. Christmas tree with meticulously placed ornaments from around the world and 1,500 sparkling white lights!
salmon creek waterfall
beautiful waterfalls at Salmon Creek, central coast California !!
Travel Guide Sonoma County, California, United States - Festivals and Wine Events in Sonoma County
With more than 425 wineries, there is always an event happening in Sonoma County. Plan your Sonoma trip around a festival or event: Barrel Tasting, Bodega Bay's Fisherman's Festival, Sonoma Wine Country Weekend and Heart of Sonoma Valley Holiday Open House are great events not to miss. More info: sonomacounty.com
Get a free, updated Sonoma County, California Travel Guide: America/United States/SONOMACOUNTY
Sonoma County
Gailen's giving us a quick tour through wine country.
Napa Expo RV Park
For a complete run-down of the primary campgrounds and rv parks in Napa Valley, as well as a drive-through tour of each, go to: