Introduction to Bodega Bay and the town of Bodega

1 North

Bodega Bay:  A Little Background

Claimed for England in 1579 by Sir Francis Drake and later discovered by Don Juan del la Bodega of Spain, the Bodega Bay area was settled in the early 1800s when Russian explorers arrived to trap sea otters.  It is the second largest salmon port on the Pacific coast and the busiest commercial fishing port between San Francisco and Eureka.

But it is probably best known as the location for the 1962 Alfred Hitchcock film The Birds.  Built as a schoolhouse in 1873 but now a private residence, the old Potter School featured in the movie still stands about 5 miles south of town in the tiny inland town of Bodega, as does St. Theresa’s Church, a picturesque building dating from 1859 that is Sonoma County’s oldest continuously active Catholic church and a state historical landmark.  The movie’s Bodega General Store is now the Bodega Country Store. 

the Potter School in the 1962 Alfred Hitchcock film "The Birds"
in Bodega, California

St. Theresa's Church in the 1962 Alfred Hitchcock film "The Birds"
in Bodega, California

More pandemic updates.

More things to do in Bodega Bay.

More things to do along Highway 1.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2020 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Bodega Bay: Fisherman's Cove; restaurant review

1 North

Fisherman's Cove  

1850 Bay Flat Rd., (707) 377-4238.  B-L daily; $$.

exterior line at Fisherman's Cove in Bodega Bay, California

Follow the marina road to reach this popular spot that is almost at the end of the road.  Basically a seaside shack, Fisherman's Cove is famous for its fresh seafood.  Choice seating is at picnic tables outside overlooking the marina, but inside seating sans view is also available next to their bait and tackle shop.  When possible ingredients are fresh and local, meat is hormone free, and vegetables are organic.  Particularly praised items include barbecued local oysters, a crab sandwich with dill-green onion aioli, salmon bisque, and a tri-tip sandwich.  A beer-battered avocado with chips will interest vegetarians.  My hunny and I shared a spectacular crab sandwich, some tasty coleslaw, and a side of gently spiced escabeche (housemade pickled carrots).

exterior overview at Fisherman's Cove in Bodega Bay, California

lunch spread at Fisherman's Cove in Bodega Bay, California

2020 pandemic update:  During this period when we are emerging from shutdown, we need to discover activities that feed our spirit.  Remember always to check current regulations by visiting each destination's website.
          This restaurant features separate windows for ordering and pick-up, with social-distancing marking points.  When I visited, most customers wore masks except when they were dining.  Tables are all outside on a patio and are separated, but groups do tend to fill bigger ones and this causes some crowding.  We dined tucked away in a corner and felt safe, but I wouldn’t have wanted to share a table with other people by seating two parties at either end, which some people were doing.  If I had it to do over, I would have arrived here outside the lunch rush hour--11:30 a.m. or earlier, or 2 p.m. or later.  Originally we were going to take our lunch to go and find a scenic spot to sit in our car and eat.  That is still a great idea.

outdoor seating at Fisherman's Cove in Bodega Bay, California

More pandemic updates.

More things to do in Bodega Bay.

More things to do along Highway 1.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2020 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Bodega Bay: Children’s Bell Tower; things to do

1 North

Children’s Bell Tower  

2255 Hwy. 1, at N end of town behind the Bodega Bay Community Center.

Children’s Bell Tower in Bodega Bay, California

Set in a quiet spot way back from Highway 1--you really have to look for it--the Children's Bell Tower abuts a forest of Monterey cypress and eucalyptus trees.  An unpaved path from the parking lot passes a stone bench under a cypress tree on which hangs an interesting assortment of decorations left by visitors--school bells, church bells, ship bells, mining bells, cowbells.

flower-bedecked path leading to Children’s Bell Tower in Bodega Bay, California

Children’s Bell Tower in Bodega Bay, California

bench at Children’s Bell Tower in Bodega Bay, California

This 18-foot-high bell tower was built with funds donated by Italian citizens in 1994 as a monument to 7-year-old Nicholas Green, a local Bodega Bay child who while vacationing in Italy with his family was tragically shot to death by highway robbers.  This story shocked and then warmed the hearts of people throughout the world when his parents decided to donate his organs to seven Italians who were waiting for transplants.

Children’s Bell Tower in Bodega Bay, California

Nicholas Green memorial at Children’s Bell Tower in Bodega Bay, California

offerings at Nicholas Green memorial at Children’s Bell Tower
in Bodega Bay, California

memorial plaque at Children’s Bell Tower in Bodega Bay, California

The three-tiered tubular steel tower holds 140 bells with clappers that chime--sometimes faintly, sometimes loudly--in the wind.  Most were donated by Italians, and they were flown in by the Italian Air Force.

bells at Children’s Bell Tower in Bodega Bay, California

bells at Children’s Bell Tower in Bodega Bay, California

bells at Children’s Bell Tower in Bodega Bay, California

bells at Children’s Bell Tower in Bodega Bay, California

The 30-inch-high centerpiece bell is from the Marinelli foundry in Italy, which has made bells for the papacy for more than a thousand years.  It is engraved with the name of Nicholas and the seven transplant recipients and was blessed by Pope John Paul II at the foundry.

centerpiece bell at Children’s Bell Tower in Bodega Bay, California

Coastal Prairie Trail

(707) 785-2377.  Sunrise-sunset.  Free parking.

The paved 1.1-mile Coastal Prairie Trail is bike- and pedestrian-friendly as well as accessible.  It begins here and concludes at Keefe Avenue.  In between it offers prairie and coastal views and connects to Sonoma Coast State Park, the Salmon Creek neighborhood, and south Salmon Creek Beach.

Coastal Prairie Trail sign by Children’s Bell Tower in Bodega Bay, California

2020 pandemic update:  During this period when we are emerging from shutdown, we need to carefully consider activities to feed our spirit.  Always visit a destination's website to check current pandemic regulations and schedules.

          I had wanted to visit this site ever since I heard about it in the 1990s.  I did pass by several times in the past and missed it.  This time I was determined not to leave town until I found it.  I'm so glad I was persistent.  I ran into only four people while I was here.  Social distancing was observed, but two people did not wear masks.  Note that there is a port-a-potty near the parking lot.  

More pandemic updates.

More things to do in Bodega Bay.

More things to do along Highway 1.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2020 Carole Terwilliger Meyers